Public Policy Polling (1/3-4, registered voters):
Andrew Cuomo (D): 48
Peter King (R): 29
Undecided: 23Caroline Kennedy (D): 46
Peter King (R): 44
Undecided: 10
(MoE: ±3.7%)
PPP continues to do yeoman’s work for us in New York, and the results are not terribly surprising: after enduring a remarkably awkward media roll out over the past several weeks, Caroline Kennedy’s stock seems to have taken a big enough hit to cause a sufficient chunk of New York Democrats (a full 25%) to flock to King. Maybe that number would diminish if Kennedy got her act together in a 2010 election campaign, but it sure doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Cuomo, meanwhile, clearly has some fences of his own to mend; African-American voters support him over King by only the most tepid of margins: 35-23. Kennedy scores a much higher 63-28 among these voters, which is the only reason why she’s leading King in a hypothetical match-up.
In a hypothetical match-up I sincerely doubt there will the same sort of irrational attacks coming from our side about how horrible she is.
Furthermore, this reflects the reality that Kennedy has taken a disproportionate amount of scrutiny compared to Cuomo (or King for that matter). This is the low point for Kennedy and I’d point out that Andrew Cuomo has a tendency to not wear well in the long term (remember 2002 anyone?)
Kennedy will beat King by double digits if appointed, and I will make that bet with anyone here (providing Gov. Paterson appoints her).
Then he definitely runs, gets crushed and a Dem wins his House seat. Happy days.
Kennedy is not the best but people would warm to her if she did anything as minor as not be horrible. Cuomo is as popular as he gets now. He can only get worse. Damaged goods.
Hopefully if Patterson passes on Kennedy he’ll pass on celebrity altogether. There are several fine new York congresspeople who would do the state proud (and win in 2010.)
either ck is horrible, airhead princess or brilliant future ted kennedy. i do think that andrew cuomo is the safer pick since he’s run statewide and won a few times and based on her handful of performances so far she doesn’t even seem ready for the middle of the day much less prime time.