Watch CBS News

Poll: Citizens Like Nutter, Not His Job Performance

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A new poll of Philadelphia residents shows they're of two minds when it comes to Mayor Michael Nutter: they like the guy, but are not wild about the job he has done as mayor.

The Franklin and Marshall College 'State of City Poll' found that 50 percent of Philadelphia residents have a favorable view of Michael Nutter, who is now seeking re-election to a second term. 32 percent have an unfavorable view and 12 percent are undecided.

But, in a separate question, 2/3 of those surveyed rate his performance on the job as either fair or poor. Poll director Terry Madonna says only 1/3 looked favorably on the job he's done.

"Mayor Nutter's relative popularity exceeds his job performance. So people do like him personally, even if they don't particularly like the job he's doing now as mayor. About 34 percent of the residents of the city would rate the mayor's job performance as positive, compared to 66 percent who would rate the job performance as fair or poor."

Despite residents' concerns about his performance, the poll found that Nutter would still easily beat any of several politicians who have been mentioned as possible challengers to the mayor in this year's election. "He easily would best most of these people who have been talked about as potential opponents to him," said Madonna.

Among the hypothetical races posed in the poll were Nutter versus Councilman Bill Green, State Senator Anthony Williams and businessman Tom Knox. Williams this week announced he will not challenge Nutter.

Nutter's personal favorability rating in the survey was stronger among whites than blacks.

The survey shows that residents rate the job performance of City Council even worse -- 3/4 of those questioned give Council a rating of just fair or downright poor.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.