FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2008INTERVIEWS: DEAN DEBNAM 888-621-6988 / 919-880-4888 (serious media
inquiries only please, other questions can be directed to Tom Jensen)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLL: TOM JENSEN 919-744-6312
Concern over economy pushes Obama into NC tie
Raleigh, N.C. – With concern over the economy at an all time high, Barack Obama has
pulled into a tie with John McCain in North Carolina for the first time in a Public Policy
Polling survey. Each candidate has 46%, with Libertarian Bob Barr picking up 5%.
There isn’t much doubt what’s driving this increased level of competitiveness. The
numbers of voters in the state listing the economy as their biggest issue has hovered
around 50% for most of the year but with the increased turmoil in the last week that
number has now jumped to 58%. Barack Obama has a 24 point lead with those voters.
“The more voters are concerned about the economy instead of things like immigration,
taxes, and social issues the better Democrats are going to do in North Carolina,” said
Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “That’s the direction the election is
headed right now and if it remains on that course the state is going to be extremely
competitive.”
National polls have shown Barack Obama gaining anywhere from 3 to 9 points in the last
week so this 4 point shift in Obama’s direction since last week in North Carolina fits into
that framework.
In the state’s Senate race, Kay Hagan is out to her biggest lead yet. She now leads 46-41
over Elizabeth Dole. The economy is driving her success as well. She has a 57-30
among voters who state it as their top concern.
Read more here:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NC_92168.pdf