• A new Elon University poll delivers bad news for Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan. Since November, her approval rating dropped by 4 points and her disapproval rating rose by 5 points. She was the only elected official whose approval rating dropped over that time. The poll of registered voters shows her disapproval rating at 49 percent and approval rating at 33 percent. Only 55 percent of Democrats — and 40 percent of women, regardless of party affiliation — now approve of the job she’s doing. The news isn’t great for her GOP rival, House Speaker Thom Tillis. His approval rating was 18 percent, disapproval rate 34 percent. However, nearly half the voters surveyed, 48 percent, had no opinion, and 59 percent weren’t familiar with him. Obamacare remains underwater, too, as 52 percent said they thought the health insurance law would make things worse and only 30 percent saying it would make things better. Full polling info here (PDF).
• Meantime, Hagan tries to explain to WTVD ABC11 what she knew and when she knew it regarding Obamacare.
• The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has designated the 2nd Congressional District race as “emerging,” meaning the political group is likely to pump money into the race after the primary between “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken, former Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, and counselor Toni Morris is decided. The DCCC is targeting Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers, who must survive a primary against investment adviser Frank Roche.
• Carolina Journal’s March parody takes a peek at the celebrity influences affecting the Crisco-Aiken race. (REMINDER: It’s a parody.)
• In the 6th Congressional District, Republican Phil Berger Jr. has named High Point businessman and charter school advocate Paul Norcross chief political adviser.
