I think this is the latest NC senate poll.

[ccharles000]

Election 2008: North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate: Hagan (D) 48% Dole (R) 47%
Sunday, May 11, 2008 Email to a Friend
Democrat Kay Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro, easily won the Democratic Primary last Tuesday night and starts the general election campaign essentially tied with incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in North Carolina Hagan attracting 48% of the vote statewide while Dole earns support from 47%. A month ago, Dole led Hagan by thirteen percentage points.

Hagan currently leads by three points among women while Dole wins by three among men. Hagan leads among voters under 50 while Dole leads among older voters.

Both candidates are popular with the state voters—at least before the campaign season gets under way. Fifty-six percent (56%) have a favorable opinion of Dole while 53% offer positive reviews of Hagan.

Dole is supported by 85% of Republicans, Hagan by 80% of Democrats, and Dole leads by nine points among unaffiliated voters. The incumbent is hurt by the declining value of the Republican party label. Nationally, the number of people who consider themselves to be Democrats has risen to record highs in recent months. The partisan gap (the number of Democrats minus the number of Republicans) has grown to a full ten percentage points in the early phase of Election 2008.

Hagan apparently intends to take full advantage of this partisan reality. She recently reminded Tar Heel voters that " Elizabeth Dole votes with President Bush 92 percent of the time…. you are not representing the interests if you are voting straight-party like that with Bush all the time. That is not what North Carolinians want."

Any incumbent who polls below 50% early in the campaign cycle is considered potentially vulnerable. Dole is far from the only Republican incumbent in that position this year. In addition to North Carolina, Democrats have at least a chance of picking up Republican seats in Virginia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon,Alaska, Minnesota, Kentucky and Texas.

The Presidential race in North Carolina is also much closer than Republicans would like.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that Dole is given a 65.0% of keeping her job after November.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/north_carolina/election_2008_north_carolina_senate

God I want a Dem senator.

[Mojambo]

1. If these Senate and House races keep trending this way 2008 is gonna make 2006 look like a blip. n/t

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. What's great about this poll and another recent poll in Mississippi

The GOP will now be forced to spend money -- lots of money -- to defend seats that were considered safe. This will make it harder to defend, for example, Norm Coleman's seat.

Is there any chance that we can take the seat now held by the slime, Saxby Chambliss?

[yellerpup]

3. You might just get one this time.

With Obama at the top of the ticket. Have faith and nevr lose HOPE!

[ccharles000]

4. The best thing is Hagan represented my County.

Guilford county is a good liberal county.

[Lex]

5. Bush won Guilford County in 2000

and Kerry barely squeaked by with a win in 2004.

[ccharles000]

6. We are getting better.

[yellerpup]

10. I can't place (in my mind without an atlas) Guilford Co.

We lived in Catawba in early 2004 and in Mecklenberg (NODA) in late 2004 through 2005. (Moved back to NY in Jan 2006--I really missed my Blue state!) I registered voters in Catawba where Dems are rare but true, and enjoyed helping Mecklenberg turn blue for John Kerry. Good luck to you this year! :hi:

[Lex]

12. Greensboro is in it.

UNC-G, Guilford College.

[ccharles000]

14. I live in Greensboro it is such a lovely city.

[ncteechur]

7. Amen! Dole has to GO!

[ccharles000]

9. I agree 100 percent.

[mmonk]

8. At the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, Kay said she was going to

give Liddy Dole some Ruby Red Slippers so she could click her heels and go back to Kansas.

[JCMach1]

11. We prob won't win this one, but now it will cost the Pugs major $

If they want to hold it!

[Lex]

13. With Obama at the top of the ticket, things will be

interesting this year and that fact alone will effect all the other races down the ticket.