Conflicting Polls Show Close North Carolina Race

Two independent polls released on the horserace between Barack Obama and John McCain in North Carolina were conflicted Friday, one showing Obama in command and the other showing McCain with a small lead.

Obama leads McCain 48-43 percent in a poll from the Civitas Institute, reflecting a tightening margin separating the candidates in a state no Democrat has one since 1976. Two percent supported Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, and seven percent of voters said they were undecided.

McCain leads by two points, though, in an WSOC poll of the Tarheel state. 48 percent of voters said they will support McCain, while 46 percent said they would support Obama. Barr was not included in the poll, and six percent said they were undecided.

The poll reflects a narrow margin between Republicans and Democrats not only in North Carolina’s presidential vote, but in also hotly-contested senatorial and gubernatorial races. Incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) has struggled to hold off a fierce challenge from Democrat Kay Barnes in the race.

The Civitas poll was conducted October 6-8, and has a 4.2 percent margin of error. The WSOC poll was conducted October 6-7, and has a five percent margin of error.

–Michael O’Brien