newsobserver.com projects - Easley wins unpopularity contest - Comments

Re: Easley wins unpopularity contest

TarHeel2011 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:56:44 -0400

I might as well state what people interested in North Carolina politics are thinking right now: Wonder how much better Pat McCrory would be handling this mess? If it were not for straight-ticket voting, he would be the governor right now. North Carolina needs to do away with the straight-ticket ballot option so that voters are required to actually vote for a person and not a party.

Re: Easley wins unpopularity contest

CheeseburgerInParadise — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:58:46 -0400

Once Governor Easley is vindicated his reputation will be restored!

Governor Perdue's polling numbers will soar when the state employees and teachers are happy once again and harmony rules the earth.

And once John Edwards ends poverty his reputation will be restored.

The first will become last...... and the poor will inherit the earth.... with, of course, the exception of Cannonsgate. We all have just got to keep the faith that our elected leaders, both past and present, know what is best for us. We all need to surrender to their superior knowledge and their understanding of the issues.

Don't worry, we are in good hands. And there is no problem that a good old fashioned tax increase will not overcome. I know in my heart that these great leaders have only done what is best for me. I believe!

Re: Easley wins unpopularity contest

mountainman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:51:52 -0400

Jim Martin was a great governor, wish we had him back.

Re: Easley wins unpopularity contest

AgentPierce — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:07:20 -0400

What's next a poll to reveal that "water is wet" and "people like chocolate" ??

How many poll respondents could identify Holshouser, Martin or even Hunt out of a group of 15 men their age?

With the exception of a totally insane coot like Jimmy Carter, most former high profile politicos retire out of the public eye and thought.

Re: Easley wins unpopularity contest

cdtew — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:04:01 -0400

Its a shame that only 23% of respondents apparently remember Jim Holshouser. If only he could be governor now, this budget mess would be nonexistent.

Easley wins unpopularity contest, Perude Close Second...

PoliticalJunkie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:18:13 -0400

...and gaining daily.

Easley wins unpopularity contest

janestancill — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:08:03 -0400

Former Gov. Mike Easley’s reputation is in tatters.

A recent poll shows him the least popular of the five living past or current governors. By far, North Carolinians have the lowest opinion of Easley, who left office in January, reports Rob Christensen.

A poll by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning firm in Raleigh, asked which governor they had the lowest opinion of. Easley (2001-2009) was cited by 45 percent, current Gov. Beverly Perdue by 26 percent, former Gov. Jim Holshouser (1973-77) 13 percent, former Gov. Jim Hunt (1977-1985, 1993-2001) 10 percent and former Gov. Jim Martin (1985-1993) 7 percent.

Easley’s numbers are so poor because he has been the subject of critical news reports about the hiring of his wife at N.C. State University, his acceptance of free cars, and a favorable land deal on coastal property.

Voters remember Hunt most fondly, perhaps because he was governor for such a long stretch of people’s lives.

People had the highest opinion of Hunt (41 percent), then Martin (21 percent), Easley (14 percent) Perdue (14 percent) and Holshouser (10 percent).

More after the jump