NC can now turn to politics

The Bruins and Tarheels each got crushed, so there goes my finals bracket. In other NC news, a couple of polls come out of NC that show conflicting numbers, and a debate that probably won't happen.

Rasmussen has blow out numbers:
             April  March
Obama        56     (47)
Clinton      33     (40)
Not Sure     11     (14)
That's a huge swing to Obama:
There remains an enormous racial divide in the North Carolina data. Obama leads 86% to 9% among African-American voters. Clinton holds a 47% to 38% advantage among white voters in the Tar Heel State. A month ago, Obama led by fifty-three points among African-Americans while Clinton led by twenty points among White voters.
With black voters lining up behind Obama like that, Clinton would need to win about 70 percent of the white vote to take the state. Rasmussen also finds that "56% of Clinton Voters Say They’re Not Likely to Vote for Obama Against McCain", which seems absurdly high, but when you break it down, it results in about 18 percent of NC Democrats voting Republican in the Presidential, which isn't that uncommon in the state. But it of course means that NC is easily McCain's in the GE.

A McClatchy poll shows it closer:

Obama        35
Clinton      26
Not Sure     39
Among likely primary voters, the two virtually split the support of white voters and women while Obama has a strong -- 59 percent to 7 percent -- lead among African Americans. Obama and Clinton are essentially tied among women; Obama has a slight edge among men. Clinton leads Obama among voters over 55; Obama leads among everyone else.
That's a ton of undecideds, which could point to fluidity, and certainly Clinton hopes that a win in PA shakes up the momentum going into NC (which the Obama campaign wants to avoid happening), and that brings us to the debate issue.

The CBS in NC debate is in limbo. The Obama campaign had wanted the debate prior to the PA contest, not after its results are known to NC voters, so they accepted, and Clinton didn't, a debate on the 19th in NC, just three days after another debate in PA, and three days prior to the contest on the 22nd in PA. Its obvious that all Obama was trying to do was make it all about potentially shaking up the PA contest, and Clinton didn't want to have the NC debate prior to PA.

Then, CBS nixed the debate date on the 19th, saying it was on passover, and replaced it with one on the 27th. Clinton accepted and Obama hasn't, but in their begging off, the Obama spokesman inadvertently exposes this political motive:

"We had proposed a debate in North Carolina before the 22nd of April," said Obama spokesman Dan Leistikow. "Apparently, the Clinton folks vetoed that. We haven't made a decision whether the later date fits into our schedule."
It's not often that a campaigns strategery gets so obviously exposed by a candidate spokesman as Leistikow does here for Obama.

Tags: Election 2008 (all tags)

Comments

55 Comments

Re: NC can now turn to politics

It is not uncommon in these parts , Appalachia for democrats to vote for republicans .

Sometimes up to 30% of democrats defect to republican candidates in the presidential elections depending on who is at the top of the ticket on both sides.  

In Obama's case I expect the defection to be as high as 35% in some states like West Virgina and Oklahoma.

But then again we won't be getting a lot of these states anyway.

Kentucky and the great state of Tennessee could be competitive depending on the candidate

by lori 2008-04-05 08:01PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

West Virginia, Kentucky, and Lousiana have more registered Democrats than Republicans (in the case of WV, a LOT more), but obviously that doesn't keep them blue at the presidential level.  We typically lose independents pretty badly in those states, while also shedding a lot of Democrats in Name Only.

On the other hand, Republicans still enjoy a registration advantage in Oregon, Maine, and New Hampshire (though I wouldn't be surprised if that margin is shrinking rapidly).

by Skaje 2008-04-05 08:08PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

You forgot Arkansas .

2 : 1 dem registration advantage , yet it sometimes goes to republicans.

by lori 2008-04-05 08:13PM | 0 recs
How dare they....

try to strategically blunt the ludicrous notion that Pennsylvania means more than North Carolina or Indiana or any other state that awards delegates :P.

I mean - c'mon. Both are in it to win it. And yes, it is often that a campaign's "strategery" as you call it, is called out. There are six or seven, if not more shows that invite campaign strategists on, in which they are easy to read and understand.

If you haven't, try a few videos of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Senator John Kerry, former Senator Tom Daschle or any time Mr. Penn opens his mouth.

I'd say the Senator Clinton camp has been more overt and reckless in displaying their tactics to win the nomination and Senator Obama's camp has been more subtle; and they've spinned the narrative successfully to show that it seems like Senator Clinton is the bad person in the media.

Both are doing what it takes to win.

Let's not call it anything else.

by Sir Hadrian 2008-04-05 08:03PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

From what I've seen, polls with undecided numbers that high are useless.  Survey USA, Rasmussen, and others push leaners and get the undecideds under 20%, and they're often more accurate.

If Obama can do as well among white voters as he did in Georgia and Virginia, he breaks 60% and probably nets over 20 delegates.  If it's closer to Mississippi or Alabama numbers, he probably only hits 55% and nets between 5 and 10 delegates.

by Skaje 2008-04-05 08:05PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

And either way, he erases any gain, if there is one, in Pennsylvania.

Which was the point of the debate. To show that winning Pennsylvania is meaningless in the nominating process.

If he wins Pennsylvania, I imagine he'll try to "be gracious", and say he'll seat the Michigan and Florida delegations if he can get the uncommitted delegates.

If he doesn't win Pennsylvania, I believe President Clinton will back off the notion that North Carolina decides the nomination, and they spin hard to make Indiana "Decide the Nomination". In reality, either of them have to poach a state that's "theirs" to win.

And that won't really change, regardless of the posts that get made here, at DailyKos or on RedState for that matter.

by Sir Hadrian 2008-04-05 08:09PM | 0 recs
Obama doesn't need an upset

He'll stil win the most states, delegates and pop vote just winning what's expected.

by DSloth 2008-04-05 10:16PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

   I just can't understand why there might be defections from Clinton supporters to McCain in the general.  Could it be a result of supposedly partisan Democratic bloggers sowing the seeds of discontent for the likely nominee?  No that can't be it...  

by cilerder86 2008-04-05 08:12PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

The progressive blogosphere, with the exception of this site that plays both sides, and a very limited number with smaller pro-Clinton sites with smaller traffic, is in the tank with Obama.

You, I'm sure, have nothing to do with being the sort of Obama fan that turns off Clinton voters...

by Jerome Armstrong 2008-04-05 08:16PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

I don't think this site plays both sides. In the sense that you might be thinking - that both sides have a couple of people with front page posting privileges that shill for either side, yes, both sides are equally represented.

But MyDD partakes in the same, lame back and forth character assassination dialogue off the front page. And that's not equal representation because this site is overwhelmingly Pro-Clinton. And sometimes on the front page even, like the subtle dig in this post that misrepresents the reality that both campaign's strategies are easy to read when listening to even the lowliest campaign staffer.

There's nothing wrong with that, however. Like there is nothing, fundamentally wrong about HillaryIs44.com. That's their right and so too, is it yours. Where I think people get angsty and melodramatic over - is the inherent lie told when someone says "this site is for both candidates". I think Obama people need to wake up; this site isn't for them, really and the membership has made that outrageously clear.

I like to be a bit tenacious and post here anyway in an attempt to keep even 1 or 2 voters from not deciding to pull for the Democratic nominee this election cycle but I have no illusions that this is a fair and balanced site, just like DailyKos isn't.

The only difference is, DailyKos doesn't lie. It is a site for progressives and Senator Obama has been de-rided as the most liberal senator, has been voted the most liberal senator and their nomination of him has even the front page covered with Obama voting.

I appreciate the equal opportunity on the front page but it's still not an equally divided site.

Don't know if I made a whole bunch of sense - just my feeling.

I have no bad feelings about this arrangement; I realize I'm in someone else's home so to speak and I try to follow the rules but just my take on it.

by Sir Hadrian 2008-04-05 08:25PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

Don't know if I made a whole bunch of sense - just my feeling.

- Not much.

by lori 2008-04-05 08:28PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

mydd is as progressive as the DLC

by gil 2008-04-05 09:41PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics
   I think it's pretty silly not to vote for a candidate because his/her quasi-anonymous online supporters are mean.
   Would you support Obama if he won the nomination? How will you reconcile what you're writing now with your future (presumably) support for Obama?
by cilerder86 2008-04-05 08:28PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

I think its hilarious too.  I just don't get the mindset of someone who would vote for someone they philosophically oppose in almost every way because a person named BigMacFTW42 was an idiot to them on the internet.  If I applied those rules to my life I would have to hate almost everybody.  

The internet attracts hardcore people like most of us, dorks, and the wonderful internet warrior types who feel like Optimus Prime when they are using their keyboard.

by Xris 2008-04-05 08:51PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

Yeah they have that much clout with the steel worker in NC working the night shift thinking about who would best secure his job and protect the nation.

 

by lori 2008-04-05 08:20PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

  I didn't say they did.  But a lot of people do read blogs.  I've never understood this defense.  "We can say mean things about the probable Democratic nominee because we're unimportant."  I'm not buying it.  It's clear that MyDD's readership has grown a lot recently.

by cilerder86 2008-04-05 08:29PM | 0 recs
About the McClatchy poll

PPP doesn't buy it at all.

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/

The McClatchy poll has too many undecideds according to PPP and they didn't release the crosstabs

by Student Guy 2008-04-05 08:19PM | 0 recs
Re: About the McClatchy poll

whoops here is the precise link (with the other you have to scroll down a bit)

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/ 2008/04/suspect-poll.html

by Student Guy 2008-04-05 08:20PM | 0 recs
Re: About the McClatchy poll

when is it okay for a pollster to be questioning the credibility of another poll from a different polling outfit .

well...

by lori 2008-04-05 08:23PM | 0 recs
They do have a few valid points

even though they are the ones who say Obama is in the lead in PA (which is pure bunk I think Sen. Clinton is up by 9% there).

The fact that they didn't release the demographic breakdown or crosstabs is unusual.

Also no other poll has had this many undecided voters.

Just my take...

by Student Guy 2008-04-05 08:37PM | 0 recs
Re: About the McClatchy poll

That "McClatchy poll" (conducted by Braun Research, of Princeton, NJ, quite inexperienced in political polling) is shall we say, lacking.

http://media.mgnetwork.com/ncn/pdf/08040 4_survey.pdf

Here's the extent of their "Likely Voter" screen:

1. Are you currently registered to vote in North Carolina as a Democrat, Republican,
Unaffiliated, or are you not currently registered to vote in North Carolina?
(IF NOT REGISTERED, DON'T KNOW OR REFUSAL - COUNT AND TERMINATE)

ASK DEMOCRATS:
2a. Will you vote in the North Carolina Democratic primary in May,
not vote, or are you not sure? (IF NOT VOTE/NOT SURE/DK - TEMINATE)

Yeah, that's tight.

And here's the Presidential Primary preference question:

9. In the upcoming Democratic primary, please tell me which of these candidates you will vote for, or if you
are undecided.
a) For President (ROTATE NAMES): Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?
b) For Governor (ROTATE NAMES): Richard Moore, Dennis Nielsen, Beverly Perdue?
a) For Senate (ROTATE NAMES): Kay Hagan, Duskin Lassiter, Jim Neal, Howard Staley, Marcus Williams?

No leaners at all. Entirely worthless.

by along 2008-04-05 09:05PM | 0 recs
Re: About the McClatchy poll

"I think the fatal flaw with this poll is the 'likely voter' model or relative lack thereof. It looks like they called everyone in the phone book irregardless of voting history and simply asked them if they're going to vote."

I'm not defending this poll, but isn't this exactly the technique that Ann Selzer used to nail Iowa? ie, call all the registered voters and ask them their intentions of voting.

by Jerome Armstrong 2008-04-06 03:18AM | 0 recs
Re: About the McClatchy poll

No, as that PPP blog points out, "Most good election pollsters either call folks based on voting history to identify likely primary voters, or ask a series of questions to really nail down whether someone intends to vote instead of asking a simple yes or no."

Braun Research didn't do that. From the methodology description of the call:
http://www.charlotte.com/171/story/56752 2.html

Polltakers used random digit dialing, which provides each household in a telephone exchange an equal chance of being selected. Data are weighted to reflect N.C. voter registration.

It appears as if the universe of this poll was all possible NC phone numbers. (I believe "Data are weighted to reflect N.C. voter registration" means that the final poll numbers took into account the current percentage breakdown of NC voters into Dem, Rep, and Unaffiliated.)

In contrast, the Iowa Poll contacted randomly selected voters using the Secretary of State's voter registration lists. This immediately tightens the poll universe. In addition, those lists indicated voting history.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=20071231/NEWS09/7123 1041-1/iowapoll07

The Iowa Poll then asked respondents these questions that helped build a tighter likely voting screen, and also gleaned whether a voter was leaning towards one candidate or another:

How likely is it you will attend one of the caucuses scheduled for January 3rd of 2008? Will you definitely attend, probably attend or probably not attend? Will you attend the Democratic or the Republican caucus?

Which one of the following Democratic candidates would be your first choice for president? (Among those who don't volunteer a first choice) Toward which candidate would you say you are leaning, or would say you support the most?

Have you attended caucuses in the past or will this be your first caucus?

by along 2008-04-06 10:21AM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

Aside from the obvious momentum for Obama - what I find interesting is that he is surging in several demographics. You mention the AA vote...but I find it much more significant that white democratic voters in North Carolina are abandoning HRC.

"Clinton holds a 47% to 38% advantage among white voters in the Tar Heel State. A month ago, Obama led by fifty-three points among African-Americans while Clinton led by twenty points among White voters."

From 20 pts to 9 pts in one month, and this is in the midst of the Wright controversy...and its aftermath (funny how CNN manages to find a reason or a story angle to play the 30-sec. spot every night)

by Newcomer 2008-04-05 08:22PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics
wait, I thought cnn was "in the tank" with Obama...
Stop trying to buck the false CW around here...
by gil 2008-04-05 09:49PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

glad to see Obama's NC numbers moving strongly in his favor.

we see once again a campaign (Hillary) that can  neither hold a huge lead or cut into one.

considering the large population gains in NC compared to PA in the past 4 years, a 20 pt. win for Obama in NC and coupled by anything under 10pts for Clinton in PA is a disaster for her campaign. She'll have little chance to ever retake the popular vote.

by alex100 2008-04-05 08:23PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

Now now now... Hillary expanded her lead in the last three weeks in Rhode Island.

Don't blame her if the other 23 states with relevant polling data all went Obama over the last 3 weeks.  They're all outliers.

by Rorgg 2008-04-06 08:28AM | 0 recs
Wrong

>when you break it down, it results in about 18 percent of NC Democrats voting Republican in the Presidential, which isn't that uncommon in the state. But it of course means that NC is easily McCain's in the GE.

Actually, what's absurd is any assumption that discontented Clinton voters (like Jerome) will flock to McCain. A few will. Most won't.

With Obama heading the ticket, N.C. could well be in play.

by JD Lasica 2008-04-05 08:25PM | 0 recs
Re: Wrong

Too early to tell. The issue for both candidates is the narrative of the election is being written without their full attention on it.

Where President Clinton was so successful in 1996 despite a somewhat abysmal first term, was that he was the nominee early, and spent a lot of money bashing Senator Dole so that Dole had no opportunity  to craft even the slightest bit of bsing his way.

It really is a bsing contest. Who can bs the most, the earliest and the most effectively wins at all levels.

I just happen to think Senator Obama has a few ideas for us small guys and that he'll deliver on his Iraq promise.

by Sir Hadrian 2008-04-05 08:29PM | 0 recs
Re: Wrong

A lot of 'red' states could very well be in play.  Hell, look at the numbers out of Texas.  McCain over Obama only by 2!  I'm not saying that its likely that Obama will take it but who would have thought that dems would have a shot at the lone star state.  In the very least it will mean that McCain will have the dump precious resources into his base states in order to keep them while Obama can focus on the swing states completely.  

by iowa dem 2008-04-06 01:53AM | 0 recs
Jerome won't, millions will

Conservative Dems are difficult to hold on to at the best of times. When they've been primed to defect by a racially-polarised campaign and portrayals of the presumptive nominee as overly radica, and when the Democratic party is facing a candidate who's viewed as a maverick, we're going to lose quite a lot of them.

Some of them may be taken back into the fold in the general election campaign and demographics in places like NC are friendly enough to Obama anyway, but there are going to be fewer places in play now for Obama than there were in February, and they'll be harder to secure.

by Englishlefty 2008-04-06 04:53AM | 0 recs
Black voters

The Obama campaign shouldn't take this state for granted.  There are a smaller African-American population than any other southern state beside Virginia and there are a lot voters from Appalachian region who go heavily for Hillary.  I would not be surprised if this race ended up close

by jkfp2004 2008-04-05 08:30PM | 0 recs
Re: Black voters

The Appalachian parts of the state are pretty Republican.  

by Toddwell 2008-04-05 08:50PM | 0 recs
Re: Black voters

Where did you get the idea Obama was taking NC for granted?  I doubt either of them are taking anything for granted at this point.

by Xris 2008-04-05 08:54PM | 0 recs
Re: Black voters

Unlike Obama, Hillary's poll numbers don't get stronger as primaries get closer.

by Liberal Avenger 2008-04-05 09:05PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

I am fairly convinced that the defection discussion is more about frustration. I hear it on MyDD all the time. I myself have thought it (not sure if I threatened it... :) ) - but when the debate begins to turn to McBush vs Dem. I think some of that will soften.

And to Clinton folks...dont be so damn happy/smug about these numbers regarding defection.

First of all...unless you want McCain as president, it is a bad thing.

Secondly,

You should understand that right now Obama is the frontrunner and his supporters are more gracious (it is easier) about the question of support in the GE. Actually, I think it is surprising that the Obama defector numbers are as high as they are...to me, that is the big shame/worry.

It is much easier for Obama supporters to be/act gracious about a GE w/out their candidate...b/c they dont really believe that as a reality. I dont think it works the other way right now and the polls are revealing this.

BY the way - JFKP - love the sig. line

by Newcomer 2008-04-05 08:47PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

that's actually where I am at with things.  Before Iowa I was probably one of the annoying Obama supporters, but I have calmed down tremendously in the past month and a half.  I have basically no anger or hostile feelings toward Senator Clinton or her supporters.  All of my hate is directly firmly toward Republicans and John McCain.  I just want to kick their butts and see a Democrat in the White House again.  

I also cannot imagine how hard things must be for Clinton supporters right now so I do all I can to not be the stereotypical partisan supporter of Obama.  She is an awesome candidate and would be a great president, I just decided on someone different.

by Xris 2008-04-05 09:09PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

It may be just me, but I feel like most folks have calmed down recently.  Maybe I'm not paying close enough attention, but haven't seen the term "radioactive" or "toxic" bandied about.  

Also, in this whole discussion, the words "wright" and "sniper" never came up (well, until now, sorry).  I view that as a positive sign for both Obama and Clinton supporters.

by Fluffy Puff Marshmallow 2008-04-05 10:25PM | 0 recs
Usually us Obama folks

or the real non troll ones will not use the seven letter word unless a completely disingenuous argument comes up that has been debunked recently.  Then we just get frustrated and the shorter tempered among us blow our fuses and say the dreaded 7 letter word.

by Student Guy 2008-04-05 11:03PM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

"And to Clinton folks...dont be so damn happy/smug about these numbers regarding defection."

It's just proof that the bag of arguments for making Hillary the nominee is all but empty. Every other canard has failed and so will this one.

by Liberal Avenger 2008-04-05 09:10PM | 0 recs
Black Voter


I don't care how its sounds. But this trend of Obama getting 90%+ of the black vote against an oponent that is essentially alligned with me on the issues, that freaks me out.

This will have repercussions, all of them bad.
The black community is basiclly giving a "permit to be racist" to all other communities. This is going to be bad for us in the general and way beyond.

by TaiChiMaster 2008-04-05 10:29PM | 0 recs
Re: Black Voter

Are you saying that you won't vote for Obama because 90% of black people have? I hope not.

Or are you just suggesting, as other FOH have, that white folks in general (other than yourself, of course) won't vote for Obama because so many black folks are?

I'm also curious what you might think are the bad repercussions of African Americans voting 90% Democratic in past presidential elections? Has that helped the GOP?

What about Latinos? Do their votes help or hurt Democrats?

Asians?

Gays/Lesbians?

Catholics?

Jews?

Unitarians?

Druids?

by Kobi 2008-04-05 10:46PM | 0 recs
Re: Black Voter


I see that you are pretty good at pointing finger at people. A usefull skill nowadays, that for sure.

I have no intension to go where you want to take me. I don't think you need any clarification, I'm sure that you understood me perfectly. But hey, let me give you a shorter version.

A PRECEDENT of Highly racially biased vote is being set right in front of our eyes. And I for one don't like where that could take us.

by TaiChiMaster 2008-04-05 10:57PM | 0 recs
So it is okay

for a white democrat to win 90% of the vote but not a black democrat

"head asplodes"

by Student Guy 2008-04-05 11:00PM | 0 recs
You care to explain that

because that doesn't make any sense.
by TaiChiMaster 2008-04-05 11:03PM | 0 recs
Re: You care to explain that

It makes more sense the ineffective "white backlash" attack on Obama ever has.

by Kobi 2008-04-05 11:24PM | 0 recs
Re: Black Voter

"I'm sure that you understood me perfectly..."

I apparently did.

I've been hearing (and countering) the "white backlash" argument since polling first showed African American voters moving away from the wife of the "first black president," back before the SC primary (Hillary had previously enjoyed their overwhelming support for Bill, which she seemed to take for granted; but which no one seemed to mind or think harmful to the party's chances of winning).

But Obama not only keeps winning primaries with voters of all types, and even expanding support among them, he keeps doing great in national polls against McBush.

I hope this has relieved some of your concern.

by Kobi 2008-04-05 11:12PM | 0 recs
the PRECEDENT

a PRECEDENT of Highly racially biased vote is being set right in front of our eyes. And I for one don't like where that could take us.

I am not losing any sleep. AA's have been voting in a monolithic pattern for as long as I can remember. Perhaps, you should ask yourself if you would be so concerned if we were seeing %80+ of women setting a precedent this election season.

Shouldn't I be concerned that Hillary isn't getting a larger share of the female vote -- seeing that she enjoys a ten-point+ demographic advantage in the primary, as opposed to the GE -- with numbers that should have handed her the nomination on a silver platter, and the GE being the place to make up ground?

by Bucky 2008-04-06 03:21AM | 0 recs
Re: Black Voter


Hey aren't we supposed to have an honnest discussion about race? At least that's what the guru said.

Let me do it then:
Here is a good one:
"Does Obama get 90% of the black Vote because of black racism?"

there you go, like it? me neither.

But that's what we are going to be bombarded with during the general. Brace yourself people.

by TaiChiMaster 2008-04-05 11:11PM | 0 recs
Re: Black Voter

"All I hear from you people is 'Bobby Lee is going to this, Bobby Lee is going to do that'. To listen to you, you'd think General Lee was going to do a triple somersault and land behind our lines. Stop worrying about what General Lee is going to do to you and start thinking about what you're going to do to General Lee."

- U.S. Grant to his staff, 1864

by Kobi 2008-04-05 11:14PM | 0 recs
No We Aren't

Because after the Conventions, we won't be talking about the primary any longer. Because it won't be relevant and it's none of John McCain's business anyway.

And in the general election, as mentioned above, it is no precedent. African-Americans as a demographic tend to vote about 85% Democratic anyway and Republican complaints about that a) have to be phrased very carefully to avoid sounding racist and b) are easily countered by pointing out that they don't appeal to black voters.

Calm down, Chicken Little.

by Englishlefty 2008-04-06 04:58AM | 0 recs
Re: NC can now turn to politics

There remains an enormous racial divide in the North Carolina data. Obama leads 86% to 9% among African-American voters. Clinton holds a 47% to 38% advantage among white voters in the Tar Heel State. A month ago, Obama led by fifty-three points among African-Americans while Clinton led by twenty points among White voters.

Here's the real question: Are white voters moving AWAY from Hillary in NC (and probably elsewhere judging by the way her numbers are going down in PA and IN too) because of REVERSE racism?

by Kobi 2008-04-05 11:33PM | 0 recs
NC Could Be In Play

"about 18 percent of NC Democrats voting Republican in the Presidential, which isn't that uncommon in the state. But it of course means that NC is easily McCain's in the GE."

No, it is still winnable, albiet with difficulty, but could be won by Obama with a disproportionate black turnout and because of the democratic/progressive trend nationwide that is being felt in NC as well.

The democrats backing Clinton will come back somewhat to Obama, and if he can run strongly among indies and drive up the support of the democratic base, NC can be competitive.

by Davidsfr 2008-04-06 08:33AM | 0 recs
Re: NC Could Be In Play but not for Clinton

Jerome fails to tell the rest of the story:

RCP Average 03/08 - 04/03 - 52.0 36.0 Obama +16.0
Rasmussen 04/03 - 04/03 704 LV 56 33 Obama +23.0
PPP (D) 03/29 - 03/30 1100 LV 54 36 Obama +18.0
InsiderAdvantage 03/26 - 03/26 406 LV 49 34 Obama +15.0
SurveyUSA 03/08 - 03/10 713 LV 49 41 Obama +8.0

by BDM 2008-04-06 09:38AM | 0 recs
Gossamer Gotcha

This essay concludes with one of the weirdest, weakest, most meaningless "gotchas" I've ever seen.  What, exactly, is this huge gaffe again? Something about politicians deciding to accept or decline debate offers based on political calculations?

Zounds!  Will the madness never stop?

by Quicklund 2008-04-06 02:51PM | 0 recs

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