The idea floated by many in the media world, as well as by political "insiders," that Bloomberg's loss in the stadium battle was somehow a good thing (it takes his Democratic opponents' main weapon away from them, so this logic goes) is idiotic. A loss is a loss is a loss. It will change, permanently, the way the public views Bloomberg.

Poll: stadium hurts, Bloomberg, Ferrer in dead heat

BY DAN JANISON
STAFF WRITER

June 10, 2005

Surveys taken before and after the defeat of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's West Side stadium proposal show the rejection and drama surrounding it pulling down the mayor's popularity ratings.

Bloomberg now finds himself in a dead heat against Democratic front-runner Fernando Ferrer, at 46 to 45 percent, with a 5 percentage point margin of error, the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion said Friday. Before state legislative leaders stopped the project, he led Ferrer 49 to 40 percent.

Rating his job performance before the stadium decision, 55 percent said it was excellent or good -- close to a Newsday/NY1 News poll released earlier this week. But afterward that number dipped to 49 percent, according to Marist.

"It's all back on page one. He was closely tied to an unpopular cause," Marist director Lee Miringoff said Friday. "Short term, it creates concern on the part of voters."

The Republican billionaire trailed the Democratic front-runner in March and led him 51 to 38 percent in April, the same poll found.

Bloomberg was also closely matched against Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and Council Speaker Gifford Miller -- but maintains a comfortable lead against Rep. Anthony Weiner, Marist said.

The first survey of 435 residents was conducted June 1 and 2. The second occurred Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, involving 549 registered voters, the institute said.

The post-stadium poll also found:

71 percent believe Bloomberg works hard as mayor. 45 percent said they approve of how he handles economic development. 39 percent said they approve of his handling of the schools.

Ferrer leads the Democratic pack with 38 percent, followed by Fields at 24 percent, Miller 13 percent, Weiner 12 percent, and 13 percent undecided.