NC Center for Voter Education: Bush, Easley Both Get High Marks In New Poll

5/3/2002

From: Jesse Rutledge of the NC Center for Voter Education, 919-839-1200

RALEIGH, N.C., May 3 -- Despite a sluggish economy, President George W. Bush and Governor Mike Easley both receive high job approval ratings from North Carolina voters, according to job performance ratings released today by the North Carolina Center for Voter Education. The Center will be releasing its entire poll at a news conference in Raleigh next week.

According to the survey of 600 likely voters, 78 percent approve of the job performance of President Bush. Only 15 percent disapproved of the President's performance in office.

"It's quite clear that North Carolina supports the President," said Chris Heagarty, executive director of the NC Center for Voter Education. "The President continues to ride a wave of popularity for his handling of the war on terrorism."

And despite the challenges of a growing hole in the state budget and adverse recent court decisions on education and redistricting, Governor Mike Easley's job performance is approved of by 60 percent of North Carolinians. Of those surveyed, 28 percent disapproved of the job the governor was doing.

"It seems most people are not saddling Governor Easley with much of the blame for the economy and the budget," Heagarty added. "His approval ratings have risen steadily since he assumed office about 16 months ago."

The North Carolina Center for Voter Education commissioned American Viewpoint to conduct a survey of 600 likely North Carolina voters. Interviews were conducted via telephone April 29 through May 2, 2002. The margin of error for the entire sample is plus or minus 4.0 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

The NC Center for Voter Education is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based in Raleigh dedicated to improving the quality and responsiveness of North Carolina's election system. American Viewpoint, based in Alexandria, VA, has conducted statewide research in 48 states. Their numerous political clients have Senator Phil Graham (R-Texas), Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and Elizabeth Dole's 2000 Presidential Campaign.