NC-Sen: Cooper (D) leads incumbent Burr, per PPP

[ccharles000]

http://www.dailykos.com/

by brownsox
Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 06:30:05 PM PST
Public Policy Polling has done a preliminary run on the North Carolina Senate race, selecting arguably the strongest potential Democratic candidate (Attorney General Roy Cooper) to oppose incumbent Senator Richard Burr for North Carolina's "cursed" Senate seat.

The results are very promising for Cooper, should he get in the race.

Public Policy Polling. 12/8-9. Likely voters. MoE 3.9%

Cooper (D) 39
Burr (R) 34



For those who don't know, the seat in question has changed hands ever single election since 1974, when Democrat Robert Morgan replaced the retiring Sam Ervin. Here's the history of the seat since:

1975-81: Robert B. Morgan (D)
1981-86: John P. East (R)
1986-87: Jim Broyhill (R)
1987-93: Terry Sanford (D)
1993-99: Lauch Faircloth (R)
1999-2005: John Edwards (D)
2005-present: Richard Burr (R)

Burr has a decent chance of holding the seat, but this poll is certainly lousy for the incumbent. Granted, there's a long way to go before the election, and Republicans are at exceptionally low ebb right now. There is also an exceptionally high number of undecideds in this particular poll.

However, a five-point lead for the Democrat is still a five-point lead. Compounding the problem for North Carolina's senior Senator; his favorables are in the toilet at 32/31 favorable/unfavorable.

Cooper, meanwhile, is cruising with impressive favorables of 44/23.

This is still no more than a baseline poll, but it seems this would be a top-shelf race if Cooper were to run.

[musicblind]

1. I like this news

it makes me very happy. I honestly hope we can take that Senate seat in 2010

[ccharles000]

2. I think we can beat Burr