SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY

John Kerry won NY in 2004 by 18 points. Al Gore won NY in 2000 by 25 percentage points. NY's 31 electoral votes should be a sure thing.

NY is solidly Democratic, with 5.5 million registered Democrats and 2.9 million registered Republicans. But, as stated in the polling synopsis, "New York's overwhelming Democratic enrollment advantage is not reflected in how voters tell Siena they plan to vote."

Honestly, I'm not trying to be a concern troll. But seriously, what is happening here?!? I live in NYC and I do believe that Obama will carry NY State and its 31 electoral votes. But why is it so close, why is it tightening? There are still 13% undecideds, how does Obama hold them / keep them from swinging McCain?


http://www.siena.edu/level2col.aspx?menu _id=562&id=19322

Siena New York Poll:
With 50 Days Left, New York Is Far From True Blue
Obama's Lead Falls to 5 Points; Down From 18 Points in June
Obama Seen As Stronger Than McCain on 4 of 6 Issues;
Voters See McCain As Better Than Obama on 4 of 6 of Attributes

Seven weeks until Election Day, the race for President has tightened in New York, with Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) leading Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 46-41 percent among likely voters, according to a new Siena (College) Research Institute poll released today.  Obama's five point lead is down from eight points in August, 13 points in July and 18 points in June, when he led 51-33 percent.  On a series of  six questions concerning current issues in the campaign - economy, Iraq, terrorism, health care, America's position in the world, and education - likely voters believe Obama will do a better job on four.  Conversely, out of six attributes voters often look at in choosing a candidate - compassion, patriotism, experience, intelligence, integrity, and leadership - New York's electorate gives the edge to McCain on four.

"Although New York has long been regarded as a `safe' state for the Democrats in presidential politics, likely voters in the Empire State are currently only giving Senator Obama a five-point cushion," said Steven Greenberg, spokesman for the Siena New York Poll.  "The conventions are over.  The running mates are set.  And as voters begin to focus on the race, New York's overwhelming Democratic enrollment advantage is not reflected in how voters tell Siena they plan to vote."



Display:


He will carry NY by the same margin as Kerry, Gore (none / 0)

Wait for some more polls to come out. This one may be bunk or an outlier. Bad polls do happen.


I attended PUMACon '08!!!
by iohs2008 on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:20:37 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (1.50 / 2)

If you don't want to be a concern troll, then don't post CONCERN troll diaries.


by venician on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:21:45 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (2.00 / 2)

That wasn't necessary.  The diarist asked a reasonable question, and deserves a reasonable answer. And that answer is, McCain isn't going to win New York.  This poll is very likely an outlier, and we'd need a lot more solid evidence before we should even give this a second thought.


"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety". Salvor Hardin
by Denny Crane on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:59:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

So then the diarist should have done some homework and found out what's going on, instead he/she screams the sky is falling, the sky is falling and expects others to do the work for them.


by venician on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:59:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

Poll is five days old. Also the internals of this poll make it somewhat suspect.


Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
by jsfox on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:25:47 PM EST

I was just released today (2.00 / 1)

It's getting a lot of play on NYC radio. That's where I heard it and honestly, I was shocked. I'd assumed that NY was solid Obama.

The effect on me is to take nothing for granted. This put a little fire under my butt today.


"Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been." Hillary Rodham Clinton - June 7, 2008
by twinmom on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:37:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I was just released today (2.00 / 1)

The effect on me is to take nothing for granted. This put a little fire under my butt today.

Well if it did that the poll is good :)


Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
by jsfox on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:40:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

McCain won't win NY. Don't worry


by Hedda Lettuce1 on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:34:14 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

Yeah, we might lose NY.  /snark


Government derives its power from those that it governs.
by lockewasright on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:46:47 PM EST

I don't get it (none / 0)

So many of you act so flippant and dismissive when faced with a poll which shows that a state which overwhelmingly leans Democratic and has a huge majority of Democratic voters is not solid, huge advantage Obama?

Sorry if my alarm at this poll is idiotic, but it seems to me that the Democratic candidate should be winning registered Democrats?

This isn't just about NY, Obama will win NY. But to me this poll shows an alarming disjoint in numbers of registered Democrats and Obama support here in NY.

Honestly, I would have assumed that the introduction of Palin would have caused solidly blue states to trend MORE toward Obama, not less. I don't get it at all?

I know this is just one poll. Perhaps it is a crappy poll or an outlier. But the same poll did show Obama leading by MUCH more 2-3 months ago.


"Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been." Hillary Rodham Clinton - June 7, 2008
by twinmom on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:54:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't get it (none / 0)

because Siena has a history of... well... a history of just not being very good.

That doesn't mean they're in the tank for anyone - it just means that historically, their methodology hasn't proven to be very good.


by zonk on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:59:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't get it (none / 0)

New York will not go red any time soon.  It has a solid track record of voting blue in presidential races.  It's ours as much as Alabama is the GOPs.

If we win it by 2% it's worth just as many EC votes as if we win it by 15%.  


Government derives its power from those that it governs.
by lockewasright on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:01:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't get it (none / 0)

NY is Hillary's home state, that may affect the likelihood of folks declaring for Obama in a poll...orneriness.  No one believes NY is anything but the bluest of states so there may be some game-playing here with pollsters.


by mady on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 11:55:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

I have a very hard time believing this is true.  I'd need to see more polls before I believe this for even a moment.


"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety". Salvor Hardin
by Denny Crane on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:55:22 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (2.00 / 1)

Obama is leading in VA according to surveyusa ,

50 - 46...

Mccain should be a little more worried about that , Obama won't lose NY..


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 12:56:37 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

Pretty cool, huh?

It's nice to see an election where we have several avenues of attack and they are bye and large playing defense all over the place.


Government derives its power from those that it governs.
by lockewasright on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:07:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

How is that possible?

These polls are all over the gol darn place.  I think I will ignore them all, keep canvassing, keep donating when I can afford it and just forget those stupid things....


by gil44 on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:15:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

Best idea I've heard all day. I won't do it, of course, I'm completely hooked. But it's the best way to go. Wait till closer to the debates and check back. Meanwhile, assume we're tied and get calling or visiting.


"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."
by vcalzone on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:23:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hope this convinces McCain to burn money in NYC/NJ (none / 0)

But I am not holding out hope.

BTW, SUSA has Obama up 4 points in VA.


by ann0nymous on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 01:11:11 PM EST

Siena polls are terrible and also GOP biased (none / 0)

Just look at their polling history this cycle. Siena polls are garbage.


Visit Election Inspection for analysis, polls, and predictions!
by X Stryker on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:00:09 PM EST

McCain will do as will in NY... (none / 0)

as Brett Favre. You know, lots of hype, but he's out of his element, probably should have stayed retired, old body getting beat up needlessly.

On election night across the country, I envision GOPers paraphrasing the Jet fight song when talking about McCain/Palin:

S-U-C-K! Suck! Suck! Suck!

Seriously, does anybody know how good Siena's polls are? And even further, do any of us know if anyone's polls are worth a damn? Look at the two polls that came out about NC last week. It's either winnable and worth the effort...or it's a blowout.


by BenderRodriguez on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:13:03 PM EST

What do you recommend we do? (2.00 / 1)

I read your diary, and it's all very passive... why not turn it into a call to action? Why not use this to motivate people? Not out of concern, but out of determination?

What do you suggest Obama supporters on the ground in NY do to keep the state with a healthy lead? Any ideas? Any particular parts of the state that need more attention? Is Obama losing some support upstate? What issues are important to voters there? How do we get Obama's policy information to them? What kinds of ads are playing in the state? Can they be better targeted?

Sorry, but "ZOMG!! Look at these polls! OMG!" diaries, besides being mostly cut and paste affairs, usually have little to no analysis, ideas, or direction. As such, the ensuing comment threads tend to turn into tepic bickering instead of constructive action.

Consider the diary you could have written, if you really wanted to change things.


"This victory alone is not the change we seek -- it is only the chance for us to make that change." -- Nov. 4, 2008
by BobzCat on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:31:24 PM EST

I have no idea (none / 0)

That's what I was asking. Frankly, I don't know a single McCain supporter. I'd never have imagined that an overwhelmingly Democratic state like NY would poll anything but double digits for Obama. Like I said, I'd assumed that Palin being on the ticket would make NY more solid for Obama, not less.

Forgive me for being concerned. I'm a working mother / small business owner with young children, not a pollster or a campaign worker.

Most of the respondents here dismiss the Siena poll as useless. Hopefully that is correct. But I would hope that the Obama campaign doesn't just dismiss a poll because it isn't good news. This isn't just about NY, it is about whether Obama is holding the Democratic base. McCain has clearly solidified the GOP base with Palin.


"Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been." Hillary Rodham Clinton - June 7, 2008
by twinmom on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 03:21:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

The Siena Poll is garbage.  They previously had McCain UP by 2% in New York in March.  And because the electoral tracker on the main page only uses the most recent poll, and due to the fact that no one ever bothers to poll New York because they know Obama will win by 20 points, New York stayed shaded red for quite some time, even as North Dakota and Indiana remained blue.  Good times.


by Skaje on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:52:11 PM EST

Re: SIENA: Obama down from 18 to 5 pt lead in NY (none / 0)

Siena is a crappy poll - but go to mybarackobama.com and make some phone calls - it will make you feel better.


Anthropologists for human diversity; opposing racism,sexism,homophobism, ageism and ethnocentrism.
by NeciVelez on Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 02:54:25 PM EST


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