Wilson Daily Times: Obama, Hagan gaining state support, poll shows

Wilson Daily Times
Matt Shaw
September 30, 2008

Concerns about the economy are causing more North Carolinians to support Barack Obama. a new poll shows.

Obama led John McCain, 47-45 percent, in the survey released Monday by Public Policy Polling of Raleigh. A week ago, the candidates were tied.

The same survey found that Kay Hagan has opened her largest lead yet — 8 percentage points, up from 5 percent a week ago — over Elizabeth Dole in the U.S. Senate race.

Those surveyed cited the ongoing economic crisis as, by far, their top concern in this year’s elections.

“Things are getting out of control for Republicans in North Carolina pretty fast,” said Dean Debnam, PPP president. “They have to somehow shift the conversation back to issues that voters trust them more on because if this continues to be an election about the economy, Democrats are going to win.”

Public Policy Polling surveyed 1,040 likely voters over the weekend, following a week of economic turmoil.

The poll found that 64 percent of the respondents, up from 58 percent a week earlier, cited the economy as their top concern. Among those people, Obama has a 55-38 percent edge over McCain.

According to the poll, Obama now has 36 percent of white voters with 6 percent undecided. If Obama tops 35 percent of that demographic in the actual vote, he is likely to win the state, Debnam said.

Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, now has a 46-38 percent lead for Dole’s Senate seat, pollsters found. Hagan’s lead was 5 points a week ago and a single point three weeks ago.

Hagan is favored 55-32 by voters listing the economy as their top issue.

Dole leads Hagan 47-38 percent among white voters, but a Republican usually needs at least a 20-point advantage with whites to offset overwhelming African-American support for Democratic candidates, the pollsters said.

More information can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

Obama supporters knocking on doors

Meanwhile, Obama volunteers spent the weekend knocking on nearly 108,000 doors throughout the state, including in Wilson.

The campaign had set a goal of 100,000. More than 3,000 volunteers met at 460 canvassing locations statewide to distribute campaign literature at 107,703 homes.

“This is a record achievement in North Carolina, and we are proud of the hard work of all of our volunteers and supporters,” said Marc Farinella, state campaign director. “North Carolinians know that we need change, and increasingly they recognize that Barack Obama and Joe Biden will provide the kind of change we need.”

Back to The Newsroom