Appointed U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand holds a narrow lead over former Governor George Pataki in a hypothetical match-up for New York State’s 2010 Senate race.

The first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the campaign shows Gillibrand with 44% of the vote and Pataki with 41%.

However, Gillibrand’s numbers appear to be deflated a bit by the fact that 12% of Democrats say they would prefer to vote for some other candidate. Ever since Gillibrand was appointed by Governor David Paterson to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton earlier this year, some Democrats have voiced the opinion that she is too conservative for the state.

Pataki, governor of the state from 1995 to 2006, recently said he is considering entering the race but has not set a timetable for making a decision.

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Earlier this year, Gillibrand trailed New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in a potential primary match-up. Maloney, however, has since left the race. Despite some internal party unhappiness with Gillibrand, Democratic leaders have discouraged any primary challenges of her next year.

Gillibrand is viewed favorably by 39% of the state’s voters and unfavorably by 42%. Those figures include six percent (6%) with a Very Favorable view and 17% who voice a Very Unfavorable opinion.

Pataki’s numbers are 46% favorable and 48% unfavorable. Those numbers include 13% with a Very Favorable opinion of the former governor and 17% with a Very Unfavorable view.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of New York State voters favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. Just 38% are opposed. That’s a much higher level of support than is found nationally for the program.

The president continues to earn rave reviews in New York: 61% approve of the way he is doing his job including 48% who Strongly Approve.

This survey was conducted in partnership with WNYW in New York.

Rasmussen Reports will release new data from New York's 2010 gubernatorial race at 5 pm EST.

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