These days just about every politician can use a hug, so it was only fitting that Mayor Bloomberg got one yesterday from the “Sesame Street” character Rosita after he announced that NYC-TV would be airing a block of Spanish-language children’s programs every morning.
The comforting clasp came at a good time — right after a new Quinnipiac University poll showed Democratic challenger Bill Thompson closing the gap in the mayor’s race to 10 points from 22 six weeks earlier.
The mayor’s campaign suggested the results — Bloomberg over Thompson 47-37 percent — were skewed because pollsters had labeled Bloomberg an “independent” in a June 16 poll and “both a Republican and independent” in the latest poll conducted July 21-27.
Quinnipiac pollster Maurice Carroll responded, “I can’t imagine that made any difference.”
What clearly made a difference is that large numbers of black voters began migrating to Thompson, the black comptroller. He led 56-30 percent among that group, compared to 43-42 percent six weeks earlier.
But the poll also showed the mayor’s approval rating hovering at 63-29 percent, down from 66-27 percent but still considered strong.