Paterson's Approval Numbers at W-Esque Lows

New York Governor David Paterson just can't get a break. After an abysmal first year in which he was mired in personal scandals, committed serious political blunders, and was smeared by second-rate bloggers, he now has to contend with the lowest poll numbers ever recorded for an Empire State Governor.

Gov. David A. Paterson's job approval numbers are at the lowest point in the 27 years that the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion has been surveying public opinions of governors.

Historically bad, in other words.

Only 26 percent of the 1,045 registered voters surveyed said Mr. Paterson was doing either a good or excellent job, while 71 percent said he was doing a fair or poor job. Even Eliot Spitzer had a higher approval rating a year ago, 30 percent, when he was the governor amid his prostitution scandal. The poll results indicate that voters believe Mr. Paterson is working hard and understands the state's problems, but suggests people do not have confidence in his ability to lead.

Did you get that? The man is even less popular than Eliot Spitzer at his nadir.

At this rate, he's going to give George W. Bush a run for his money.