Anthony Weiner, Eliot Spitzer candidacies 'embarrassing,' says poll

A majority of New Yorkers find Anthony Weiner's and Eliot Spitzer's attempts to return to politics after sex scandals "embarrassing," according to a Siena College poll released Monday.

The survey found 62 percent of New York City voters and 68 percent of state voters are embarrassed by the national attention the two Democrats have attracted. Another 8 percent of city voters and 8 percent of state voters find their bids for office "entertaining," the poll showed.

Weiner, who left Congress two years ago after revelations about several cyber-affairs and is now running for mayor, has fewer fans. The survey showed 75 percent of city voters and 80 percent of state voters view him unfavorably. Weiner is viewed favorably by 18 percent of city voters and 11 percent of voters statewide.

Spitzer, a former governor forced to resign in 2008 after admitting to patronizing prostitutes, was viewed unfavorably by 52 percent of city voters and 59 percent of state voters. Spitzer is seeking the Democratic nomination for city comptroller. He is viewed favorably by 38 percent of city voters and 33 percent by voters statewide.

The poll, conducted Aug. 4 to 7, surveyed 814 state voters of all political parties with city voters accounting for 39 percent of the sample. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points, and Spitzer and Weiner were the only subjects.

Spitzer's campaign declined to comment on the poll. Weiner's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In another survey, The New York Times-Siena College poll released Thursday, Weiner was in fourth place among Democratic mayoral candidates, with 10 percent support. He had been at or near the front of the pack until a second wave of the sexting scandal hit on July 23.

Spitzer led Democratic rival Scott Stringer, 44 percent to 35 percent, in the comptroller's race, according to that poll.

Also Monday, Weiner previewed his first television ad, called "Powerful Voices."

"Look, powerful voices have made it clear from the very beginning they didn't want me to win, but this isn't about what they want," Weiner says in the ad, which does not mention the sexting scandals. "They've gotten their way for far too long. If you give me the chance I will fight for you and your family every single day."

In another new ad released Monday, by Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, Weiner's image is featured alongside those of Democrats Christine Quinn, John Liu, Bill de Blasio and Bill Thompson. The spot, Lhota's third, is called "Serious."

"This primary election has become embarrassing, a circus," an announcer says in the 31-second spot. "Being mayor is a serious job, and we deserve a serious candidate. We deserve Joe Lhota."

Quinn Monday received the endorsement of the New York League of Conservation Voters. De Blasio got the support of the Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802, with the union performing a jazz number in his honor at a Times Square news conference.