Tag search result

North Carolinians think that, for the most part, Republicans were more "negative or nasty" in this year's campaigns, according to the latest survey by Elon University.

The notable exception was in the governor's race, where more North Carolinians had negative impressions of the campaign waged by Democratic candidate Beverly Perdue.

Elon surveyed 797 North Carolina residents on Oct. 27-30. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. It did not screen for registered or likely voters.

50 percent of those surveyed had "negative impressions" of the campaign run by Republican presidential candidate John McCain, while 30 percent had a negative feel for the campaign run by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

In the U.S. Senate race, 48 percent of those surveyed had a negative impression of Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole's campaign, while 38 percent had a negative impression of the campaign of Democratic challenger Kay Hagan.

In the governor's race, 30 percent had a negative impression of Perdue's campaign, while 21 percent had a negative impression of the campaign waged by Republican Pat McCrory.

A poll by Elon University found that 69 percent of North Carolina residents support offshore drilling. Another 26 percent are opposed.

The poll also found that 67 percent believe gas prices would fall within a decade, Barb Barrett reports.

"People in North Carolina clearly believe that offshore oil drilling would reduce the pain they feel at the gasoline pump and may agree with any initiative to lift the ban that’s in place," said Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon University poll.

Here’s the breakdown, according to the poll, of respondents saying when they thought prices would be affected by offshore drilling:

— Immediately to less than one year: 14 percent.

— One to five years: 29 percent.

— Six to 10 years: 24 percent.

— Will never affect gas prices: 6 percent.

More after the jump.