Helms most, Edwards least popular Sens

[ccharles000]

North Carolina voters say that Jesse Helms is their favorite Senator. John Edwards, whose reputation has been better, was the least popular, according to a poll by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling.

PPP asked more than 750 state residents to rate the state's last seven U.S. Senators. When asked for their favorite, 35 percent named Helms, the only Senator to be re-elected in more than 40 years. Edwards was picked by 19 percent and Terry Sanford by 16 percent.

But when the poll asked for which Senator voters had the least favorable opinion of, 41 percent named Edwards, a Democrat. Helms, a Republican, was named by 29 percent. Predictably, Helms was less popular with voters who identified as liberal or Democrats.

Sanford, a Democrat, had the lowest negative rating.

"You could make an argument from the overall numbers that Sanford is actually the most positively remembered of this group," said PPP's Tom Jensen.

Current Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan were near the bottom of both questions. Burr was the favorite of 4 percent and the least favorite of 3 percent. Hagan was the favorite of 9 percent and the least favorite of 7 percent.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/helms_most_edwards_least_popular_sens

[depakid]

1. So much for the notion that North Carolina's changed at heart

[ccharles000]

2. While I hate that people still like Helms NC did go blue and it is getting bluer by the year.

[depakid]

4. My sister's been saying this since the 1970's

Yet every time I go back there it's the same chock full o' fundies and racists place. And that's the Research Triangle.

Much as I appreciate everyone's efforts last year- without the financial meltdown and two of the least competent candidates to run for office on a major party ticket in 44 years, the results would very likely have been different.

[DarthDem]

6. No, I Don't Agree

I hear you, but I think the worm has finally turned in North Carolina. I lived there for several years early in the decade, and like you, I heard promises and promises of things getting bluer, but the voters around Charlotte kept voting for that racist in the Senate and sending Robin Hayes, one of the most corrupt (unindicted) members of Congress in the last 25 years, back for more from NC-08. Finally, that all changed, and the ridiculous, stupid Liddy Dole was thrown out, Hayes was finally canned, and a black man won the state's electoral votes for president.

I do agree that some of this abrupt change was because of the financial meltdown; after all, Charlotte is a banking city first and foremost. However, I don't think there's any going back. Burr will be the next causalty in 2010. Call it all a hunch.

[KharmaTrain]

3. A Poll On Someone Whose Been In Office For 7 Months?

Kinda early to make a judgement on what will be a 6 year tenure or longer. No surprise on Edwards either considering the fall from grace he's taken...it would have happened in a deep blue state as well. Hopefully Burr will be a one-termer and the Democratic wave of the South will continue. North Carlonia has come a long way in the past 5 years.

[ccharles000]

5. kick

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

7. Remember Harvey Gantt?

Gantt, a successful African-American businessman from Charlotte, ran against Jesse Helms back in late 80s-early 90s. I volunteered for his campaign. On election night, polling machines across the state were breaking down exclusively in predominantly African-American counties. In Durham, we were driving out to peoples' homes to pick them up and bring them back to the polls where they had never had the chance to vote earlier in the day. Helms' supporters were chasing our cars through the city, driving erratically and yelling. When we'd arrive at somebody's house, they'd jump out and yell at the people that we were lying, they wouldn't get a chance to vote, etc. etc.

This was some of the worst political thuggery I had ever witnessed. As much as I love NC, I had to leave.

Glad to see a swing toward the blue. My folks live in Tryon, NC and I'd like to think their volunteer efforts are worthwhile!

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. Maybe being deceased helps Helm's popularity.

[choie]

9. so, a dispicable, vile racist is

more popular than a philanderer? Interesting values..