Or, the Purpling of the Palmetto State.
One of the under-reported results of the 2008 elections is the surprising improvements Democrats made in South Carolina, with little more than Obama's ground game. Given these results, the Democratic Party has a chance to make further inroads into SC. Given what's at stake in the 2010 elections, they would be foolish to not do so.
This diary is long, so here's a summary:
- Obama lost SC by only 9 points, an 8-point improvement over Kerry's performance, with a lot of room for further gains.
- Two Democratic House candidates ran surprisingly close races against Republican incumbents and are in great position to challenge again in 2010.
- One of the most conservative members of the Senate is up for re-election in 2010. With the right candidate and campaign, this seat is a potential pick-up opportunity.
- SC holds its statewide elections in 2010-- including a Governor's race in which the incumbent is term-limited from running again.
- There is a very good chance that SC will receive a 7th House seat after the 2010 Census, increasing the importance of redistricting.
In the extended entry: how and why to turn South Carolina blue.
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