No matter how far behind him the Caroline Kennedy mess gets, David Paterson just can't seem to gain any new upward momentum in favorability, job approval or head to head re-election match-ups. According to a new Siena Research Institute Poll (626 RVs, March 16-18, MOE +/- 3.9%):

Paterson is viewed favorably by 29 percent of voters and unfavorably by 58 percent, down from last month‟s 40-47 percent rating. His job performance rating is 19 percent positive, 78 percent negative down from 28-69 percent last month. Only 14 percent of voters are prepared to elect Paterson as Governor in 2010, compared to 67 percent who prefer "someone else." That‟s down from 19-57 percent last month. [...]

In a hypothetical 2010 Democratic primary for Governor, Cuomo leads Paterson 67-17 percent, up from last month's 53-27 percent. In December Paterson led 49-26 percent. In a potential general election matchup, Giuliani beats Paterson 56-33 percent, up from 51-36 percent last month. Paterson led 51-38 percent in December. Cuomo leads Giuliani 51-41 percent, similar to last month's 51-38 percent.

A Siena spokesman calls the speed with which Paterson's numbers are falling "staggering." While there is more than a year and a half until the election, it's difficult to see how he turns this around and really underscores how perilous being a governor these days can be.

Paterson's mis-handled Senate appointment is widely considered responsible for setting this downward spiral in motion and it turns out Paterson's unpopularity may be rubbing off on the recipient of that appointment, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. As of now, the best Gillibrand can do against a hypothetical match-up with former Governor George Pataki is a tie.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a 26-20 percent favorable rating (down from 34-20 percent last month), with 54 percent of voters having no opinion. Former Governor George Pataki has a 49-41 percent favorable rating. While 23 percent of voters are prepared to elect Gillibrand in 2010, 37 percent prefer ,,someone else.‟ In hypothetical match-ups, Gillibrand beats Rep. Peter King 47-23 percent (up from 40-27 percent last month) and is in a dead heat (41-41 percent) against Pataki.

No doubt this tie is largely a function of name recognition but look at that trend. What is it that Sen. Gillibrand has done to earn a dropping favorability rating? Certainly nothing except be inextricably linked to the toxic Paterson. Gillibrand has plenty of time to create new associations with voters, but I don't think Paterson has the same luxury. At some point, a decision is going to have to be made and I hope all parties agree that Paterson must drop out and endorse Cuomo for governor.