PPP (9/28-29, likely voters, 9/17-19 in parens):
Kay Hagan (D): 46 (46)
Elizabeth Dole (R-inc): 38 (41)
Christopher Cole (L): 6 (6)
(MoE: ±3%)
Pinch me: Kay Hagan has opened up an eight-point lead in the North Carolina Senate race. Hagan is stationary at 46, but Dole has lost another three points. Nearly every pollster is now showing a lead for Hagan.
The same sample gives Obama a 47-45 lead over McCain. And while a lot of this movement must have to do with the turmoil in the banking and finance industries (which is a major employer in Charlotte), bear in mind that this was taken before today’s announcement of Citi’s acquisition of NC-based Wachovia, which seems likely to drive current trends even further.