news-record.com

NEWS

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Poll: Sen. Burr's approval rating at 37 percent

Friday, October 30, 2009

(Updated 3:05 pm)

By MIKE BAKER
Associated Press

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr has a 37 percent approval rating among adults in the state as he prepares his campaign for re-election, according to a poll released Friday.

The Elon University survey shows that 22 percent of respondents disapprove of the way the Republican lawmaker is handling his job. Forty-one percent didn't know how they felt about his performance.

Democrats are eager to challenge Burr in his re-election bid next year. His numbers are better than two Democrats in office — Sen. Kay Hagan and Gov. Beverly Perdue — but his approval numbers are lower than those seen in a similar poll done of former Sen. Elizabeth Dole two years ago.

Dole, who had approval ratings of 50 percent in September 2007, was ousted from her seat last year.

"Given what happened to Dole, they should be very concerned by these numbers," said Elon University Poll Director Hunter Bacot. "Among the public, there seems to be some lack of clarity of who he is and what he stands for."

The Elon poll surveyed 703 adults from Monday through Thursday of this week. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

Hagan lagged behind her Senate counterpart, with an equal breakdown of people — 35 percent on each side — approving or disapproving of her work. Perdue's numbers show 36 percent approve and 47 percent disapprove.

Paul Shumaker, Burr's longtime political consultant, said the poll means nothing in the context of the 2010 election. He noted that the poll surveyed the general public, not voters, and that Burr wasn't polled directly against any Democratic candidates.

But Shumaker did tout Burr's comparisons to Perdue and Hagan.

"I'm highly encouraged and highly optimistic," he said.

Bacot said Burr's numbers may fluctuate quickly once Democrats settle on a candidate. He also said the campaign has plenty of time to improve the numbers, especially among the large segment of respondents who don't appear to know him very well.

President Barack Obama received the highest marks among individuals in the survey, with 53 percent of respondents approving of his performance and 44 percent disapproving.

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Sen. Richard Burr

What do you think?

10 comment(s)

Read other visitors' comments.

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

Inappropriate content? Please notify us.

eclipse3

October 30, 2009 - 3:27 pm EDT

I have to say that this poll is NOT representative of most North Carolinians. My travels take me around Rockingham, Caswell, Alamance and Stokes counties and everybody I talk to gives Richard Burr a thumbs up on almost every issue. I would say 95%. He is for the people, all of us, the Indians and Military included.

I am not arguing with the pollsters, I'm just saying that their base seems mighty restricted. And presents a false disapproval of Senator Burr.

Now, Ms. Hagan and Ms. Perdue are NOT well regarded in these areas.

whyus

October 30, 2009 - 3:55 pm EDT

The issue with these polls is that you don't see Burr running a bunch of advertisements on himself like Hagen does to prop up her image. He is just busy doing his job. I have met him before and he was a very warm person.

ReidsvilleKS

October 30, 2009 - 4:26 pm EDT

I think Burr will be re-elected. The only reason we are stuck with Hagan and Perdue is the affect that acorn and the Barak Obama people had on the vote. There were people voting that did not even know how and were asking the people at the poles which box to check for a straight DEM ticket.

Gemini

October 30, 2009 - 4:58 pm EDT

How about printing Kay Hagan and Bev Purdue's approval rating?

jeaniegnc

October 30, 2009 - 5:03 pm EDT

Try and write Burr about something, anything, and see if you can an answer. I have written to him three times and never received a reply from his office. I certainly do not think he represents the majority of the people in this state and I hope he is defeated just like Elizabeth Dole! The poll is probably correct and he is on his way out the door.

elsoots

October 30, 2009 - 5:33 pm EDT

I have wrote him and got a repley from the sentor I have not.

eclipse3

October 30, 2009 - 6:37 pm EDT

Well jeaniegnc, since I have no idea about the subject matter of your writings to Mr. Burr, I can't speculate on why he would ingore you. I can say though that several years ago I had a situation that I needed guidance on and his office was incredibly helpful. He has one of the best constituent services team of any Senator. Elizabeth Dole did too. Now, trying to get someone at Hagan's office to answer you on anything is impossible. But that could be because I don't support Ms. Hagan's support team, ACORN.

You say what you want, but we made grave errors when these 2 ladies were put in positions of power knowing that they both are beholden to ACORN, MOVEON.ORG and the Obama magicians for their offices. Not unfixable though, 2010 is on the way !!!

I hope you are wrong and the poll is wrong. The people will speak loudly next election cycle and we shall see.

william1944

October 30, 2009 - 5:15 pm EDT

I wrote both Sen Burr and Sen Hagen urging them not vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and they both replied that they couldn't stand to see those poor Bankers, Wall Street insiders, and AIG executives lose their jobs or big bonuses and even they agreed it was a bad Bill. But they just had to vote for it anyway.. They are both worthless.

Doug Johnson

October 30, 2009 - 6:32 pm EDT

I went all the way to Washington to see Kay Hagan, see ran like the low life coward she is!
et I understand she had plenty of time to meet with illegals demanding their rights.

The problem she does not have is, she enjoys protection from the press.
While Burr is hounded by the far left extremist press, for taking his on money out of a AMT.

hgals01

October 30, 2009 - 6:38 pm EDT

Sen. Burr is one of most qualified Senators in the Nation. He is the only one that possibly get our unemployment back to 3.5%. He will not burden the American Family with high taxes for individuals and business', that will hire people back to work. We need a Flat Tax here in NC and much lower Tax on all Business'. We do not want to turn this state into another NJ, or Mass where taxes are through the roof!!! The average person here knows what has happened since the election concerning jobs and taxes!! We need to have more people like Sen. Burr in leadership positions.