Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bloomberg's Approval Ratings Head South for Winter
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 22, 2008
Modified Nov 22, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 22, 2008
Modified Nov 22, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photograph by Angela Radulescu on Flickr
In the first poll to come out after his maneuvering to extend term limits from two terms to three, Mayor Bloomberg's approval ratings have fallen 9 points. The Marist poll puts him at 59%, and Politicker NY's Azi Paybarah writes, "It's not a bad number by any means, but it's the farthest he’s dropped since Marist’s August 2005 poll, which had him at 53 percent." He had a 68% rating from Marist last month and in July, he had 71% from a Quinnipiac poll.
Political consultant Joseph Mercurio tells the Post that Bloomberg's raiting are lower due to the economy, "I would expect his numbers as the economic crisis continues to go down lower. I don't think term limits is going to make that much difference [down the road]." The economic crisis is Bloomberg's main reason for wanting to run for mayor again.
However, the Daily News points out Bloomberg's lead over potential 2009 opponents is getting thinner (though it's still substantial): He leads Rep. Anthony Weiner 51% to Weiner's 37% and leads 52% to City Comptroller Bill Thompson's 32%. Marist pollster Lee Miringoff said, "Fifty-one percent is about as slim a majority as you can have at this point for an incumbent.. That is, I think, troublesome for the Bloomberg administration in terms of re-election prospects. He's ahead, but he's certainly far away from closing the door on that race."
Still, this is better than those days in 2003 when Bloomberg's approval rating was around 32%.
Tagged
approval rating
election 2009
mayor bloomberg
term limits
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .