Kennedy Up in One N.Y. Poll, Tanks In Another

It’s a mixed bag for Senate wannabe Caroline Kennedy in a pair of New York polls.

In a Marist University survey, 40 percent of registered voters in New York want Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) to be the successor to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D), while just 25 percent want Kennedy. In last month’s Marist survey, both Cuomo and Kennedy received 25 percent of the support.

But in a Daily Kos/Research 2000 survey, a plurality of likely New York voters — 31 percent — want her to be appointed the state’s next senator, while 26 percent want state attorney general Andrew Cuomo named to the post. Another 41 percent are undecided.

In the Kos poll, both Democrats fare well against possible Republican candidates in the 2010 race for the seat. Either Cuomo or Kennedy would beat Rep. Peter King (R) or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) by double digits.

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) must appoint someone to fill the seat, which Clinton is leaving to become secretary of State.