For Immediate Release:  Monday, May 10, 2004

The Siena New York Poll for April: Approval Ratings, U.S. Senators

 Clinton Approval at 60% for Third Month

Schumer Approval Down a point to 59%

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Loudonville, NY – April marked the third month of 60% statewide approval rating for Senator Clinton, and Senator Schumer’s approval rating dropped a point to 59%, according to the latest Siena New York Poll from the Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI).

Senator Clinton’s biggest jump up in approval was among men – up 5 points to 61%.  Her approval ratings among women dropped 5 points to 59%.

·         Her highest approval is among Democrats (75%); her lowest is among Republicans (35%).

·         Her disapproval rating dropped 1 point to 23% - her lowest disapproval ever.

Senator Schumer’s biggest jump up in approval also was among men- up 5 points to 62%; his approval among women dropped 6 points to 57%.  His approval dropped significantly among Republicans-down 13 points to 40%.  His approval also dropped among older New Yorkers- down 7 points to 65%; and lower income-down 6 points to 54%.

·        His highest approval is among Democrats - 73%; his lowest is among Republicans – 40%.

·        His disapproval rating is up 1 point to 18%.

Also in April:

·          Senator Clinton led Senator Schumer in New York City (68%-65%) and among Democrats (75%-73%), women (59%-57%), younger New Yorkers (59%-57%), lower income (64%-54%), and Independents and other parties (51%-50%).

·          Senator Schumer led Senator Clinton outside New York City (54%-53%) and among Republicans (40%-35%), men (62%-61%), older New Yorkers (65%-62%), and higher income (65%-59%).

“Senator Clinton has maintained a 60% approval rating for the last three months, and reached a record low disapproval rating of 23% in April,” notes Joe Caruso, SRI Director of Polling. “Senator Schumer has also fared well, with 60% approval in February and March and 59% approval in April.  On average, for the last twelve months, they’re head to head at 57% approval. Interestingly, the two Senators receive a remarkably similar ate of approval from most demographic profiles in the poll.  The greatest approval difference in April was demonstrated by income. Lower income New Yorkers showed a higher rate of  approval for Clinton over Schumer – 64%-54%, and higher income New Yorkers  showed a higher rate of approval for Schumer over Clinton – 65%-59% .”

This SRI survey was conducted during the month of April 2004 by random telephone calls to 620 New York State residents over the age of 18.  It has a margin of error of  + 3.9 percentage points. For more information or comments, please contact SRI Director of Polling Joe Caruso at 518-783-2901 (office). Survey Cross-tabulations and frequencies can be found at: www.siena.edu/sri.  

The Siena New York Poll for April 2004:

Approval/Disapproval Ratings, U.S. Senators