Is North Carolina Turning Blue?

Washington Post: In Insecure Times, A State Once Firmly Republican Now Wobbles

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Kevin Merida.

---

The Queen City Motel sits barely noticed on this city's West Side, just seven minutes from the wobbly banks and new construction projects commanding the downtown skyline. At the Queen City, you find people who are living by day and by week, watching economic calamity from the outer edge of misery. Some have no cars, no cellphones, no steady work, no health plan and not enough food to fill a small fridge in a $160-a-week room. But in this political season of surprise and possibility, the presidential campaign has found an audience here even among the disheartened.

Warren Kent Vaughn and Brenda Williams were living in an empty 18-wheeler semitrailer not long ago, in love but homeless, their drug histories a drag on their dreams. Then they found salvation in Room 77 of the Queen City, Vaughn working as a live-in handyman, Williams as a maid. They worked seven days a week for chump change, plus room and board.

"It's been a struggle, but I ain't gave up, bro," said Vaughn, who was honorably discharged from the Army, got sucked into the dope racket, killed a man in a street scrap, served 14 years in prison, and on this recent day was tugging on his scraggly beard, work gloves in his back pocket. He was about to measure a window that needed repair, and then put in a smoke alarm, and then whatever. The Queen City is a low-slung, pale brick structure of 47 rooms and little charm. Renovations are underway, management says. The parking lot is nearly empty, and some residents keep their doors open so they won't miss the conversations that may come their way.

The gale forces of the economy are blowing people in different directions, driving them to their presidential choices with an intensity that this state has not seen in some time. Many North Carolinians are either running toward a candidate or running away from one, the candidates now surrogates for folks' fears and aspirations. Even with his consuming worries, Vaughn found himself drawn to Barack Obama's quest as a symbol of the change Vaughn envisioned for his own life.

He even volunteered to register the ex-hustlers on the streets he once ran. And when they shooed him away, he kept insisting. "There are no limitations," he'd tell them. "Stop saying, 'I can't.' Just try, instead of saying, 'I can't.' " After all, Vaughn had found a job and shelter that wasn't under a bridge. His prospects were on the upswing -- just like Obama's in North Carolina, he figured. Now, the one thing missing, what Vaughn craved most, was a change in how others saw him.

"I want people to stop looking down at me," he said, "and look up."

North Carolina is in the midst of a transformation its people are grappling to comprehend. The state long has been a fat red dot on the electoral map, voting Republican in every presidential election since 1976. Some believe it may be turning blue before their eyes; polls over the past month consistently have shown Obama and John McCain in a dead heat. Since January, approximately 550,000 voters have been added to the rolls, a third of them African American, and Democrats have won the registration battle by more than a 5 to 1 margin over Republicans. Pockets of political enthusiasm keep surfacing in the most unlikely places -- even at a motel for itinerants on Wilkinson Boulevard.

"If this were 2012, I'd be willing to say this is no longer a red state," said Ferrel Guillory, a longtime observer of the state's politics and director of the Program on Public Life at the University of North Carolina. "I don't know if North Carolina is as far along as Virginia is, but the Obama campaign may be accelerating that. We'll see."

Early voting began last Thursday in the state, and as of Tuesday, 543,004 had already voted -- 306,493 Democrats and 147,276 Republicans.

The Obama campaign, with the greatest resources, has opened 45 offices in the state, compared with McCain's 35. This past weekend, Obama made his sixth appearance in North Carolina since winning the nomination in late August, compared with three visits for McCain since May 6. Still, the state's political structure is notably bifurcated: conservative and progressive simultaneously, power concentrated in both parties. Democrats have controlled the governor's mansion for four consecutive terms, so now it is the GOP gubernatorial candidate, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who is running on the change theme. Republicans occupy both U.S. Senate seats, but Elizabeth Dole is in danger of losing hers in November. Her enemy: change.

---

Read the latest campaign news on North Carolina from CBS News and Around The Web in our Battleground State Page

---

In the presidential race, the traditional divides -- blue and red, black and white, rich and poor -- live alongside struggles over faith and doubt. It is the faith that Warren Kent Vaughn has in an Obama-led future vs. the doubt that brought Pam Demarest to an outlying county Republican office in heavy rain to pick up a McCain-Palin yard sign. It was something she had never done before, done now because she was tired of passing so many Obama yard signs. It was visceral.

Demarest works full time as a nurse and teaches part time at a community college, while putting a son through college. "We're barely keeping afloat," she said. Her husband lost his job as a printer two years ago and was out of work for five months, and that "put us behind and we've never been able to keep up," she said. Her eyes filled with tears. "He says he's archaic." A husband who believes his worth has been drained from the marketplace? How does a wife deal with that? It was not that Obama was to blame. But her feelings were raw, and she didn't know quite where to take them.

"I don't like Obama," she said. "When you look at him, when you see him speaking, some of the looks he gives are condescending. He doesn't come off as somebody I would trust. He just doesn't. Sometimes you can't give a reason for that."

The state of Vaughn's and Demarest's struggles is one of the fastest-growing in America, set to be No. 7 in population by 2030, according to Census projections. Once reliant on tobacco, textiles and furniture, the economy fueling growth today is built on high-tech research, pharmaceuticals and a banking industry now reeling. Charlotte is the No. 2 banking center in the nation, but watching one of its financial pillars -- homegrown Wachovia -- crumble and get eaten up by outsider Wells Fargo was a karate chop to the psyche.

"There ain't nothing you can do about it," said a resigned but angry James Woods, who has worked for Duke Energy, another local pillar, for 36 years. He had been on the verge of retirement, "but it keeps getting further and further away." He's unsatisfied with his choices for president. He has linked the economic crisis to government failure, and government failure to the politicians running government, and that is bad news for both Obama and McCain. "I don't think either one of them can do anything."

The change they talk about inside North Carolina can be seen in the demographics, diversifying the state's culture and stirring up its politics. Blacks, who had been leaving the South, are returning in big numbers and finding comfort in the metropolitan areas. Affluent, well-educated whites have flocked to the Research Triangle Park of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. And good job opportunities have made North Carolina a new destination for Latino and Asian immigrants. Ten percent of residents 5 years and older now speak a language other than English at home, according to Guillory.

---

Ways To Win
Calculate your own path to the presidency with our Electoral Vote prediction map.

---

It was this kind of environment that persuaded Jeffrey Watson, 33, to open a business he called the first of its kind here: a black barbershop combined with a Vietnamese nail salon called So Sharp. Lien My Thi Le grew up in Vietnam and has been in Charlotte for six years. Her English is not great, but one word rolls off her tongue effortlessly: "Obama!" She is a manicuring wizard, carefully painting nails in colors and stripes. Howard Sanders is a haircutting wizard, sculpting and lining and giving hard-luck parents breaks on their kids' cuts. Now 42, he has been cutting hair since he was 13 and is wondering if his dream to own a chain of mainstream salons can be realized.

"To tell you the truth, I live in my segregated box," Sanders said. "I have a fear of going outside the box and being rejected. By no means do I want to be segregated. I want to be integrated. I have had many chances that I just don't know how to embrace." Sanders has the swagger inside the barbershop. You can tell by the way he wields the clippers, cool in baggy jean shorts and an orange Nike shirt, an earring in his left lobe. But outside the shop, his confidence often wanes. He doesn't follow up on contacts he meets, or pursue financing that might get him where he wants to be. "It's me not knowing how to ask the right questions," he surmised. "Most importantly, it's my lack of self-esteem."

[scottdavene]

Although, I personally am so far to the left, that even the even the democrats appear to me to be "right-wing," I certainly hope that they win this election. If they don''t, I fear that this country, indeed the entire planet is in serious trouble. The war that the conservatives have rekindled against the Muslim nations is already likely to last for years, if not centuries. Hopefully, Obama can do something to ease the tension.
This war is really a continuation of the holy wars that began so many thousands of years ago. And unfortunately, it appears that religion has shown itself to be the biggest catalyst of hatred that the human race will ever see.
I invite you to my website: www.FreetheGods.com. There you will find a political discussion forum where political ranting is highly encouraged, especially opposing viewpoints!

[mtngurl8]

I am a NC native born and raised and I am voting for OBAMA because I love my children and my country and I fear what 4 more years of failed Bush policies will do to both their futures. The republicans quoted in the above story are typical of republicans in our state, uneducated, or greedy, naive or devious, if you are not rich and you vote republican I am sorry but you are stupid. If you are a Christian and you vote for McCain you really need to search your soul and think about what where your belief system comes from - God Bless us all and God bless Obama a Christian not a Muslim. thank you

[milcrow]

"Now I will be voting for John McCain in November for many reasons...including having the insight to recognize that our country is better off with a moderate Republican than a far left hardcore liberal like Obama."

McCain stopped being a moderate when he chose Palin as his running mate. And if you think W is bad, think about Palin in the White House. She would be much, much worse than W...even more ignorant, even more fanatical, far more dangerous.

[slayrre007]

The Illinois State Senate is corrupt as is Chicago politics.

Obama has the most liberal voting record in Congress...WHEN he decides to show up. The fraud Obama has 130 votes PRESENT in his very brief career. No excuse... just the honest realization that he did not want to vote on any of the more controversial issues. That...in itself...is a strong sign of someone who lacks leadership.

Obama is not respected on both sides of the aisle. If that were the case...he would have a more "bi-partisan" voting record.

William Ayers is a terrorist who should have been executed years ago. This terrorist got off on a technicality. In 2001...when Obama was in Ayers back pocket...Mr. Ayers made the statement that he did not bomb enough. Nuff said..!

ACORN is a corrupt organization that promotes the interests of the Democratic Party. This is why Barack Obama continues to give them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

George W Bush is an idiot. I voted against him twice. Barack H. Obama is a liar with no experience. I will vote against him come Nov.

None of us know if Obama is a closet Muslim or not. What we do know is that he was raised by two radical Muslim fathers, attended a Muslim school at one time, has a Muslim middle name, and attended a church where the preacher was anti-American. You draw your own conclusions.

[slayrre007]

Let me start by saying that I voted against George W. Bush in both elections and in both elections I predicted he would lead this country to ruin.

Now I will be voting for John McCain in November for many reasons...including having the insight to recognize that our country is better off with a moderate Republican than a far left hardcore liberal like Obama (with a Democratic controlled Congress).

As for Barack Hussein Obama...once Barack, as Commander-In-Chief, is given our countries top military secrets... he will find a way to give the information to his "brothers" in the middle east. For anyone that doesn''''t think this is possible...think again.

How soon Americans everywhere forget how unprepared we were for 9/11. Intellectually we could not accept the real danger of such an attack. Now we are unprepared to accept the real threat that the next attack to destroy America will come from within....that threat is Barack Obama.

This country has sold out common sense and intelligence in their efforts to prove that a black man can become elected President. Not measuring Barack Obama''s character and political allegiance by his association with people like Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Tony Rezko, and William Ayers or organizations as corrupt as ACORN... is unforgivable.

Obama will finish the job of ruining this country started by George W. Bush...but Barack will prove to be the catalyst to the final fall of America and the ending of the American way of life.

[the74blaster]

Posted by umtomcat at 05:27 PM : Oct 22, 2008,

Good Point! Apparently the GOP supporters feel like throwing rocks from the pourch of a glass house. Obama has won my respect by sticking to the issues and highlighting his differences with McCain. He has had a few negative ads, but for the most part Obama has taken the high road.

The GOP is in a dangerous position and they need to do whatever they can to win. My advice to them is keep the mudslinging going and tell as many whoppers as possible!

I wnat to see Obama win in a landslide!

[newlector]

I am wondering, when Mr. McCain will recognize the reality and roll over the carpet, take a permanent vacation (repairmen)after all he is a Senior Citizen
enjoy life. Why he want to condemn us with his stubborn attitude and impossible dream of wanting to become president of the United Sates of America.

This Nation deserves better, some one smart, enthusiastic, with a work plan, not a grumpy old man accompanied with one schizophrenic woman, who keep talking a lot of meaningless every single day.
She is worst that Bush, I though was going to be impossible to find some one worst than Bush, but I have to admit it I was wrong.

My advice,if you are a republican don''t tell anybody just go quitely and vote for Obama, on Nov. 4, be sincere even if you don''t mean it!!!
You gonna feel: pain,frustration, anger, disappointment, remorse, desperation if you vote for McCain and Palin........Will still have room for you, come and join us, we want to share the peace and tranquility with you....is not difficult to be successful.
Mr. McCain, I''m really sorry for your loss!!!

[pensacola98]

John McCain wants to spread the poverty!!!

Barack Obama wants to spread the wealth!!!!

When you call someone a Socialist, IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE!!!!

[toolmangler-2009]

I wouldn''t live in Gooberville, NC if someone paid me a $1,000,000! I''ve been there and when you get outside the main cities, it''s still 1940!
Posted by thisandthat1 at 05:37 PM : Oct 22, 2008



That statement makes you out a liar as there is no Gooberville, N.C.. There is a Gooberville La however and I suggest you move there. I live in the heart of North Carolina and bleed UNC Blue. N.C. Has always been blue (UNC Blue) We even have a (ugh) Dook blue. For 1.000.000 dollars there are few places I wouldn''t live (in the USA). I have been in every state in the lower 48 (cept for Ca) and like North Carolina best

[miles1967-2009]

To read about the REAL McCain and Palin, check out the link below and send to all your friends:

http://www.rollingstone.com/
news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_th
e_real_john_mccain

[windmaster12]

America First?

According to documentation obtained by the U.S. Veteran Dispatch, not only did POW McCain promise to give the communists "military information" in exchange for special hospital care not ordinarily available to U.S. prisoners, but he also made numerous antiwar radio broadcasts.


The following is McCain''''s own admission of collaboration in an article he wrote, printed May 14, 1973 in U.S. News and World Report:

"I think it was on the fourth day [after being shot down] that two guards came in, instead of one. One of them pulled back the blanket to show the other guard my injury. I looked at my knee. It was about the size, shape and color of a football. I remembered that when I was a flying instructor a fellow had ejected from his plane and broken his thigh. He had gone into shock, the blood had pooled in his leg, and he died, which came as quite a surprise to usa man dying of a broken leg.

Then I realized that a very similar thing was happening to me.

"When I saw it, I said to the guard, `O.K., get the officer.''''

"An officer came in after a few minutes. It was the man that we came to know very well as `The Bug.'''' He was a psychotic torturer, one of the worst fiends that we had to deal with. I said, `O.K., I''''ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital

Google:
Mccain Collaborator

[thisandthat1]

I wouldn''t live in Gooberville, NC if someone paid me a $1,000,000! I''ve been there and when you get outside the main cities, it''s still 1940!

If Obama wanted to emulate McCain''s attack ads, we would hear robocalls in North Carolina informing America''s patriots that McCain:

a) was in the pocket of former Lincoln Savings & Loan president and convicted criminal Charles Keating;

b) was buddies with fellow criminal Republicans Ted Stevens, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Trent Lott, Jack Abramoff, Don Young, Alberto Gonzales, Nick Smith, Larry Craig, Mark Foley...etc;

c) accepted political donations from the Watergate convicted criminal G. Gordon Liddy;

d) picked a runningmate mired in scandal (Troopergate) and has acted "unethical" according to her own people - - and doctored expense reports to bilk Alaska''''s taxpayers;

e) gave up information to his communist captors in North Vietnam, whereas other American prisoners did NOT;

McCain has a lot to answer for, but Obama hasn''t stooped to that level. You can''''t vote for criminals and call yourself a patriot.

[my0pinion381]

You know what i changed my mind about Obama! I think he will be better for national security and the economy!

Besides I think Sarah Palin is really a Nazi!

Breaking news:
www.chilitoz.com
Thousands of pictures of NAZI SS Officers and Adolf Hitler found property owned by Sarah and Todd Palin. Also an apparent Altar dedicated to the notorious Angel of death Dr. Joseph Mengele along with thousands of NAZi era coins.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by TheMasses1 at 05:02 PM : Oct 22, 2008



Swinehund, Dumpfbacke, Dumkopf, Ich spreche Kliene Deutsch. Geh mir aus der Sonne!

[toolmangler-2009]

If he is elected President he would not qualify to be his own body guard
Posted by flalady41 at 04:38 PM : Oct 22, 2008


None of them would woman, Get real and try to find a genuine reason not to vote Obama. We (and the GOP and Democratic party not to mention the CIA,FBI,NSA,HSA, 50 different SBIs and a lot of other letters of the alphabet have investigated both candidate 100%. Where do you get the gall to tell all that read your words that you know more than them. (And yes, they also knew about 9/11 before it happened, but thats another topic)

If Obama wanted to emulate McCain''s attack ads, we would hear robocalls in North Carolina informing America''''s patriots that McCain:

a) was in the pocket of former Lincoln Savings & Loan president and convicted criminal Charles Keating;

b) was buddies with fellow criminal Republicans Ted Stevens, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Trent Lott, Jack Abramoff, Don Young, Alberto Gonzales, Nick Smith, Larry Craig, Mark Foley...etc;

c) accepted political donations from the Watergate convicted criminal G. Gordon Liddy;

d) picked a runningmate mired in scandal (Troopergate) and has acted "unethical" according to her own people - - and doctored expense reports to bilk Alaska''s taxpayers;

e) gave up information to his communist captors in North Vietnam, whereas other American prisoners did NOT;

McCain has a lot to answer for, but Obama hasn''''t stooped to that level. You can''t vote for criminals and call yourself a patriot.

[toolmangler-2009]

This white NC Dem is voting for Obama for one reason, (He is not republican) I wish he weren''t black only because that gives hope to the Repugs, other than that I don''t care what color he is. To me, race is a non-issue....

[flalady41]

Something to think about.... If Barack Obama would apply for a job with the FBI or with the Secret Service, he would be disqualified because of his past association with William Ayers, a known terrorist. If he is elected President he would not qualify to be his own body guard!

[pvperson]

"I don''t think he has the guts to handle the job," said Carpenter. "I think he is a mouth full of ''gimme'' and a whole lot of ''much obliged.'' He hollers ''changes, changes,'' and you never hear what the change is."

That''s the face of the ignorant, the neo-con that doesn''t know a thing about which he speaks, he just wants an excuse to vote against the black guy.