Poll Shows Dead Heat in NC w/Edwards as VP

[mobuto]

This poll came out yesterday:

Mason-Dixon Polling & Research for news media clients. May 14-17, 2004. N=625 active voters statewide. MoE ± 4:

"I am going to read you the names of several individuals who may be candidates for public office in 2004. The first name is . Do you recognize that name?" If "Yes": "Do you have a favorable, unfavorable or neutral opinion of ?"

Favorable / Unfavorable / Neutral / Don't Recognize
% % % %
George W. Bush 49 38 13 -
John Edwards 48 31 20 1
John Kerry 35 36 27 2

"If the 2004 presidential election were held today, for whom would you vote if the candidates were ?"

Bush 48
Kerry 41
Nader 3
Unsure 8

Bush/Cheney 46
Kerry/Edwards 45
Nader 2
Unsure 7


Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/sub/nc2004.htm (subscription req'd)

[aquart]

1. Do we want to pull anyone out of the Senate?

Seriously, can we afford that?

[mobuto]

2. Well, yes

We want to pull Senator Kerry out of the Senate and stick him in the White House.

Edwards isn't running for reelection in any event, so his candidacy changes nothing.

[Benhurst]

3. Whether or not John Edwards is the best selection for

vice president, he won't be returning to the Senate. He's not running for reelection to his Senate seat.

[AP]

9. You didn't know who Jennifer Granholm was, and now you don't know

that Edwards isn't running for senate in NC?

[Darkamber]

11. Good news is it looks like we won't loss the Senate in NC

If I recall correctly, recent poll numbers in NC show that Bowles will win the seat that Edwards is leaving.

Tomorrow Edwards will be doing fundraising with Bowles in NC.

[JI7]

4. the bush kerry numbers alone are promising for north carolina democrats

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. My brother and his wife live in NC

They say that NC is extremely volatile this year, and that Bowles is running surprisingly well in his US Senate race. They honestly believe that NC could 'go blue' this year, and think it almost certainly would, with Edwards on the ticket.

That's 15 EVs to think about, folks.

[JI7]

6. even if not in 2004

i think if democrats work hard, it can be ours in 2008. the numbers with kerry and bush alone look good to me for a state like north carolina and considering kerry is a northeasterner. i think it would be good for kerry to at least campaign in the state a few times although maybe not invest in it as much as more promising states like ohio. if he picks edwards for vp then he should put in a bit more. at the very least just getting republicans to spend money in that state would be good this year. but i think it could become more of a swing state in 2008 if democrats work hard.

[Cuban_Liberal]

7. I agree.

NC just 'feels right' this year; maybe it would be close, and maybe we might not win, but forcing that SOB Bush to spend money and time there would be worth the effort. It would also send the right signals to Democrats in the South, in general, which we need to do.

[leyton]

8. I'm surprised that Edwards' favorables are so high.

Maybe Kerry-Edwards could carry NC, I always thought it was unlikely. I'd say other favorite sons are surer deals, but I'd sure like to see NC go blue this time. Plus, this ticket would help out the downballot races. We've got a Senate race where we're ahead, but as the GOP candidate's name recognition goes up, I think it will become close.

[patricia92243]

10. Felt like my vote was wasted in NC - now I have real hope - go Democrats!!

[Endangered Specie]

12. Looks like Nader has the 2% Kerry needs...

For you NC Nader voters, I could see voting for him if it was known Kerry didnt stand a chance, but now it looks like their is a serious chance we could pull NC into the blue, wouldn't you love to see that?