Topic

D.C. vs. NYC: The Poll

Has the balance of power (and the high spirits) really shifted southward? We polled 50 New Yorkers and 50 District denizens to find out.*

Published Feb 8, 2009

Are things in this country getting better or worse?
Washingtonians
Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Worse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
New Yorkers
Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Worse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Which city bears more blame for our nation’s troubles?
Washingtonians
New York . . . . . . . . . . .16
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
"Dick Cheney"
New Yorkers
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Which city is currently more powerful?
Washingtonians
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
New Yorkers
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Who will do a better job of running the failing banks?
Washingtonians
The government . . . . .19
The bankers . . . . . . . . .17
New Yorkers
The government . . . . . . 16
The bankers . . . . . . . . . . 19
“Chimpanzees throwing darts at a board.”

Is your life getting better or worse?
Washingtonians
Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Worse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
New Yorkers
Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Worse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Would you describe your debt level as …
Washingtonians
Overwhelming. . . . . . . 4
Largely under control . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Not a problem . . . . . .24
New Yorkers
Overwhelming . . . . . . . . .5
Largely under control . 29
Not a problem . . . . . . . . 12

Which city is more morally bankrupt?
Washingtonians
New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
New Yorkers
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
D.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Should your city become its own state?
Washingtonians
Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
New Yorkers
Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Would you ever move ... Washingtonians
Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
New Yorkers
Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

What’s your best celebrity sighting in your city?
Washingtonians
Barack Obama (7). Bill Clinton (3). W. (3). Bob Dole (2). Tobey Maguire. Oprah. Justice Souter. Joe Biden. Stevie Wonder. Ludacris. Robert Novak. Rosario Dawson. “The CEO of Hewlett-Packard.” George Stephanopoulos. “Joe Lieberman at the Safeway.”
New Yorkers
Sarah Jessica Parker (2). Ethan Hawke (2). Nicole Richie. Nicole Kidman. Mos Def. Al Franken. Rachel Weisz. Dave Chappelle. David Bowie. Samuel L. Jackson. Sarah Silverman. John Leguizamo. Kofi Annan. Chloë Sevigny. Elijah Wood. “I saw Matthew Broderick having a celebrity sighting of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Matthew looked stoked.”

How would you improve the Acela?
“Free Wi-Fi.” “Get me there on time—I’ve been late for two interviews.” “Make it break down less.” “Make it less expensive than an airplane.” “Rip it out and start over.”

*NOTE: Some respondents didn’t answer every question.

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