Paterson's Numbers Improve a Bit, but New Yorkers Still Want Him Out

While there has been some improvement in New York Gov. David Paterson's job approval and favorability ratings, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would still crush him in a Democratic primary if he decides to challenge the incumbent for the party's nomination, according to a Siena Research Institute poll conducted Dec. 6-9.

Cuomo leads Paterson, 67 percent to 23 percent. In a general election, Cuomo would also trounce former Rep. Rick Lazio by 68 percent to 22 percent, while Paterson barely edges him, 42 percent to 40 percent. The margin of error is 3.8 points. Sixty-five percent of voters say they want someone other than Paterson as governor.