It makes sense for gubernatorial candidate Bill Cobey to want to know how popular he might be with voters.

But Mel Gibson?

Cobey's recent poll asks what people think of the movie star who directed, co-produced and co-wrote the controversial and surprisingly popular movie "The Passion of the Christ," which graphically depicts the crucifixion of Jesus.

Cobey's campaign isn't discussing the results of that question -- nor how North Carolinians feel about any of the other interesting names the recent poll ran up the flag pole. Nor does Cobey want to say why he asked in the first place.

"The only reason is that we don't want to give our strategies away to our opponents," said Jeff Miller, a Cobey spokesman.

But a question about Gibson might reveal how voters feel about someone who embraces conservative Christian values, without asking them directly. The movie has received strong endorsements from many evangelical Christians, though others have claimed it is unfair to Jews.

Cobey, a former U.S. congressman and state GOP chairman from Durham County, has made reaching out to conservative Christians an important part of his campaign.

The poll also wanted to know how voters view Cobey's campaign co-chairman, former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer; House Republican Speaker Richard Morgan; U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican running for U.S. Senate; and President Bush.

Cobey finished second in the poll, behind former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot. Former Senate Republican Leader Patrick Ballantine finished third.

Cobey touted those results as evidence that he is catching up to Vinroot and on his way to creating a two-man race for the July 20 Republican gubernatorial primary.

DWI task force formed

Gov. Mike Easley announced the creation Monday of a Driving While Impaired Task Force.

The group will review and make proposals to deter impaired driving. State Sen. Tony Rand, a Fayetteville Democrat; Rep. Joe Hackney, an Orange County Democrat; and Durham County District Attorney Jim Hardin will co-chair the group.

Political potpourri

* Raleigh lawyer Paul Martin Newby, a candidate for state Supreme Court justice, has met new requirements for public financing of judicial campaigns, he announced Monday.

Newby said he is the first to qualify under a new program requiring judicial candidates to raise a minimum of $34,590 from at least 350 registered North Carolina voters. He's now eligible for public funding but must abide by spending limits.

* State Sen. Fern Shubert, a Union County Republican running for governor, will be the host at a luncheon at the University Club in Durham from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

The event will cost $12.50 per person, with "voluntary" contributions encouraged.

* Schorr Johnson, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Mel Watt of Charlotte, has been named communications director of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Johnson, 27, has worked for Watt since 1999. He spent the past four years as press secretary. A Statesville native, Johnson graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1999.