The truth is that I am getting sick and tired of discussing the state of North Carolina with people who don't live here and don't understand what has been happening. So, for all y'all that think you should whistle by Dixie, I bring you the facts about North Carolina politics. Here, are the two things that you seem to know.
- NC has not given its delegates to a Presidential candidate since Carter (although Clinton was .79% away in 92, and just as close in '96).
- NC has two GOP Senators.
That is what you DO know. Here is what you DON'T know.
- Both GOP Senators beat Erskine Bowles, not our best candidate.
- Democratic Governor
- Democratic House
- Democratic Senate
- Democratic US House majority (7-6 with Kissell losing by 300 votes or it would be 8-5)
- Democratic Lt. Governor
- Democratic Sec. State
- Democratic Att. General
- Democratic Comm. Insurance
- Democratic Sup. Public Instruction (Sec. Education)
- Democratic Treasurer
- Democratic Supreme Court
- Democratic Comm. Ag. lost by less than 1% after the previous Dem comm had JUST been thrown in jail.
The momentum is on our way. This year, the state of North Carolina has the following races:
- Open Governorship with Lt. Gov and Treasurer running.
- Open Lt. Governorship, with no reasonable Republicans running and several quality Democrats running.
- Open Presidency, possibly with native son John Edwards running.
- Dole Senate seat, where her positives are in the mid-40s, being a top DSCC pick.
- Larry Kissell race being the #1 Red to Blue race to be funded by DCCC.
- Heath Shuler running for his first reelection, pulling out all the stops.
- A Republican Party that is being torn apart by the Puppetmaster, Art Pope.
In addition, the DNC has had paid field operatives out organizing our state since the first wave of Dean Dollars. Many counties that didn't even have a party for all intents and purposes now have websites, organized precincts, and more. This WILL be the year that NC is the swingiest swing state. Believe it.
One more thing about Edwards. He currently has 74 One Corps chapters in North Carolina. Those people aren't going anywhere, they are going to expand the nucleus of those who are helping to turn us into BlueNC.
So, now you know a little bit about North Carolina.