North Carolinians are almost evenly split on how they view Barack Obama’s job performance more than a year into his presidency, according to the latest Elon University Poll, as public opinion begins to sour on the economy.
The poll, conducted April 19-22, 2010, surveyed 607 North Carolina residents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Respondents were not limited by voter registration or likelihood of voting. The sample is of the population in general, with numbers that include both landlines and cellular phones.
Forty-eight percent of residents disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job. Forty-seven percent approve.
Fifty-two percent of respondents disapprove of the way Obama in handling the economy.
A larger percentage of respondents than from an April 2009 poll believe Obama’s economic policies have made economic conditions worse. A year ago, one in five respondents had negative views on his economic policies. In the most recent poll, 31 percent said conditions have worsened.
“Politicians are bearing the brunt of the public’s continued frustration with the state of the economy,” said Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon University Poll.
Other questions asked in the poll:
Who is doing a better job of managing the economy:
Democratic Party: 34 percent
Republican Party: 28 percent
Neither Party: 31 percent
Who would do the best job dealing with the main issues facing the nation:
Obama: 32 percent
Democrats in Congress: 12 percent
Republicans in Congress: 31 percent
None of them: 20 percent
Approval/disapproval of the way Richard Burr is handling his job as U.S. senator:
Disapprove: 28 percent
Approve: 37 percent
Don’t Know: 35 percent
Twenty-six percent of respondents said Burr deserves to be re-elected. Forty-four percent believe it is time for another person to have a chance at the job. That number is an improvement for Burr from February, when 51 percent of North Carolinians thought it was time for someone else to take the seat.
Approval/disapproval of the way Beverly Perdue is handling her job as North Carolina’s governor:
Disapprove: 47 percent
Approve: 37 percent
Perdue’s favorability ratings:
Unfavorable: 46 percent
Favorable: 35 percent