Election 08: New NC poll shows Obama lead real

A new poll fresh from Public Policy Polling re-affirms what we argued last week: that North Carolina has emerged as a critical battleground state for 2008, with Obama pulling ahead.

Here are the numbers of the new PPP poll, results just released:

Barack Obama 47
John McCain 45
Bob Barr 3

The latest PPP poll also backs up our analysis from last week -- that the economy is what has made North Carolina a tight state, giving Obama the edge:

Over the last year there's been a strong relationship between the number of North Carolinians listing the economy as their biggest concern, and Obama's standing in the polls. In January when just 39% of voters said it was their biggest issue John McCain led by 14 points. In August with it up to 48% Obama trailed by just three. Last week with 58% listing it number one the race was tied, and now with the number up to a record 64% Obama has taken a small lead. He is up 55-38 among respondents citing the economy as their main concern.