Poll: 49% oppose Anthony Weiner's mayoral bid

Nearly half of New York voters believe former Rep. Anthony Weiner should not run for mayor, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday morning.

The poll shows 49 percent of New Yorkers say they oppose his bid try, while 38 percent say they support it.

The results come as Weiner, 48, who resigned from Congress in 2011 after posting a lewd photo of himself on Twitter, announced in a YouTube video released Wednesday morning that he was launching his bid for mayor.

The poll shows a gender gap: 52 percent of women and 46 percent of men say he shouldn't run.

In his campaign ad, Weiner says he hopes to reduce rent, provide more jobs with benefits, improve schools, keep streets safe and reform regulations on small businesses. "We can make a difference, if we're willing to fight for it," he says.

In the video, Weiner also hints at the sexting scandal on Twitter that drove him from office. "Look, I made some big mistakes -- and I know I let a lot of people down. But I've also learned some tough lessons. I'm running for mayor because I've been fighting for the middle class and those struggling to make it my entire life. And I hope I get a second chance to work for you."

The Quinnipiac University poll, conducted before Weiner made his run official, shows his support unchanged from last month's survey. He has 15 percent of the vote, second among the Democrats only to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has 25 percent support.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former Comptroller Bill Thompson have 10 percent each, Comptroller John Liu has 6 percent, and former Councilman Sal Albanese has 2 percent. In perhaps a telling finding, 27 percent of voters are undecided.

Quinn is polling 3 points lower than her 28 percent in last month's survey. She would need 40 percent of the Democratic vote in the September primary to avoid a runoff.

"With former Congressman Anthony Weiner seeking the Democratic nod, it still looks like Council Speaker Christine Quinn against the guys," Quinnipiac polling director Maurice Carroll said in a statement. "But where she once was brushing up against the magic 40 percent number that could get her past a runoff, the wear and tear of the campaign, and possibly the addition of Weiner, are taking a toll on the front-runner."