FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marist Institute for Public Opinion

Marist College l Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601 l 845.575.5050

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 10, 2001

Contact: Dr. Lee M. Miringoff

Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho

Marist College

845.575.5050

This Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll of New York State Democrats reports:

Cuomo vs. McCall: Close Contest for Democratic Nomination

Andrew Cuomo and H. Carl McCall are in a close contest for the 2002 New York State Democratic primary for governor. In this early match-up to oppose Governor George Pataki, Cuomo is preferred by 41% and McCall has 37%. 22% are undecided.

Question Wording: If next year's New York State Democratic primary for governor were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

Registered Democrats

Andrew Cuomo

H. Carl McCall

Undecided

December 2001

41%

37%

22%

February 2001

45%

25%

30%

Favorable/Unfavorable Impressions

Andrew Cuomo and H. Carl McCall are both well known among New York State Democrats. 75% of registered Democrats have an opinion of Andrew Cuomo. 72% have an opinion of H. Carl McCall up from 56% last February. Cuomo has a 57% favorable rating among Democrats. 18% rate him unfavorably. McCall is viewed positively by 61% and 11% view him negatively.

Question Wording: Please tell me if you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of each of the following:

Registered Democrats

Favorable

Unfavorable

Unsure How to Rate

Never

Heard

Andrew Cuomo

December 2001

57%

18%

22%

3%

February 2001

58%

10%

26%

6%

H. Carl McCall

December 2001

61%

11%

18%

10%

February 2001

47%

9%

22%

22%

Voters’ Scorecard

More New York State Democrats think that Andrew Cuomo has the better chance of defeating Governor George Pataki in the general election. McCall edges Cuomo over who has the better experience to be governor.

Question Wording: Which Democrat do you think has the better chance of beating Governor George Pataki next year/better experience to be New York State governor:

Registered Democrats

Andrew Cuomo

H. Carl McCall

Undecided

Better chance of beating Governor George Pataki

43%

32%

25%

Better experience to be NYS governor

36%

43%

21%

Nature of the Sample: 333 New York State Registered Democrats

This survey was conducted on December 3^rd through December 6^th, 2001. 333 registered Democrats were interviewed in proportion to the Democratic registration in each county in New York State and adjusted for turnout in comparable elections. All interviews were conducted by telephone. The results are statistically significant at ± 5.5% for the entire sample. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.

Race		Religion
White	64%	Protestant	27%
Black	24%	Catholic	42%
Latino	11%	Jewish	19%
Asian	1%	Other	12%

Region		Ideology
Upstate	30%	Liberal	36%
New York City	56%	Moderate	36%
Suburbs	14%	Conservative	28%

Gender (weighted)
Men	45%
Women	55%

Registered Democrats	Andrew Cuomo	H. Carl McCall	Undecided
December 2001	41%	37%	22%
February 2001	45%	25%	30%

Registered Democrats	Favorable	Unfavorable	Unsure How to Rate	Never Heard
Andrew Cuomo
December 2001	57%	18%	22%	3%
February 2001	58%	10%	26%	6%
H. Carl McCall
December 2001	61%	11%	18%	10%
February 2001	47%	9%	22%	22%