Mike Munger

Poll: Perdue 47, McCrory 44

bkrueger — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:09:26 -0400

Beverly Perdue has a very narrow lead in the governor's race, according to the latest poll results from Public Policy Polling.

The firm surveyed 1,038 voters on Oct. 25-26, and found that 47 percent preferred Perdue, the Democratic nominee, while 44 percent favored Republican Pat McCrory. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Libertarian Mike Munger was the choice of 5 percent, indicating that he may get the 2 percent of the vote necessary to keep Libertarians on the North Carolina ballot.

McCrory 51, Perdue 47

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:12:35 -0400

Pat McCrory is ahead in a new poll.

According to a survey by Rasmussen Reports, the Republican gubernatorial candidate had 51 percent while Democrat Beverly Perdue had 47 percent. Libertarian Mike Munger, the only third-party candidate to appear on the ballot, was not included.

"This is the second straight poll in which the Republican has led his Democratic opponent by four percentage points, after trailing by six in mid-August," the pollsters write.

The survey of 700 likely voters was conducted on Oct. 23, 2008. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.

Munger targets annexation in radio ad

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:18:28 -0400

Mike Munger is hitting involuntary annexation in a new radio ad.

The Libertarian gubernatorial candidate's minute-long ad argues that North Carolina's law allowing cities to annex nearby properties is wrong.

"Our state is one of only four that let cities invade like a foreign army," a female announcer says. "And you have no legal defense against that invasion."

In the ad, Munger argues that cities skip over land owned by poor people to involuntarily annex people who "just want to be left alone."

If successful, the ad campaign may end up drawing votes away from the Republican ticket.

Repealing or suspending the state's involuntary annexation laws has been a cause for state Republicans in recent years. Anti-annexation voters protested at the legislature in June.

And Munger is running against one of those "big city mayors" mentioned in the ad: Charlotte Republican Pat McCrory.

After the jump, the script.

Munger annexation ad

Perdue 48, McCrory 44, Munger 4

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:40:20 -0400

Another poll shows Beverly Perdue ahead.

A recent survey by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling shows the Democratic gubernatorial candidate with 48 percent, Republican Pat McCrory with 44 percent and Libertarian Mike Munger with four percent.

Five percent were undecided.

Recent polls in the governor's race have shown a tight race between Perdue and McCrory.

"The race for Governor could certainly still go either way but the momentum is in Bev Perdue's direction right now," said company president Dean Debnam.

The automated survey of 1,200 likely voters was taken on Oct. 18-19. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Perdue 43, McCrory 43, Munger 2

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:50:13 -0400

The governor's race remains essentially tied.

According to a recent survey by the conservative Civitas Institute, Democrat Beverly Perdue had 43 percent, Republican Pat McCrory had 43 percent and Libertarian Mike Munger had two percent.

Twelve percent of voters were undecided.

"This race could not get any closer," said executive director Francis De Luca. "Our poll results two weeks away from the election are virtually identical to the results we had immediately after the primary in May. Neither candidate has been able to gain any significant lead."

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

Gubernatorial candidates final debate

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:56:46 -0400

The gubernatorial candidates met for their final debate Wednesday.

Democrat Beverly Perdue, Republican Pat McCrory and Libertarian Mike Munger argued over school vouchers, crime and open government during an hourlong debate on a Charlotte TV station.

Perdue repeated charges that McCrory opposes children's health insurance and vetoed a bill to put more police officers on the street. McCrory cast Perdue as part of Raleigh's "culture of secrecy."

After Perdue cited her endorsement by law enforcement groups, McCrory dismissed them as "union organizers."

At times, Munger seemed trapped between his rivals. (N&O)

Perdue 45, McCrory 44, Munger 4

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:05:22 -0400

The gubernatorial race remains close.

According to a recent survey by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, Democrat Beverly Perdue had 45 percent, Republican Pat McCrory had 44 percent and Libertarian Mike Munger had four percent.

Seven percent were undecided.

"With less than three weeks left to go until the election there is no indication that either candidate will ever break out from the pack in this race," said president Dean Debnam.

The automated survey of 1,196 likely voters was taken on Oct. 11-12. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Gubernatorial Debate Bingo

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:42:34 -0400

What will the gubernatorial candidates say at the final debate?

Republican Pat McCrory, Democrat Beverly Perdue and Libertarian Mike Munger will debate on WSOC-TV in Charlotte from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Based on past experiences, stump speeches and interviews, here are a few things you might hear:

* Perdue says "You know me, I'm a (blank)." (Possible words: "wonk," "academic," "health care advocate," fighter.")

* McCrory talks about a "culture of corruption" or "elites" in Raleigh.

* Munger compares a function of government to something completely unexpected. (Examples: a frat party, "Star Wars" or spanking your child.)

* Perdue mentions "Wall Street" and "Main Street" in the same sentence.

* McCrory notes that Perdue skipped two UNC-TV debates.

* Munger's response to a question is completely ignored by McCrory and Perdue, who fight amongst themselves instead.

Have a suggestion for something else to listen for? Make it in the comment thread below and we may include it in tomorrow's paper.

McCrory diagnoses 'electionitis'

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:31:22 -0400

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory had a late night Monday, and it wasn't because of a campaign event.

McCrory took time from his gubernatorial campaign to co-host a late-night edition of Fox Charlotte's "Fox News Edge" with regular host Brotha' Fred, Rogelio Aranda reports.

Looking relaxed without a tie, McCrory discussed the dangers of "electionitis," the fatigue felt by candidates (and voters) this late in the campaign.

"They don't even know what towns they're in right now. ... There's probably going to be more mess-ups."

McCrory recalled a recent campaign appearance in Hickory, where he said he told a crowd "It's great to be in the living room of Caldwell County."

Hickory is in Catawba County.

Later, McCrory joked that Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger was harder to debate than Democrat Beverly Perdue.

"He was a bright guy," he said.

McCrory 43, Perdue 41, Munger 2

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:09:59 -0400

The governor's race remains close.

According to a recent poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, Republican Pat McCrory had 43 percent, Democrat Beverly Perdue had 41 percent and Libertarian Mike Munger two percent.

Fourteen percent of voters were undecided.

"There is still a significant portion of undecided voters out there," said executive director Francis De Luca. "With both candidates' polling in the low 40s and the election less than a month away, this race is still wide open."

The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted Oct. 6-8 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Va. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.