New York: Voters in New York state are evenly split on whether Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F Kennedy, is qualified to be a senator but would prefer her to Andrew Cuomo, another aspirant for the seat that Hillary Clinton is set to vacate.
A new poll also reveals that voters believe by a wide margin that Governor David Paterson will name her to the senate once the former first lady vacates the seat on taking over as the Secretary of State in the Obama administration.
Kennedy, a staunch supporter of President-elect Barack Obama, is lobbying hard to get nominated to the senate seat.
If a senate seat falls vacant, the governor of the state nominates the new senator and then he or she has to face voters. Each state has two seats in the senate and Clinton currently represents New York State.
The poll, conducted by Quinnipiac University, shows that voters are split 40 to 41 per cent about qualification of Kennedy for job but 33 per cent want the governor to nominate her. Her opponent Attorney General Andrew Cuomo gets nod from 29 per cent of the voters and another 24 per cent do not approve of either candidate.
The New York state voters, the poll shows, disapprove the job President George Bush is doing by 78 to 18 per cent, which is the lowest rating for Bush in the Quinnipiac University poll.
Kennedy leads Cuomo 42-27 per cent among New York City voters and ties Cuomo 30-30 per cent among suburban voters, while Cuomo leads 31-27 per cent among upstate voters.
Men covered in the poll back Kennedy over Cuomo 32-27 per cent, while women favour her 33 -31 per cent.
