Today’s Q poll finds GOP gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino has dramatically reduced the double-digit lead long enjoyed by his Democratic opponent, AG Andrew Cuomo, coming within just six percentage points of the once-comfortable frontrunner and turning this contest into a real horse race.

In a head-to-head match-up among likely voters, Cuomo leads Paladino, 49-43. Seven percent of voters are still undecided and 21 percent who said they prefer one candidate to the other said they might yet change their minds before the November election.

The poll did NOT include Rick Lazio, who so far remains in the race on the Conservative line. It also shows Paladino a lot closer to Cuomo than even the Rasmussen poll earlier this week that pegged the race at 54-38, again without Lazio in the running.

“The question was whether Carl Paladino would get a bounce from his big Republican primary victory. The answer is yes. He’s within shouting distance and – you can count on it – he will be shouting,” said Q pollster Mickey Carroll.

“Attorney General Andrew Cuomo might be a victim of his own excess. Politicians and polls have depicted him so relentlessly as a sure thing that he might be a victim of the ‘throw the bums out’ attitude that hits incumbents in this angry year.”

Cuomo leads 87-8 among his fellow Democrats while Paladino leads 83-13 with his fellow Republicans and 49-43 percent among the all-important independent voters, who could end up being a key swing voting bloc.

Only 18 percent of poll respondents said they consider themselves part of the Tea Party movement, but they overwhelmingly back Paladino 77-18. The Buffalo businessman also has a slight edge with men (49-46), while women are with Cuomo (54-34).

When it comes to favorability, Cuomo has the edge: 51-34 to Paladino’s 36-31, with 31 percent saying they don’t know enough about him to have an opinion. That leaves a lot of room for Cuomo and his allies to define Paladino – if they do it quickly.

092210 NY GOV + BP

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