Poll:Mayor Tim Murphy's (D-Pittsburgh) standing plummets in city, suburbs

[goobergunch]

Sunday, August 24, 2003

By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor







The city of Pittsburgh's budget impasse has had a devastating impact on the political standing of Mayor Tom Murphy.







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Pa. Poll graphic










In a Pennsylvania Poll conducted last week, a majority of the registered Allegheny County voters surveyed said they held an unfavorable view of Murphy. When asked if Murphy deserved to be re-elected, an overwhelming majority said "no."

Murphy's level of support among suburban voters was marginally better than that among his constituents, although still predominantly negative. And by even more overwhelming margins, residents of the city and the surrounding suburbs said they believed that the city of Pittsburgh was headed in the wrong direction.

The third-term mayor's support in the city is relevant to his political future and current political leverage. While he does not run countywide, his numbers in the suburbs are significant in that his preferred budget solution involves enlisting greater suburban financial support for the city and persuading suburban legislators to vote to allow him to do so.

more...http://www.post-gazette.com/neigh_city/20030824murphy0824p2.asp

[CMT]

1. these budget problems are going to hurt politicians

of both parties. Why a deficit of $455 billion plus isn't hurting Bush more I just don't know?? but programs like Head Start and Americorp are on the chopping block so it might start in soon.

[NJCher]

2. I think that's it

The effects have not yet been felt. Unfortunately, they probably will be felt about the time a Dem takes the presidential office. Planning for how to handle this needs to stat now as this is actually a bonefide repug strategy: overspend and let the Dem take the hits for it.


Cher