Paterson’s approval ratings haven’t improved

The Siena Research Institute just released a poll showing that 27 percent of those surveyed in a recent poll have a favorable opinion of Gov. David A. Paterson, which is a small decline from last month’s approval rating at 29 percent.

Paterson’s job performance rating is even lower, at 19 percent.

Also, 72 percent of those surveyed would prefer “someone else” to be elected over Paterson. Those surveyed indicate a large preference of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over Paterson in a hypothetical Democratic primary, respectively at 70 percent to 20 percent.

“By every measure, voters continue to keep Governor Paterson in the electoral cellar, and by every measure, Paterson’s numbers are within a handful of points or less of his all- time record lows,” said Siena New York pollster Steven Greenberg in a prepared statement. “It is now nine consecutive months of a favorable rating below 40 percent and eight consecutive months of a job approval rating below 25 percent."

Blame for the budget deficit from those surveyed went mostly to Democrats in the Legislature, with 19 percent blaming Democrats who control the Senate, 14 percent blaming Democrats who control the Assembly and 8 percent said it was both houses of the Legislature.

Although, 20 percent of those surveyed blamed the Legislature and Paterson.

"Clearly, there's blame for everyone involved," said Greenberg.

The poll was conducted Oct. 14 to 18 through phone calls to 624 registered voters and has a 3.9 percentage point margin of error.