FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2010

INTERVIEWS: DEAN DEBNAM 888-621-6988 / 919-880-4888 (serious media inquiries only please, other questions can be directed to Tom Jensen)

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLL: TOM JENSEN 919-744-6312

New Yorkers Wish They Had Spitzer Back

Raleigh, N.C. – Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, co-host of a so-far poorly rated new CNN primetime talk show, is equally disliked as his replacement and former Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson, but Empire State voters still think things would have been better off for the past two years had Spitzer stayed in office.

Spitzer has a negative 30-55 personal favorability rating, with Paterson’s job approval mark exactly the same. Paterson is in the bottom third of the 31 governors PPP has polled in 2010—ten are less popular, but 20 are better liked. Spitzer, at 40-42 to Paterson’s 30-53, is more popular with the two men’s own party members, but Paterson has more favor across the aisle, at 27-64 to Spitzer’s 18-72 among Republicans, and at 33-50 to Spitzer’s 24-60 with independents.

But by a 45-28 margin, voters would have preferred Spitzer still be governor, despite the personal scandals that prompted his resignation. Though less liked with the GOP and unaffiliated voters, New York Republicans and independents evidently feel things are on such a bad track in the state that they still would have rather had Spitzer, albeit by narrow 37-34 and 38-33 margins. Democrats overwhelmingly choose Spitzer, 53-22.

In a list of national figures who are current or former New York elected officials, Hillary Clinton is the best liked, with a 59-36 favorability grade to Rudy Giuliani’s 53-37, Mario Cuomo’s 51-35, Michael Bloomberg’s 43-37, and George Pataki’s 39-37. Giuliani is by far the best liked among independents and with his own base, though Clinton is close behind with her base.

“Eliot Spitzer has been openly flirting with a possible future return to elective office, and he would probably fare well in a Democratic primary,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But the numbers statewide are more an indication that New Yorkers overall would simply prefer anyone else to David Paterson than that they love Spitzer.”

PPP surveyed 592 likely New York voters from October 1st to 3rd. The survey’s margin of error is +/-4.0%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Complete results are attached, and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

Public Policy Polling Phone: 888 621-6988 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Web: www.publicpolicypolling.com Raleigh, NC 27604 Email: [email protected] New York Survey Results

Q1 If there was an election for Congress today, Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion would you vote Democratic or Republican? of Rudy Giuliani? Democratic...... 51% Favorable ...... 53% Not sure ...... 10% Republican...... 39% Unfavorable...... 37% Undecided...... 10% Q9 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of George Pataki? Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor David Paterson’s job performance? Favorable ...... 39% Not sure ...... 24% Approve ...... 30% Unfavorable...... 37% Disapprove...... 55% Q10 Do you think an Islamic community center should be built in lower Manhattan, two blocks Not sure ...... 15% from the former site of the World Trade Center? Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Yes ...... 32% Not sure ...... 13% of Eliot Spitzer? No ...... 55% Favorable ...... 30% Not sure ...... 15% Q11 Do you think developers have the right to build Unfavorable...... 55% an Islamic community center near the former Q4 Do you think New York would have been better site of the World Trade Center? off for the last 2 years with David Paterson or Yes ...... 59% Not sure ...... 11% Eliot Spitzer as Governor? No ...... 30% David Paterson ...... 28% Q12 Do you think a strip club should be built in Eliot Spitzer...... 45% lower Manhattan, two blocks from the former Not sure ...... 27% site of the World Trade Center? Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Yes ...... 28% Not sure ...... 18% of Michael Bloomberg? No ...... 54% Favorable ...... 43% Not sure ...... 21% Q13 Who did you vote for President in 2008? Unfavorable...... 37% John McCain...... 40% Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Barack Obama...... 54% of Hillary Clinton? Someone else/Don't remember ...... 6% Favorable ...... 59% Not sure ...... 5% Q14 If you are a liberal, press 1. If a moderate, Unfavorable...... 36% press 2. If a conservative, press 3. Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Liberal...... 27% of Mario Cuomo? Moderate...... 40% Favorable ...... 51% Not sure ...... 14% Conservative...... 33% Unfavorable...... 35%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Q15 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2. Q17 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2. If African-American, press 3. If other, press 4. Woman ...... 51% Hispanic...... 6% Man...... 49% Q16 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican, White ...... 75% press 2. If you are an independent or identify African-American ...... 13% with another party, press 3. Other...... 6% Democrat ...... 48% Q18 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to Republican...... 32% 45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are older than 65, press 4. Independent/Other...... 21% 18 to 29...... 7% 30 to 45...... 23% 46 to 65...... 46% Older than 65 ...... 24%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Generic Ballot Paterson Approval De m ocr atic 51% 7% 84% 41% Approve 30% 28% 31% 28% Republican 39% 84% 6% 43% Dis appr ove 55% 64% 50% 48% Unde cide d 10% 10% 9% 16% Not s ur e 15% 8% 19% 24%

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favorable 30% 15% 40% 41% David Paterson 28% 38% 21% 27% Unfavorable 55% 75% 42% 40% Eliot Spitzer 45% 31% 55% 42% Not s ur e 15% 9% 19% 19% Not s ur e 27% 30% 25% 31%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favorable 59% 24% 85% 55% Favorable 43% 28% 55% 33% Unfavorable 36% 71% 10% 45% Unfavorable 37% 52% 25% 37% Not s ur e 5% 5% 5% - Not s ur e 21% 21% 20% 30%

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favorable 53% 87% 27% 62% Favorable 51% 19% 75% 44% Unfavorable 37% 7% 61% 24% Unfavorable 35% 68% 9% 43% Not s ur e 10% 7% 12% 13% Not s ur e 14% 12% 16% 13%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favorable 39% 56% 27% 33% Yes 32% 5% 53% 21% Unfavorable 37% 23% 48% 32% No 55% 86% 33% 53% Not s ur e 24% 21% 25% 35% Not s ur e 13% 9% 15% 26%

2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 19% 34% 29% Yes 59% 49% 69% 38% No 54% 63% 48% 55% No 30% 43% 18% 41% Not s ur e 18% 18% 18% 16% Not s ur e 11% 8% 12% 21%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Generic Ballot Paterson Approval De m ocr atic 51% 90% 58% 10% Approve 30% 33% 26% 31% Republican 39% 2% 30% 82% Disapprove 55% 47% 55% 63% Undecided 10% 7% 13% 8% Not s ur e 15% 20% 19% 6%

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favorable 30% 42% 34% 16% David Paterson 28% 15% 25% 42% Unfavor able 55% 35% 53% 74% Elio t Sp it z e r 45% 51% 54% 28% Not s ur e 15% 22% 13% 11% Not s ur e 27% 34% 20% 30%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favorable 59% 87% 68% 24% Favorable 43% 59% 47% 24% Unfavor able 36% 9% 26% 71% Unfavor able 37% 24% 29% 55% Not s ur e 5% 5% 6% 5% Not s ur e 21% 17% 24% 21%

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favorable 53% 18% 53% 81% Favorable 51% 78% 61% 17% Unfavor able 37% 73% 35% 9% Unfavor able 35% 7% 23% 72% Not s ur e 10% 8% 12% 9% Not s ur e 14% 15% 16% 11%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favorable 39% 18% 40% 55% Yes 32% 60% 35% 5% Unfavor able 37% 54% 36% 24% No 55% 25% 51% 85% Not s ur e 24% 27% 24% 21% Not s ur e 13% 14% 14% 10%

Ideology Ideology

Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Bas e Liberal Moderate Conservative Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 40% 31% 14% Yes 59% 71% 64% 44% No 54% 40% 54% 67% No 30% 16% 25% 46% Not s ur e 18% 21% 15% 19% Not s ur e 11% 13% 11% 10%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Generic Ballot Paterson Approval Democratic 51% 53% 49% Approve 30% 25% 34% Republican 39% 36% 43% Dis appr ove 55% 57% 54% Unde cide d 10% 12% 8% Not s ur e 15% 18% 11%

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favorable 30% 27% 33% David Paterson 28% 26% 30% Unfavorable 55% 56% 54% Elio t Sp it z e r 45% 42% 48% Not s ur e 15% 17% 13% Not s ur e 27% 32% 22%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favorable 59% 67% 50% Favorable 43% 44% 41% Unfavorable 36% 28% 45% Unfavorable 37% 29% 44% Not s ur e 5% 5% 5% Not s ur e 21% 27% 15%

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favorable 53% 53% 53% Favorable 51% 53% 49% Unfavorable 37% 36% 38% Unfavorable 35% 30% 40% Not s ur e 10% 11% 9% Not s ur e 14% 17% 11%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favorable 39% 36% 42% Yes 32% 33% 30% Unfavorable 37% 38% 35% No 55% 53% 58% Not s ur e 24% 25% 23% Not s ur e 13% 14% 12%

Ge nder Ge nder

Bas e Wom an Man Bas e Wom an Man Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 20% 36% Yes 59% 57% 62% No 54% 62% 46% No 30% 31% 28% Not s ur e 18% 18% 18% Not s ur e 11% 12% 10%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Generic Ballot Paterson Approval Democratic 51% 84% 10% 36% Approve 30% 30% 27% 33% Republican 39% 9% 83% 45% Dis appr ove 55% 53% 64% 50% Undecided 10% 7% 8% 20% Not s ur e 15% 18% 9% 18%

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favor able 30% 40% 18% 24% David Paterson 28% 22% 34% 33% Unfavorable 55% 42% 72% 60% Eliot Spitzer 45% 53% 37% 38% Not s ur e 15% 17% 10% 16% Not s ur e 27% 25% 29% 29%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favor able 59% 82% 28% 50% Favor able 43% 53% 28% 40% Unfavorable 36% 12% 66% 48% Unfavorable 37% 27% 52% 35% Not s ur e 5% 6% 6% 2% Not s ur e 21% 20% 19% 24%

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favor able 53% 29% 87% 58% Favor able 51% 72% 24% 44% Unfavorable 37% 58% 10% 29% Unfavorable 35% 13% 63% 42% Not s ur e 10% 13% 4% 13% Not s ur e 14% 15% 13% 14%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favor able 39% 26% 60% 37% Yes 32% 49% 4% 34% Unfavorable 37% 48% 23% 33% No 55% 37% 86% 51% Not s ur e 24% 26% 17% 29% Not s ur e 13% 14% 9% 14%

Party Party

Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Bas e Democrat Republican Independent/Other Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 33% 21% 28% Yes 59% 68% 44% 65% No 54% 50% 64% 50% No 30% 21% 47% 23% Not s ur e 18% 18% 15% 22% Not s ur e 11% 12% 9% 12%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Generic Ballot Paterson Approval Democratic 51% 63% 44% 88% 39% Approve 30% 16% 31% 29% 29% Republican 39% 21% 46% 9% 39% Dis appr ove 55% 53% 57% 50% 53% Undecided 10% 16% 10% 3% 21% Not s ur e 15% 32% 12% 21% 18%

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favorable 30% 32% 28% 41% 29% David Paterson 28% 11% 29% 26% 34% Unfavor able 55% 47% 60% 32% 53% Eliot Spitzer 45% 47% 44% 47% 42% Not s ur e 15% 21% 12% 26% 18% Not s ur e 27% 42% 27% 26% 24%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favorable 59% 63% 54% 82% 53% Favorable 43% 47% 43% 38% 37% Unfavor able 36% 21% 42% 12% 39% Unfavor able 37% 47% 35% 41% 34% Not s ur e 5% 16% 4% 6% 8% Not s ur e 21% 5% 21% 21% 29%

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favorable 53% 63% 60% 9% 47% Favorable 51% 53% 47% 71% 50% Unfavor able 37% 26% 31% 74% 42% Unfavor able 35% 26% 40% 9% 39% Not s ur e 10% 11% 9% 18% 11% Not s ur e 14% 21% 13% 21% 11%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favorable 39% 47% 41% 26% 29% Yes 32% 26% 29% 50% 26% Unfavor able 37% 26% 37% 41% 37% No 55% 63% 59% 32% 53% Not s ur e 24% 26% 22% 32% 34% Not s ur e 13% 11% 11% 18% 21%

Race Race African- African- Bas e Hispanic White American Other Bas e Hispanic White American Other Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 47% 27% 24% 24% Yes 59% 42% 59% 68% 61% No 54% 42% 56% 53% 47% No 30% 42% 32% 9% 26% Not s ur e 18% 11% 16% 24% 29% Not s ur e 11% 16% 8% 24% 13%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Generic Ballot Paterson Approval Democratic 51% 62% 43% 55% 47% Approve 30% 12% 27% 35% 27% Republican 39% 31% 45% 36% 43% Dis appr ove 55% 62% 62% 52% 54% Unde cide d 10% 6% 12% 9% 11% Not s ur e 15% 26% 11% 12% 20%

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Spitzer Favorability Paterson vs. Spitzer Favorable 30% 32% 26% 32% 29% David Paterson 28% 15% 29% 31% 26% Unfavorable 55% 43% 58% 57% 52% Elio t Sp it z e r 45% 54% 45% 43% 44% Not s ur e 15% 25% 16% 11% 19% Not s ur e 27% 31% 26% 26% 29%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bloom be r g Hillary Favorability

Favorability Favorable 59% 60% 49% 63% 59% Favorable 43% 54% 35% 41% 49% Unfavorable 36% 33% 46% 35% 32% Unfavorable 37% 18% 47% 39% 27% Not s ur e 5% 6% 5% 2% 9% Not s ur e 21% 28% 18% 19% 24%

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Mario Cuomo Giuliani Favorability

Favorability Favorable 53% 65% 63% 47% 51% Favorable 51% 45% 46% 54% 51% Unfavorable 37% 28% 32% 40% 38% Unfavorable 35% 33% 38% 34% 34% Not s ur e 10% 6% 5% 13% 11% Not s ur e 14% 21% 16% 12% 15%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Pataki Favorability Islamic Community

Center Favorable 39% 28% 49% 34% 42% Yes 32% 17% 29% 38% 27% Unfavorable 37% 33% 30% 43% 33% No 55% 66% 58% 52% 57% Not s ur e 24% 39% 21% 23% 25% Not s ur e 13% 17% 12% 10% 16%

Age Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r 18 to 30 to 46 to Olde r Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Bas e 29 45 65 than 65 Right to Build Strip Club

Community Center Yes 28% 29% 44% 28% 12% Yes 59% 40% 65% 65% 49% No 54% 56% 41% 56% 64% No 30% 45% 29% 24% 37% Not s ur e 18% 15% 14% 17% 24% Not s ur e 11% 15% 6% 11% 14%

October 1-3, 2010 3020 Highwoods Blvd. survey of 592 likely voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988