There have been several polls showing different results on whether New Yorkers believe Gov. David Paterson should finish out the rest of his term despite allegations that he intervened in a domestic abuse case involving one of his aides. The Siena Research Institute has come up yet with another result that differs from earlier surveys.

In a poll conducted March 7, 55 percent say Paterson should finish his terms while 37 percent say he should resign, with 9 percent undecided. Only 21 percent would support the state legislature moving to impeach him if he does not resign.

Last week, Quinnipiac University reported on a survey conducted March 1-2 that showed 61 percent favor Paterson finishing his term while 31 percent want him to resign. Quinnipiac then went back to the field on March 3-4 after new disclosures about Paterson emerged and found that support for him continuing in the job had plunged to 46 percent, with 42 percent favoring resignation.

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A Rasmussen Reports survey conducted March 1 had 53 percent saying Paterson should not resign with 28 percent saying he should and 19 percent undecided.

A SurveyUSA poll conducted March 2 said 47 percent favored resignation while 44 percent said Paterson should stay in office, with 9 percent undecided.

Siena and Quinnipiac polled registered voters; Rasmussen surveyed likely voters; and the SurveyUSA poll was of adults in general.

Siena also offered New Yorkers a chance to engage in some nostalgia, asking which of four governors, including Paterson, they would like to see hold the office today. Democrat Mario Cuomo and Republican George Pataki tied at 32 percent each; Eliot Spitzer, who resigned after revelations about his use of an escort service, got 17 percent; and Paterson was chosen by 7 percent. Twelve percent were undecided.

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