SurveyUSA in conjunction with WTVD has released their latest round of NC polls.
They have McCain leading 49-45; Dole ahead 46-41, and Perdue leading McCrory 47-44.
The first thing that jumps out at me is the percentage of the vote they have the Libertarian candidates garnering in the Governor and Senate races. I don’t think anyone really believes Chris Cole is getting 7% of the vote in the Senate race (well, other than SurveyUSA), and Mike Munger’s 5% probably exceeds even his expectations.
So, factor in those couple of things along with the low number of undecided’s and I think these numbers are off a bit. Every poll taken lately has Dole’s lead closer to 10 points. So if you take Cole’s numbers down to a more likely 2-3%, then Dole is back up where everyone else has it. To say Hagan is closing the gap on Dole is probably stretching it a bit — it’s more a factor of the wacky Libertarian vote than anything Hagan is doing.
Also notably, SurveyUSA has the governor’s race at a 3 point spread, much like we had it last month. This makes a pretty good argument that PPP’s results showing Perdue +9 was more of an outlier poll and not really accurate.
Presidential numbers are pretty much in line with everybody else. Although I do question the small number of undecideds.
Wacky?
That’s just hurtful.
It’s true that we’d be very happy if these poll numbers hold up. But Libs have gotten 4.5% of the Gov race before, so I don’t think that 5% is “beyond” my expectations.
We’ll be in the final, statewide televised debate on October 15, in Charlotte. I’m looking forward to it….
Mike Munger
Mike,
“Wacky” was in reference to the poll numbers. It was not meant to be an adjective of Libertarians.
Sorry for the confusion,
Chris
Well watch what you say please, the general consensus of third party candidates are usually influenced by the microscopic amount of biased media coverage they actually DO get. I don’t want to see the only thing normal, uninvolved citizens hearing before they go to the polls, is a misunderstood statement making Libertarians look “wacky.”