Jan 27, 2009 6:23 am US/Eastern
Gov. Paterson's Popularity In A Free-Fall
Following Series Of Controversial Decisions, Gov. Now In Statistical Dead Heat With Cuomo, Giuliani Among Voters
Reports: Kennedy Considering Senate Primary Run
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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New York Gov. David Paterson appears at the annual Columbus Day parade on Fifth Avenue October 13, 2008 in New York City.
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
He's only been governor for 10 months but already Gov. David Paterson's political survival is in question.
A controversial U.S. Senate pick, a public dis of Caroline Kennedy and questions about his judgment have sent the governor's popularity into a tailspin.
It was an odd reaction to applause Paterson received on Monday.
"I thought I'd done something wrong," the governor said.
But maybe it's not so odd. After the Kennedy soap opera and unflattering leaks about why she got passed over the unrelenting criticism of how he picked Hillary Clinton's replacement, Paterson is on the ropes -- and on Monday it was clear he knew it.
"A planned trip to ski Mecca Davos, Switzerland this week while the Legislature wrestles with budget cuts due by Sunday was suddenly called off, just a day after the governor defended it.
"I think I'll stay here," he said.
"Perhaps it will be a better idea to go at another time. I'll still send some assistants and stay right here with the leaders of the Legislature and work on the budget."
The governor was in Hyde Park Monday with Kirsten Gillibrand, the upstate congresswoman he picked to fill Clinton's shoes. But what should have been a victory lap for Gillibrand was anything but for the governor.
A new poll by the Siena Research Institute shows that only 32 percent of voters are prepared to elect him in 2010. And he is now in a statistical dead heat with both Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Rudy Giuliani.
In December Paterson led Cuomo in a head to head matchup by 23 points. On Monday it was just 2, well within the margin of error. He also leads Giuliani by 2, down from 13 last month.
"I don't know that my popularity is down. I'm just splitting it with two other people," Paterson said to laughter.
The governor said he plans to seek a full four-year term in 2010, but his political problems are far from over.
There were reports Monday that the Kennedy clan is so angry that Caroline is thinking about entering the Democratic Senate Primary.
Gillibrand will be officially sworn in as New York's junior Senator in Washington on Tuesday. Vice President Joe Biden will do the honors.
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