Anthony WeinerNEW YORK – New York City mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner plunged to fourth place among Democrats in the first poll taken since he admitted to having illicit online exchanges with women even after he resigned from Congress amid a sexting scandal.
The poll – which Weiner led just five days ago – also showed about half of likely Democratic voters saying Weiner should abandon his mayoral bid.
Weiner’s support fell from 26 percent last week to 16 percent in Monday’s Quinnipiac University poll. Last week’s survey was taken largely before Weiner’s latest scandal was revealed.
“He’s in a free-fall,” said poll director Maurice Carroll. “He can’t win. He simply can’t win.”
Standing side by side with his wife, Weiner admitted last week that he had tawdry online exchanges – including X-rated photos – with a then-22 year-old Indiana woman after he stepped down from Congress in 2011 over similar behavior. He later said he had similar exchanges with two other women after his resignation.