NC-Senate-Rasmussen: Gov. Easley (D) would beat Dole (R) by 8

[Tender Branson]

In the 2008 Election for the U.S. Senate suppose you had a choice between Republican Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Mike Easley. If the election were held today would you vote for Republican Elizabeth Dole or Democrat Mike Easley?

42% Dole

50% Easley

3% Some other candidate

4% Not sure

How do you rate the way that Mike Easley is performing his role as Governor? Excellent, good, fair, or poor?

10% Excellent

37% Good

33% Fair

19% Poor

2% Not Sure

Favorable Unfavorable:

Easley: 58-38
Dole: 53-41

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/north_carolina_2008_presidential_election

[Senator Ben]

Easely would be a great Senate candidate.  But, he would also be a good VP, filling that southern governor role left empty by Warner.

[Former Moderate]

Easley is not now running, nor will he ever be running.

What a waste of a poll.

[WalterMitty]

lot of people dont know that mike easley came very close to winning the democrat nomination for senate in 1990.  he was a very young man then.

[True Federalist]

I can't sort of see why he's not interested in running against Dole.  She's old enough that I doubt she'd be interested in a third term in 2014, so it would be better for the Democrats in the long term if he used his popularity to unseat Burr in 2010, since he's young enough that I could easily see him lasting five or so terms if he can manage to make it to a sophomore term.  Also running for another office while you are in one is a tricky feat.  I know he's said that he's not interested in running against Barr, but if he indicated interest now, he'd have to explain why he doesn't run against Dole in a way that doesn't seem overly calculating.  Also if he has any interest in a cabinet post in the probable upcoming Democratic administration, he can't afford to run against Dole as win or lose, he'd lose any chance of doing so, or at least any chance at a good post.

[WalterMitty]

id be very surprised if easley runs for any office ever again.

he doesnt like campaigning.  even when he does run for office, he does very little public campaigning.  most of his campaign is television ads.

i remember there is a story, probably at least based in truth, that during his first run for governor in 2000, easley virtually disappeared for a few weeks, he was found doing wood working in his basement in his pajamas.

hard core democrats have never been particularly fond of of easley.  they dont see him as partisan enough.  that goes back to his district attorney days when he prosecuted some elected democrats.  and more recently they were pissed when he refused to attend a kerry/edwards rally in nc.

[jokerman]

What's the deal with Easley?  Is he really just one of those rare umambitious politicians?

[Senator Ben]

hard core democrats have never been particularly fond of of easley.  they dont see him as partisan enough.  that goes back to his district attorney days when he prosecuted some elected democrats.  and more recently they were pissed when he refused to attend a kerry/edwards rally in nc.

That is the kind of man we need in Washington.

[phk]

Easely would be a great Senate candidate.  But, he would also be a good VP, filling that southern governor role left empty by Warner.

I don't really see Gov. Easely being cut out for a national race.

[WalterMitty]

What's the deal with Easley?  Is he really just one of those rare umambitious politicians?

he is very shy.  not a people person.

he also suffers from a learning disability.  he had trouble reading throughout school.  it is said he still doesnt read for pleasure and he likes his memos to be very short.