NYC poll: 56 percent pick Eliot Spitzer

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is pulling further ahead in the Democratic primary for the city’s comptroller race, a new poll finds.

Spitzer’s lead over Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has widened to 19 percentage points among likely Democratic primary voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Fifty six percent said they will vote for Spitzer, compared with 37 percent for Stringer. On July 25, Spitzer was edging out Stringer by just 4 percentage points.

Spitzer was favored across a range of demographics, including male, female and black voters, with leads of 21, 18 and 47 percentage points, respectively. Stringer, however, was more popular with white voters, leading Spitzer by 10 points.

“Spitzer is all over the TV screens, building on his better name recognition and leaving Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in the dust,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/eliot-spitzer-new-york-city-poll-95535.html

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I think Scott Stinger's big problem is that people interpret Borough President as a no heavy lifting job (allocate some capital funds, appoint some Community Board members, attend a lot of ribbon cuttings), compared to Spitzer's record of going after Wall Street (whether relevant to the job or not).

[hrmjustin]

1. I am leaning toward voting for Stringer.

[KamaAina]

2. Spitzer's pitch is that he'd have some leverage over Wall St. through NYC's pension funds

plausible, but then again, he made that pitch on either TDS or Colbert. Stringer is a fine public servant, but he just doesn't have access to that kind of platform.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Comptroller could be a significant job. He/she reviews city contracts w. outside vendors.

>>>I think Scott Stinger's big problem is that people interpret Borough President as a no heavy lifting job (allocate some capital funds, appoint some Community Board members, attend a lot of ribbon cuttings), compared to Spitzer's record of going after Wall Street (whether relevant to the job or not).>>>>>

My impression is that's " where a lot of the bodies are buried" and that's why a lot of well-connecteds are panicky about Spitzer in that position. There's a lot that goes on that won't withstand scrutiny. Whatever his faults... Spitzer's established that he's capable of rocking the boat and going after corruption.... even when the perpetrators are fellow-pols.

Stringer seems like a nice guy, but whatever else he is , he ain't no boat rocker. Hence his popularity with the political class.

The people of NYC need a boat rocker. That's OUR money, fellaz. Hands off.

[gopiscrap]

4. wow pretty amazing

[CTyankee]

5. I'm not in NY (obviously) but if I were I would prolly vote for Spitzer. I view his infidelity as a

kind of moral and mental lapse of judgement. But I wish I knew more about it. Because if it is a "power" thing then it will just come back again, unless he has been well counseled and treated for his indisicretion.

I dunno, maybe some guys just can't keep it...ya know...where they should...

[branford]

6. I'm a Manhattan resident and will vote for Stringer for comptroller.

I have no reason to criticize his performance as Borough President. However, I'm not impressed by a former NYS Attorney General and Governor who hires prostitutes across state lines and becomes so unpopular in state politics due to meglomania and narcissism that by the end even few Democratic politicians would utter a kind word on his behalf.

I think it best if Elliot "spends more time with his family," and remains out of NY politics.

[RiverNoord]

9. I'm from the Midwest and

I guess I just don't get it. Wasn't he Attorney General at the time that he was... dabbling in certain extracurricular activities? I don't care how liberal or 'recognized' someone is if he's already demonstrated a really serious problem with fundamental ethical conduct.

To attempt a return to politics after such a thing only reinforces my view that the person has a serious problem with the responsibilities that come with power... What's with New Yorkers on this one?

[Hulk]

7. Visiting call girls?

I'm sorry, but was that his crime? You mean he didn't even bother sending pics of his pecker via Twitter or Facebook? Come on. Are we really that big of pruds in NY?

[branford]

10. It was the hypocrisy and ego, not prudishness.

In NYC, a politico who was simply caught visiting a prostitute would be easily forgiven by most of the electorate. With Spitzer, it was not that simple.

Spitzer was a VERY holier-than-thou NY Attorney General who strongly condemned prostitution and supported draconian levels of prosecution of anyone connected to the industry. He then repeatedly frequented $5000 a night escorts, and arranged for them across state lines, both state and federal crimes. Client No. 9 is lucky he didn't serve time in prison.

Additionally, as the governor of NY, his ego grew exponentially. He started at an 80% approval, and by the time the scandal hit, his poll numbers were a disaster and most elected Democrats couldn't stand him. He was also facing another scandal of ordering the state police to follow and spy on the Republican State Senate Leader. If Spitzer had but a fraction of the popular or party support from the beginning of his term, he could have easily weathered the scandal and remained governor. Instead, he was forced to almost immediately resign.

On the other hand, Scott Stringer is a amiable, well-liked local politician, with no know scandals or illegal extra-curricular activities. As a result, I, for one, believe the choice for comptroller is easy.

I think Spitzer is ahead due to simple name recognition. What do they say, even bad publicity is good publicity . . .

I hope we do not elect Spitzer, and end-up with another Filner. We should have learned our lesson the first time around.