August 2008 DecisionMaker Poll

1. How likely are you to vote in the November election for president and other state offices:

Definitely Voting 82
Very Likely 14
Somewhat Likely 4

 

2. Will you cast your vote during early voting or on Election day?

Election Day 58
Early Voting 32
Not Sure 9

 

3. Do you feel things in North Carolina are generally headed in the right direction or have gotten off on the wrong track?

Right direction 32
Wrong track 50
Not sure 18

 

4. What specific issue in North Carolina needs the most attention from state government?

Lower healthcare costs 20
Improve public education 22
Create jobs/improve economy 34
Hold down taxes 16
Improve roads/highways 4
Not sure 4

 

5. Do you think there are major differences between North Carolina Democrats and Republicans on the issue you most care about?

Yes 67
No 20
Not sure 14

 

6. If the election for state legislature were held today, would you be voting:

Democratic 42
Republican 40
Neither 3
Not sure 14

 

7. If the election for president were held today, would you be voting for:

Democrat Barack Obama 40
Republican John McCain 46
Libertarian Bob Barr 2
Not sure 12

 

8. If the election for U.S. Senate were held today, would you be voting for:

Democrat Kay Hagan 41
Republican Elizabeth Dole 44
Libertarian Chris Cole 4
Not sure 11

 

9. If the election for governor were held today, would you be voting for:

Democrat Bev Perdue 43
Republican Pat McCrory 41
Libertarian Michael Munger 3
Not sure 13

 

10. If the election for North Carolina Supreme Court were held today, would you be voting for:

Robert (Bob) Edmunds 12
Suzanne Reynolds 14
Not sure 74

 

11. Which political party, Republican or Democrat, controls the office of lieutenant governor?

Democrat 48
Republican 10
Not sure 42

 

12. Who is the lieutenant governor of North Carolina?

Beverly Perdue 28
Someone else 4
Not sure 68

 

13. The maximum sentence for a person convicted of molesting a child is 2 years in prison. Is this sentence too long, too short, or just about right?

Too long 1
Too short 93
About right 3
Not sure 2

 

14. Do you support the death penalty for first-degree murder in North Carolina?

Yes 64
No 24
Not sure 12

 

15. Do you think state and local government has too much control or influence over your life?

Yes 48
No 46
Not sure 6

 

16. When you think about your friends, neighbors or people you know, do you think they consider themselves liberal, moderate or conservative in their political beliefs?

Very liberal 4
Somewhat liberal 9
Somewhat conservative 29
Very conservative 17
Moderate 25
Not sure 16

 

17. Is the best way to improve public education in North Carolina, more government spending on the current system or allowing parents more choice over which school to attend?

More on current system 29
More parental choice 55
Not sure 15

 

18. Which of the following is the best way to stimulate the economy in North Carolina:

Cut the gasoline tax 17
Cut income taxes 30
Cash incentives/businesses 14
State spending/projects 3
Raise the minimum wage 26
Not sure 10

 

19. Should gas tax revenue be used exclusively for road construction and maintenance or should a portion of it be used for bicycle paths, airports and ferries?

Roads only 58
Paths/airports/ferries 34
Not sure 8

 

20. Currently, there is a $4,000 limit on the amount of money any individual can give to a political campaign. Do you think this limit is too high, too low or just about right?

Too high 21
Too low 5
About right 64
Not sure 10

 

21. Would you support raising or eliminating the contribution limit if politicians were requried to immediately disclose every contribution they receive?

Yes 55
No 30
Not sure 15

 

22. Should car insurance be more expensive for drivers with poor driving records or should all drivers be asked to pay just a little bit more to make insurance more affordable for everyone?

More expensive/poor drivers 85
All drivers pay more 12
Not sure 2

 

23. Would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who supports allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in North Carolina's Community Colleges?

More 18
Less 71
No difference 7
Not sure 4

 

24. What amount would you say is the right amount to pay public school teachers:

$25,000-$40,000 11
$40,000-$50,000 38
$50,000-$60,000 28
$60,000-$70,000 6
Over $70,000 7
Not sure 10

 

25. If the average compensation for a public school teacher were approximately $48,000 per year plus health benefits, would you say that is too high, too low or just about right?

Too high 7
Too low 25
About right 63
Not sure 5

 

26. Should some government benefits like health insurance or college scholarships be totally free of charge or should each recipient have to pay some amount, no matter how small, in order to receive the benefit?

Free 28
Pay some amount 63
Not sure 9

 

27. Should children in families making up to $63,000 be able to attend community college free of charge?

Yes 38
No 54
Not sure 7

 

28. Should North Carolina adopt stricter vehicle emission standards, like those of California, which reduced air pollution but resulted in decreased fuel mileage for cars?

Yes 38
No 51
Not sure 12

 

29. Age Group

18-25 5
26-40 15
41-55 33
55-65 22
66+ 25

 

30. Political Philosophy

Very liberal 6
Somewhat liberal 10
Somewhat conservative 22
Very conservative 23
Moderate 36
Not sure 3

 

31. Regardless of your party registration, do you:

Always vote Democrat 15
Vote Dem. More than Rep. 25
Vote Rep. more than Dem. 31
Always vote Republican 7
Both equally/split ticket 18
Not sure 4

 

32. Education

Less than HS Graduate 5
High school graduate 23
2-yr. college/technical 26
4-yr. college graduate 29
Post graduate 16
Not sure 1

 

33. In your current employment status, are you:

Self-employed 11
Working for a private co. 32
Work for government 13
Spouse (housewife) 7
Retired 32
Unemployed 5
Not sure 1

 

34. National Heritage

Caucasian 79
African-American 18
Hispanic 0
Native American 1
Asian 0
Other 2
Refused 2

 

35. Affiliation

Democrat 46
Republican 35
Unaffiliated 19

 

36. Gender

Male 47
Female 53

 

37. Geographic area

Charlotte 21
Western 14
Piedmont Triad 20
Triangle 20
Northeast 11
Southeast 14

 

38. Voting History

New 11
One of three 20
Two of three 22
Three of three 47

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