Poll: GOP Sen. Burr Continues To Struggle In North Carolina
The new poll of North Carolina from Public Policy Polling (D) confirms that GOP Sen. Richard Burr is in serious trouble going into his 2010 re-election race. The odd thing is that Burr's approval and horse-race numbers are more characteristic of an unknown candidate in an open-seat race, than they are of an incumbent.
Burr has an approval rating of only 35% and a disapproval of 31% -- with a very high undecided rate of 33%. Democratic state Attorney General Roy Cooper leads Burr by 41%-37%, with a 41% favorable and 20% unfavorable. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a relatively conservative Democrat, has even lower name recognition at 23% favorable and 21% unfavorable -- and Burr is only ahead by 39%-34%.
From the pollster's analysis: "If Roy Cooper enters the race for US Senate this race automatically becomes a tossup, if not even slightly Democratic leaning. It's quite unusual for an incumbent who doesn't have major ethical problems to trail an unannounced challenger."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Perhaps the good citizens of NC have been paying attention to the idiocy spewing from his mouth lately (see Steve Benen's post on Burr "encouraging" a run on banks). We can hope, anyway.
April 15, 2009 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Burr put his foot in his mouth recently when he told a story of how he called his wife after learning how dire the banking situation was and told her to hit the ATM's at take out as much money as possible over the next few days (this was on a Friday after the banks closed) because he feared there could be a collapse.
So he admitted to acting on insider information, while not illegal is certainly is immoral, and it was a dangerous act as it could have started a run on the banks if word of his actions spread.
April 15, 2009 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
To say the annoying comment of the thread: Um 2010 is a long way away. This poll is encouraging, but Burr has made a couple of blunders recently. Let's see where we stand this time next year.
That said, this poll reinforces the general North Carolinian idea that Burr is damaged goods. If this can be sustained, then awesome.
April 15, 2009 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It also reinforces the notion of Roy Cooper being the most popular politician in North Carolina. Those numbers wouldn't be as high for anyone else but Cooper could win this in a walk.
He has been pro-active against predatory lending practices and sub-prime lending. He's earned a reputation as a consumer advocate and his handling of the Duke rape case didn't hurt him. He pronounced those players "innocent" and chided the prosecutor for grandstanding and ignorning evidence that clearly pointed to their innocence.
Reminds me: Must start "Draft Roy Cooper For Senate" website.
April 15, 2009 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I'm sure that subpoenaing MySpace and finding 2k NC sex offenders on there can't hurt either.
(wow, MySpace really IS the place for predators, isn't it?)
April 15, 2009 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure is. I used to frequent the American Idol boards. There were sooooo many trolling those boards looking to hook up with youngsters. Gross.
April 15, 2009 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This senate seat is cursed. It has switched parties every term for the past 35 years.
1974- Democrat;
1980-Republican;
1986-Democrat (Republican incumbent committed suicide);
1992-Republican (Popular Democratic Senator had heart surgery and couldn't campaign in Sept/Oct, fell behind and never recovered;
1998-Democrat (Edwards);
2004-Burr.
2010-Democrat. YAY!
April 15, 2009 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look, I live in Tidewater Virginia, which borders NC. I visit politically-aware friends in Raleigh and Wilmington all the time. And I never even heard of Burr until just recently. He's truly a stealth senator. Swoosh!
April 15, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm one NC Republican who wants Senator Burr thrown out the door: http://republicanagainstburr.blogspot.com/
The man has simply not accomplished much of anything for North Carolina. And with all the important issues now before us, he's working on fluff stuff. North Carolina deserves better.
May 19, 2009 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink