We’re a year out, but this PPP poll offers another small example of why I just don’t see Sen. Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina, getting beaten in this environment. The article notes that 56 percent of voters on their most recent poll described themseves as “very worried” about the economy, compared to 51 percent who voted in the November 2008 election.
Last year Democrats cleaned up with that group, with Barack Obama winning 54% of their votes, Bev Perdue getting 56%, and Kay Hagan getting 57%. It’s a completely different story now with Obama getting a 28% approval rating from those voters, Perdue’s at 16%, and Hagan’s at 19%.
To some extent this is because of the power shift in Washington. Last year with Republicans in control of the White House Democrats were more likely to be ‘very worried’ about the economy and now with Obama as President it’s the GOP voters who are more inclined to feel that way. Currently 78% of Republicans, 61% of independents, and 39% of Democrats say they are ‘very worried.’
Nevertheless, if more than half of voters in North Carolina continue to be very worried about the economy at this time in ten months 2010 will be a very bad election year for Democrats in the state.