Raleigh, N.C. – A majority of likely North Carolina voters feel that making the proposed “Ground Zero mosque” in New York City a campaign issue in this state is inappropriate.  51% of Tar Heels think the potential location of an Islamic community center near the former site of the World Trade Center is not pertinent to this state’s politics.  37% think it is, and 11% are not sure.  Republicans, at 60-29, and Democrats, at 20-68, are of almost reverse opinions, as can be expected.  Independents, at 38-50, mirror the overall electorate.  National Republicans have stirred up this controversy, and 2^nd Congressional District challenger Renee Ellmers has sought and received media attention for her TV ad attacking incumbent Democrat Bob Etheridge over the issue.  This poll suggests that effort will not likely be fruitful.

The generic Republican congressional candidate leads the unnamed Democrat, 51-42, essentially unchanged from August’s 50-41.  Republicans are nearly unanimous around their candidates, at 96-2, but Democrats have slightly declined in that regard in the last month, from 81-13 to 76-17 now.  The factor keeping the Democrats afloat is that undecided independents have moved toward them, giving the GOP a still sizeable 53-27 lead with unaffiliateds, but that is down from 52-19 a month ago.

By a 39-16 margin, though with 45% unsure, voters think Judge Albert Diaz should be confirmed by the Senate as soon as possible.  Diaz’s nomination by President Obama to the 4^th Circuit Court of Appeals passed out of the Judiciary Committee unanimously eight months ago, but Republicans have held his nomination from receiving a full floor vote.  Fellow nominee James Wynn was confirmed on August 5^th, but Diaz remains in flux, along with scores of Obama’s other uncontroversial picks for various judicial and executive posts.

“Republicans are trying to use the mosque as a wedge issue,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.  “But voters aren’t buying it.  The campaign tactics that worked in Jesse Helms’ North Carolina aren’t going to be as effective today.”

PPP surveyed 681 likely North Carolina voters from September 23^rd to 26^th.  The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.8%.  Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Complete results are attached, and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 If there was an election for Congress today,
would you vote Democratic or Republican?
Democratic……………………………………………… 42%
Republican……………………………………………… 51%
Undecided………………………………………………. 7%

Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of President
Barack Obama’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 39%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 57%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 4%

Q3 Charlotte Judge Albert Diaz has been
nominated to the US Court of Appeals. Do you
think the Senate should take a vote on his
nomination as soon as possible?
Yes………………………………………………………… 39%
No …………………………………………………………. 16%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 45%

Q4 Do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate
for political candidates in North Carolina to
make the proposed Mosque near Ground Zero
a campaign issue?
Appropriate …………………………………………….. 37%
Inappropriate…………………………………………… 51%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%

Q5 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 53%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 44%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 3%

Q6 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 17%
Moderate………………………………………………… 38%
Conservative…………………………………………… 45%

Q7 Would you describe the community you live in
as urban, suburban, rural, or a small town?
Urban…………………………………………………….. 16%
Suburban ……………………………………………….. 27%
Rural ……………………………………………………… 27%
Small Town …………………………………………….. 29%

Q8 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 52%
Man……………………………………………………….. 48%

Q9 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 48%
Republican……………………………………………… 35%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 18%

Q10 If you are white, press 1. If African-American,
press 2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 77%
African-American …………………………………….. 19%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%

Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 6%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 24%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 45%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 25%

Q12
252………………………………………………………… 11%
336………………………………………………………… 18%
704………………………………………………………… 18%
828………………………………………………………… 13%
910………………………………………………………… 15%
919………………………………………………………… 25%