Poll: Kennedy’s Senate Campaign Isn’t Working

Caroline Kennedy’s campaign for Senate has hurt her among New York voters more than it has helped, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey.

A plurality of voters polled — 44 percent — have a less favorable opinion of Kennedy, a Democrat, than they had before she started stumping for the Senate seat, which will be vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Just 23 percent of voters said they now have a more favorable opinion of her. A third of voters said that the campaign hasn’t changed her mind.

Most New York voters now prefer state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) to be the next senator. While 58 percent back Cuomo for the post, just 27 percent support Kennedy. In the polling firm’s last survey, Kennedy was the preferred candidate.

Gov. David Paterson (D-N.Y.) will make the appointment as soon as Clinton leaves her seat to become secretary of State. The seat is up for election in 2010 and again in 2012.