October 3, 2008 - 8:13am

News

Tom Kean probably would have won a third term in 1989, but would he have wanted it?

By Wally Edge

For New Jerseyans who follow the race for Mayor of New York City more closely than they do the contest for Salem County Freeholder: a new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows that NYC voters, by a 54%-42% margin, support extending the eight-year term limit to twelve years so Michael Bloomberg can serve as third term as mayor. Bloomberg, who says he wants to run again in 2009 even though city law does not currently allow it, has a 75%-19% job approval rating. Nearly two-thirds of the voters (65%) say they still support the basic concept of term limits -- especially for City Councilmembers -- but they still want Bloomberg to remain in office. In a head-to-head matchup with six other potential candidates, Bloomberg is at 51%; none of the others break out of single digits.

“Will it be a coronation? Bloomberg’s support is more than 50 percent. The others? Way down in single digits. His job approval is still up in the stratosphere, where it’s been for three years,” said Maurice Carroll, the Quinnipiac poll director.

In Quinnipiac's last New Jersey poll, Governor Jon Corzine has an upside-down approval rating of 40%-51%. Other gubernatorial approval ratings, according to Quinnipiac polls: Jodi Rell (R-Conn.) 65%-23%; David Paterson (D-N.Y.) 64%-14%; and Ed Rendell (54%-37%).

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

Related topics: poll, Quinnipiac, Michael Bloomberg, Term Limits, David Paterson, Ed Rendell, JON CORZINE, Jodi Rell

Email this Article

Contributors

Wally Edge

Emergency room doctor looking at Senate bid in 7th district

South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >

Bob Torricelli

Torricelli on Chris Christie and New Jersey's future

Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >

Michael Patrick Carroll

Taking Corzineism National

Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >

Jeff Michaels

Obama blind spot?

The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >

Richard LaRossa

Congratulations Governor Elect Christopher J. Christie

With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >

Alan Steinberg

1992-1993: How Divided Government Worked in New Jersey

As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >

Dr. Joseph Marbach

Lessons from the campaign

Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >

Carla Katz

Christie and Labor: 5 Things the Governor-Elect Can Do

When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >

Joey Novick

We Need Sanctity of Marriage Boards

There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >

Murray Sabrin

Will Chris Christie punt or do the right thing?

New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >