Now we have a poll from Public Policy Polling which finds Mayor Pat running well against the announced candidates.
Those who commissioned the poll gush, “McCrory looks like the Republicans’ strongest candidate. Not only does he hold a slight lead against Richard Moore, but he pulls a good chunk of the Democratic respondents — 16% against Perdue and 18% against Moore while Fred Smith, currently leading in our polls for the primary gets only 7% and 6% of the Democratic support against Perdue and Moore respectively.”
McCrory also shows well among younger voters and in the 704 area code. The poll comprised 457 likely general election voters, respondents tilted slightly toward Democratic in party affiliation, and had a margin of error of 4.5 percent.
The basic results:
Bill Graham 37 Richard Moore 35
Bev Perdue 42 Bill Graham 38
Pat McCrory 38 Richard Moore 36
Bev Perdue 41 Pat McCrory 39
Richard Moore 40 Bob Orr 30
Bev Perdue 42 Bob Orr 36
Richard Moore 40 Fred Smith 32
Bev Perdue 43 Fred Smith 34
All this really tells us is that none of the announced candidates are setting the world on fire right now. Which, I think, we already knew. Still, this outcome confirms what Mayor Pat’s own in-house poll found the other week.
As then, the challenge remains for McCrory to both find issues and find money. One or the other will not suffice.
Should McCrory come up with both, he might be a rare thing: A Charlotte pol with state-wide legs.
