Caroline Kennedy's less than spectacular entrance into the political fray - including a series of "you know"-filled interviews which drew criticism and ridicule in the press - has taken its toll on public opinion. A new Quinnipiac poll shows that voters in New York state now prefer Andrew Cuomo over Caroline Kennedy as the appointee to take Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacated Senate seat, though a plurality of New Yorkers believe Governor David Paterson will choose Kennedy anyway.

In the latest survey Kennedy trails Cuomo by seven points, 24% to 31%. This represents an eleven-point net swing against her from the last survey three weeks ago when she led Cuomo 33% to 29%.

Kennedy's favorable ratings have also taken a hit, dropping a net of 19 points in the last 21 days. On December 23 Kennedy's net favorable rating was +29 (46% favorable, 17% unfavorable), in the current survey it's down to +10 (39% favorable, 29% unfavorable).

Meanwhile, Cuomo's job approval rating remains high (69% approve, 16% disapprove) as do his favorable ratings (57% favorable, 10% unfavorable).

Nearly half (48%) now say Kennedy is not qualified to be a United States Senator, and 40% say she would not be a "good" Senator, while 37% say she would be.

Despite these less than stellar ratings, 38% of New Yorkers still believe Governor Paterson will choose Kennedy for the seat, while 33% think he will not. Even these numbers have dropped dramatically: three weeks ago 48% said they thought Paterson would choose Kennedy.