By Nina Mandell
DNAInfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Sen. Chuck Schumer's approval ratings may be at his lowest level since 2001, but experts say it's nothing for the normally popular senator to worry about.
Only 47 percent of registered voters in New York think Schumer is doing either an excellent or good job in office, according to a new Marist poll. It marks the first time in nine years the senior senator's popularity rating has dropped below 50 percent.
"It doesn’t surprise me," Jennifer Duffy, a political analyst at The Cook Political Report, told DNAinfo. "I think every member of Congress is seeing their numbers fall, especially Democrats these days."
Duffy pointed out that Schumer's been out front speaking about controversial issues lately, including health care and the budget deficit.
"Since Schumer’s in the leadership and out there moving not only the Senate Democrats' agenda, but in some regards Obama's agenda, it's not a big surprise," she pointed out.
Schumer’s approval rating is at its lowest since April 2001 when 49 percent approved of the job he was doing.
“I don’t think it’s a strong alarm yet,” said Robert Erikson, a political science professor at Columbia University. “I’m surprised it’s fallen that fast.”
