The latest revelation that Anthony Weiner continued to engage in inappropriate explicit conversations on the Internet following his resignation from Congress has dramatically hurt candidacy, sending him back into a 3-way battle with Thompson and de Blasio for second place, a new poll from The Wall Street Journal-NBC 4 New York-Marist showed.

Among registered Democrats, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, 25% support City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for mayor and 16% support Mr. Weiner. The poll dumped Mr. Weiner off stage as the solid frontrunner, putting him in a statistical tie for second place with Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former City Comptroller Bill Thompson, who have the support of 14%, respectfully.

Mr. Weiner’s unfavorability rating has surged to 55% compared with an unfavorability rating of 36% in June.

“These new revelations have cost Anthony Weiner the lead in the Democratic field,” said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “His negatives are at an all-time high. There’s been a significant erosion in people’s willingness to say he deserves another chance. They are more reluctant to grant that.”

The Marist poll signifies, however, the chances of Bill Thompson to become the Democratic nominee for mayor for the second time in a row, as a Quinnipiac poll, released Wednesday, showed him beating all of his potential rivals in a runoff primary. Based on the results of the current poll, if Weiner continues to lose support, it is safe to say that Mr. Thompson is a safe 2nd in the September 10th primary.

Nonetheless, Democratic voters are still reluctant to suggest Mr. Weiner should drop out of the race as his rivals push him to do so. According to the poll, 47% believe Mr. Weiner deserves a second chance, while 45% said he doesn’t have the character to be mayor. When asked if Mr. Weiner should drop out of the race, 43% of Democrats said he should and 47% said he should continue to run.

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)