Gov. Bev Perdue is reacting sharply to a national pundit's claim that she’s on the hot seat politically.
Of all the governors up for re-election, he claims Perdue is the governor most in danger of losing her seat in the next election.
“I’ve never lost a race and don't intend to lose a race,” a determined Perdue told reporters Monday.
Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza claimed on his blog, “The Fix” that Perdue was the most vulnerable governor up for re-election and cited poll numbers as part of a poll taken by Public Policy Polling.
Perdue brushes off that contention.
“It's very early,” she said. “In my political experience, it's even too early 10 days out to know if you'll win or not.”
But those who watch the local politics said Perdue does have problems to surmount.
“She has to hope for a little bit of Republican failure and the economy to help,” explained Dr. David McLennan, a political science professor at Peace College in Raleigh.
Dr. McLennan said the upcoming state budget could make or break Perdue’s re-election bid.
“She’ll give the state of the state on Monday night and present her budget on Tuesday. In many ways that will shape some of the debate,” said Dr. McLennan. “Even though she has a Republican house and senate she'll have influence over that debate.”
But she has to do more than frame the debate. Some voters believe Perdue needs to step things up.
“Her stance on education has been a little rough,” said voter David Meyers. “I have a few friends who are teachers and they don't have too many good words right now.”
Voter David Brewster was asked how he’d grade Perdue up to this point.
“I'd give her a ‘B’ plus,” he said.
Meanwhile, voter Darren Harris was a bit more critical.
“Right now, I’d give her a ‘C’,” he said. “It could be better.”
Voter Everett Nolan said he thought if Perdue faced Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory again, that McCrory would beat her.
“If Obama hadn’t brought his machine to town, he (McCrory) would have beat her,” believed Nolan.
• DIG DEEPER: Click here to read the entire blog. You can also find the Public Policy Poll referred to in the blog.
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