Some interesting numbers in today's Q-Poll about term limits, a mixed (but generally positive) bag for friends of democracy.
By a 51 - 45 percent margin, New York City voters oppose extending the eight-year term limit to 12 years so they can elect Mayor Michael Bloomberg to a third term, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a similar, but not identical, question in an October 3 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll in which New Yorkers supported 54 - 42 percent extending term limits for four more years of Mayor Bloomberg. That question was asked before the Mayor formally announced that he would ask to extend term limits and seek a third term.
That's a nine-point swing against Bloomberg's plan after its actual announcement moved the idea from speculation to legislation.
In this latest survey, Democrats oppose extending term limits 53 - 43 percent and independent voters split with 50 percent opposed and 48 percent supporting it. Republicans support the four-year extension 54 - 44 percent. Whites back the idea 56 - 41 percent while black voters oppose it 62 - 35 percent and Hispanic voters oppose it 53 - 42 percent.
Thanks, mayor. You're splitting the electorate down racial lines, good work.
New York City voters approve 75 - 20 percent of the job Bloomberg is doing, tying his record, and 59 percent say they "definitely" or "probably' would vote for him if term limits are extended and he is on the ballot next year.
Shorter: Bloomberg's available voter universe has shrunk to 59%, meaning that he has to win over 80% of people who might consider voting for him. That's actually not a good number.
"Opponents of Mayor Bloomberg's plan to extend term limits are winning - narrowly - the battle for the hearts and mind of New Yorkers," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"They love Mayor Mike and two weeks ago they were ready to give him a third term, in a hypothetical situation. But now that it's real and other voices are being heard, voters are having second thoughts."
Looking at another term limit question, 50 percent of New Yorkers say changing the rules in the middle of the game is unfair, while 46 percent say Bloomberg deserves four more years to finish his work as Mayor.
Has anyone given a thought to the fact that the term-limits extension would also allow for Giuliani to have a third term?
Voters support 62 - 29 percent the overall concept of term limits. And in a question where no person is named, they oppose 56 - 36 percent extending term limits from eight years to 12 years for all elected New York City officials.
Shorter Quinnipiac: don't argue against Bloomberg, argue for democracy. If we do that, we win.
They also oppose 60 - 31 percent extending term limits so their local City Council member can serve for more years.
Hear that, council members? Thing is, a lot of you suck.
By an 89 - 7 percent margin, New York City voters say the issue of term limits should be decided by voters in a referendum, not by an act of the City Council. Even Republican voters prefer a referendum 85 - 11 percent.
If this is decided by the Council without a referendum, expect a massive backlash and the abrupt end of a lot of promising political careers.
If there is a referendum, voters would oppose 52 - 41 percent "extending term limits for four more years for all elected New York City officials, including the Mayor." Results among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters are consistent. White voters say 50 - 44 percent they would vote to extend term limits, while black voters would vote no 60 - 32 percent and Hispanic voters would oppose the extension 56 - 37 percent.
"Voters to City Council: We voted for term limits twice and, if it's going to change, it should be us - not you - who decide it," Carroll said.
Apparently, the people still don't like the idea of three terms. Mr. Bloomberg's transient popularity, earned or otherwise, shouldn't distract from that.
