Is it possible that North Carolina voters aren't happy with Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr but still like him better than any of the Democratic alternatives?
That seems to be the message from the latest survey by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm that surveyed 683 voters from Oct. 2 through Oct. 4.
Burr's approval rating was just 36 percent. That's down slightly from last month's survey, which had Burr's approval rating at 38 percent.
But when voters were asked about possible match-ups with some of the possible Democratic candidates, Burr easily came out on top.
Burr was favored 44 percent to 33 percent, for example, over U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat. He was favored 44 percent to 32 percent of Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
The Public Policy Polling survey's margin of error was plus or minus 3.8percentage points.
Cope gets bumped
Dana Cope, president of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, got bumped from the "Today" show on Thursday.
Cope was invited so he could decry the State Health Plan's initiative to charge smokers and obese people more for benefits. SEANC sent a message to members, encouraging them to tape the appearance (since they'd all be at work and not watching TV, presumably).
Cope's appearance has been rescheduled for today.
Biden helps Kissell
Vice President Joe Biden appeared at a Washington fundraiser Wednesday night for freshman U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell.
Biden has become a leading figure in helping House Democrats prepare for next year's elections. Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat, narrowly won his seat in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 with 55 percent of the vote.
The GOP has targeted the seat in next year's midterm elections. Fayetteville businessman Lou Huddleston, a Republican, is running for the seat.
Biden noted that Kissell made a difficult vote to support the economic recovery package this year.
"He had the nerve and the wisdom to take a chance, even though I know you got the living devil beat out of you at home," Biden said.
Liquor chief ready to serve
Jonathan Williams was sworn in Thursday as the new chairman of the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, along with a new commissioner, Zander Guy.
Williams, a former deputy secretary of crime control and public safety, takes over a system that generated $250 million in tax revenue last year but is handicapped by an inefficient, locally controlled network of stores.
Guy, the mayor of Surf City, joins Williams and Commissioner John Lyon Jr. of Raleigh on the board.
The troika will oversee alcohol regulation in the state and operate the state warehouse from which all local ABC stores buy their liquor.
Klass for appeals court
Lexington Superior Court Judge Mark E. Klass intends to run for the N.C. Court of Appeals next year.
Klass intends to seek the seat being vacated by Judge Ann Marie Calabria. Wake County District Court Judge Jane Gray has also announced her plans to run for the seat.
Klass has been a judge for 11 years. He was an assistant district attorney from 1984 to 1986 and was in private practice from 1986 to 1998.
BY THE POUND: The State Health Plan sent information to its 660,000-plus members giving details on its plans to raise the rates for smokers and obese people. The mailing probably prompted a series of early New Year's resolutions.
BAD WATER = GOOD POLITICS: U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, and Richard Burr, a Republican, have been pushing for benefits for Marines and their families who were exposed to toxic tap water at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s. Before long, U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, a Democrat, was ready to introduce a House version of the bill.
NOT NOW: Gov. Beverly Perdue was one of six Democratic governors who did not sign a letter endorsing health-care reform. Turns out there wasn't an ideological reason. Perdue was too busy on a business recruiting trip to give the letter a read.
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A political tip sheet for the rest of us outside the Washington Beltway, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012: Keep up with the latest political stories with our free daily e-mail newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox!
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