Cuomo's popularity not dented by 'undercount' of nursing home deaths, Siena poll finds

[DonViejo]

By BILL MAHONEY 02/16/2021 05:30 AM EST Updated 02/16/2021 10:55 AM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s popularity wasn’t damaged by the release of a report by the state’s attorney general that found Cuomo had undercounted the number of Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents, a poll released Tuesday by the Siena College Research Institute found.

The poll was conducted Feb. 7-11, after the Jan. 28 release of Attorney General Tish James’ report but before a New York Post story detailing Cuomo’s refusal to release the nursing home death numbers. The poll found 56 percent of respondents said they view Cuomo favorably, compared to 39 percent who view him unfavorably. That’s basically the same as the 57-39 he received in January and 56-39 he received in November.

Only 39 percent said that he has done an “excellent” or “good” job at “making public all data about Coivd-related deaths of nursing home patients.” But that was “the issue on which voters most harshly grade Cuomo,” Siena spokesperson Steve Greenberg noted. On the broader question of how he’s handling the pandemic, the governor won the approval of 61 percent of respondents and disapproval of 34 percent. That compares to 63-32 in January and 63-30 in November. The extent of any damage from the Post report will have to wait until the next poll.

"Despite the best efforts of the far fringe, Governor Cuomo's numbers remain unchanged from last month,” State Democratic Committee chair Jay Jacobs said in a statement. “Apparently, voters understand better than some of those looking to score political points that the Governor has done a great job staying focused on saving lives and ending this pandemic. Those seeking to politicize the process should take heed."

more
https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2021/02/16/cuomos-popularity-not-dented-by-james-report-siena-poll-finds-1363683

[kcr]

1. Well, since it was already about as low as it could go for that issue

That's really not something to brag about. I'm referring to Jay Jacob's comment.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Embarrassing.

[Johonny]

3. Well, the state GOP created this talking point in April of last year

I imagine most New Yorkers are well buffered by this topic already even if the rest of the country hasn't focused on this until right now.

[gratuitous]

4. It's possible some people remember that time so long ago

Cuomo was walking an ultra-thin line, trying to manage the crisis and not piss off Trump, who had the power to make a terrible situation catastrophic. And Trump wasn't shy about doing just that, if he thought there was a political point to be scored. Trump resolved early on to downplay the pandemic, remember that? Cuomo was looking into a hellish abyss, but he had to watch what he said lest Trump withdraw even the minimal support the federal government was providing.