North Carolina voters have a certain amount of skepticism about proposed changes in the nation’s health care system, according a new poll.

The survey suggests opposition to any plan that results in higher taxes for universal health care and skepticism about government-run programs.

That is according to a poll conducted for The Civitas Institute, a conservative-leaning advocacy group in Raleigh.

According to the poll, 61 percent of voters selected keeping cost affordable as their highest priority in any health care reform; 18 percent selected maintaining a high quality system while only 16 percent said universal coverage for all, Rob Christensen reports.

"While political leaders cite all kinds of reasons federal action is needed, at the end of the day North Carolina voters are most interested in keeping health care costs affordable," said Francis De Luca, Civitas Institute executive director. "Politicians would be wise to listen to what the voters are saying."

Only 36 percent said they would be willing to pay higher taxes to provide insurance for everyone, while 56 percent said they would not, according to the poll.

When asked, given their knowledge of Medicaid and other government programs,  whether they would you would entrust their health or their family’s health to a government-run health insurance plan, 29 percent said "yes," 56 percent said "no" and 9 percent said "not sure."

The poll of 600 registered voters was conducted July 14 to 17 by Tel Opinion Research of Alexandria, Virginia. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Maybe North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue should consider joining South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford in Argentina.

Her polling numbers have already headed South, Rob Christensen reports.

A new poll conducted for the Civitas Institute show Perdue has an approval rating of 36 percent of those surveyed, compared with 38 percent who have an unfavorable opinion and 22 percent who have no opinion.

"For a sitting governor to have their personal approval rating turn negative this quickly, indicates serious voter discontent with the current administration," said Francis De Luca, the executive director of the conservative think tank.

The survey of 600 voters was conducted June 15-18 by Tel Opinion Research of Alexandria, Virginia. Perdue announced she was supporting $1.5 billion in new taxes to meet the state’s budget shortfall June 17.

Perdue fared even worse in a poll conducted by the Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning poling firm. It showed Perdue with 30 percent approval, 53 percent disapproval, and 17 percent not certain.

The Insider/Advantage Poll conducted by the Atlanta-based Majority Opinion Research shows Perdue with a 36 percent approval and 57 percent disapproval rating, with 8 percent not sure.

The presidential race in North Carolina is too close to call.

A new poll by the conservative Civitas Institute shows Democrat Barack Obama with 47 percent, Republican John McCain with 46 percent and Libertarian Bob Barr with three percent.

Five percent were undecided.

"All three races are too close to call and are inside the margin of error of our polling," said executive director Francis De Luca. "With very few days remaining until the election, two big factors will decide the outcome of all three races — who votes and which way the remaining undecided voters break."

Polls taken in the last month generally have generally showed Obama ahead by one to seven points, though McCain has been ahead in two recent polls and the two were tied in another. 

The survey of 600 likely voters was taken on Oct. 27-29 by Tel Opinion Research of Alexandria, Va. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

Barack Obama has a narrow lead in a new poll.

According to a new survey by the conservative Civitas Institute, the Democratic presidential candidate had 48 percent support, Republican John McCain had 45 percent and Libertarian Bob Barr had two percent.

Seven percent were undecided.

"Since John McCain has begun to campaign in North Carolina, his numbers seem to be improving," said executive director Francis De Luca, "He's been able to pick up two points on Obama in the past two weeks according to our polling."

The survey of 600 registered voters was conducted Oct. 18-20 by Tel Opinion Research of Alexandria, Va. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.