Bloomberg Poll Numbers Show Support for Gubernatorial Bid

Mayor Bloomberg would have more support from New York City voters in a bid to become governor than to become president.

A poll released yesterday by Quinnipiac University found that 60% of New Yorkers surveyed would be likely to vote for Mr. Bloomberg if he runs for governor, while 37% would vote for him for president.

While Mr. Bloomberg has denied that he has any interest in running for either office, political scientists say the polls highlights two important points. One is how daunting it would be to run for president as an independent. The other is that his strong support for a job now held by Governor Spitzer could give Mr. Bloomberg a leg up in dealings with the state.

The poll also found that Mr. Bloomberg has a 74% approval rating, near a record high for him.

The survey did not treat the crop of 2009 mayoral hopefuls as well. When the 1,018 voters were asked whom they would like to see elected mayor in 2009, 22% named the term-limited Mr. Bloomberg.

Senator Clinton and Mayor Giuliani were each named by 3% of the voters, but the chances of their running for mayor have to be considered minuscule, as they have launched presidential bids.

Rep. Anthony Weiner, the police commissioner, Raymond Kelly, and the city comptroller, William Thompson Jr., were each named by 2% of voters, while the City Council speaker, Christine Quinn, was named by 1%.