It’s not quite 99 percent, but the numbers are still pretty good for Occupy Wall Street protesters. A recent poll compiled by Quinnipiac University shows that 67 percent of New Yorkers support the views of OWS, and that 72 percent of city residents believe the protesters should be allowed to stay in Zuccotti Park as long as they’d like. Talking Points Memo has more:
72 percent polled in the city said that if protestors obey the law they should be allowed to stay as long as they want. 24 percent said they should be limited. There was a trend based on income within those findings, but not what you might think: the lower the income group, the more likely a the respondent would say OWS protests should be stopped at some point. Only 16 percent of those who make over $100,000 felt OWS should be halted in the future, while 34 percent of those who make less than $30-thousand thought so. Still, a majority of all groups said it should continue as long as the protesters aren’t breaking the law.
Just as important for the protesters is that 72 percent of poll respondents said they understood the goals of OWS either “very well” or “fairly well.” As for the police, disapproval of the NYPD’s handling of the Wall Street protests barely edged out approval, at 46 to 45 percent.
Asked who is to blame for the current state of the nation’s economy;
- 37 percent of New York City voters blame the administration of former President George W. Bush;
- 21 percent blame Wall Street and financial institutions;
- 18 percent blame Congress;
- 11 percent blame President Barack Obama.
New York City voters support 61 – 28 percent an extension of the state’s so-called ‘Millionaire’s Tax.’ Even Republicans support the extension 55 – 38 percent.
Voters also support 73 – 19 percent, including 48 – 40 percent among Republicans, tougher government regulation of banks and Wall Street firms.
The poll was conducted between Oct. 12-16 by the phone.
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