WRAL: Poll: Hagan ahead for Senate, presidential race tight

WRAL
September 22, 2008

Raleigh, N.C. — Democrat Kay Hagan has opened a slight lead over incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole with six weeks left until the election, but the presidential race remains close in North Carolina, according to a WRAL News poll released Monday.

Polling firm Rasmussen Reports surveyed 500 likely voters across the state last Thursday and found Hagan leads Dole by a 51 to 45 percent margin. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Hagan has a double-digit lead among both female and independent voters, and has overwhelming support – 88 percent – among black voters, according to the poll. Dole leads among voters with families and older voters.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate John McCain holds a 50 to 47 percent edge over Democrat Barack Obama among North Carolina voters, according to the poll.

The poll shows the presidential race clearly breaks along racial and ideological lines. About two-thirds of white voters back McCain, while 98 percent of black voters and two-thirds of other minority voters support Obama, according to the poll. Obama also garnered the support of two-thirds of people who identified themselves as moderate and holds a 52 to 44 percent lead among independent voters, according to the poll.

As with Dole, McCain is favored more by older voters and those with families. But the poll shows no gender gap in the presidential race, with 48 percent of women backing McCain and 49 percent for Obama.

McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate appears to have had little impact on his standing among female voters. Fifty-three percent of women surveyed had a favorable image of Palin, but 42 percent said she was the wrong choice as a vice presidential candidate.

The economy is by far the top election issue among North Carolina voters, with 56 percent calling it most important. National security issues ranked a distant second at 19 percent, followed by other domestic issues at 8 percent.

Back to The Newsroom