The 2012 election has ushered in election results that are strangely similar to that of 2008, especially at the national level. President Barack Obama carried all but two states he won four years ago, and maintained control of the presidency. There were some twists, however, and one of those surprises was the battleground state of North Carolina, one of the losses for the Obama campaign. For a state that has been historically Republican in its national voting habits for the last 25 years, Obama managed to carry that state in 2008. This may have had something to do with North Carolina's fairly competitive state level political system, where Democrats and Republicans have exchanged power regularly.
This year was different though. Economic recovery has not been kind to those in North Carolina, and their frustration was heard at the ballot box. When things are not going well, the incumbent party ends up taking a hit, and this is exactly what happened. The Republicans took control of the governor's office, and both houses of the state legislature, something that has not happened in over 100 years. While this may be disconcerting for the Democrats, they appear optimistic. Party leaders in the state are keen to point out that Mitt Romney's victory in North Carolina was the narrowest in the entire country. It is also likely that this momentary loss of control could just be another cycle in a state that is as two-party politically as one could get. Leaders are motivated to not be obstructionist, and through this bipartisan attitude, they hope to achieve victory in 2014.
N.C. Democrats adjust, look to 2014 - Charlotte Observer
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
North Carolina Election Results
For those interested in the breakdowns for all races in the battleground state of North Carolina, check out this link!!!
North Carolina Election Results - Huffington Post
North Carolina Election Results - Huffington Post
Reasons Why Obama Lost North Carolina in 2012
If one were to examine the electoral map of the 2012 election, they would find that it looks strangely similar to the map of the 2008 election, with a few minor exceptions. President Barack Obama lost a small number of states in this election that he carried in 2008, and one of them was the battleground state of North Carolina. A recent News Observer article cited five reasons that President Obama was not able to continue his success in North Carolina this time around: 1. The sour economy, 2. GOP honed ground game, 3. A slip in urban margins, 4. Back-burner battleground, and 5. Fewer white votes.
A simple breakdown of the five reasons goes like this. First, the sour economy has hit North Carolina harder than the rest of the country. With an unemployment rate hovering around 9.6%, far higher than the national average, the people of North Carolina needed the change that Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney was offering. Second, the GOP ground game was far superior to the Democrat's. With Get Out The Vote efforts being held by Republicans for much longer and employing the service of many more people, it is not surprising that the grassroots campaign of the party prevailed over the Democrats. Third, the slip in the urban margins, does not bode well for any Democratic candidate, who rely on urban voters that tend to be more liberal than their rural counterparts. Fourth, the issue of North Carolina being a back-burner battleground state was certainly obvious. President Obama himself had not made a personal visit to the state since the Democratic National Convention in the summer, indicative of the emphasis that his campaign placed on the state. And lastly, fewer white votes for Obama hurt him. While the President did capture 96% of the African-American vote, they only make up 23% of the state's population, making it impossible for any candidate to win by simply focusing on this particular demographic.
Five Reasons Obama Didn't Carry North Carolina - News Observer
A simple breakdown of the five reasons goes like this. First, the sour economy has hit North Carolina harder than the rest of the country. With an unemployment rate hovering around 9.6%, far higher than the national average, the people of North Carolina needed the change that Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney was offering. Second, the GOP ground game was far superior to the Democrat's. With Get Out The Vote efforts being held by Republicans for much longer and employing the service of many more people, it is not surprising that the grassroots campaign of the party prevailed over the Democrats. Third, the slip in the urban margins, does not bode well for any Democratic candidate, who rely on urban voters that tend to be more liberal than their rural counterparts. Fourth, the issue of North Carolina being a back-burner battleground state was certainly obvious. President Obama himself had not made a personal visit to the state since the Democratic National Convention in the summer, indicative of the emphasis that his campaign placed on the state. And lastly, fewer white votes for Obama hurt him. While the President did capture 96% of the African-American vote, they only make up 23% of the state's population, making it impossible for any candidate to win by simply focusing on this particular demographic.
Five Reasons Obama Didn't Carry North Carolina - News Observer
Pat McCrory: North Carolina's New Governor
Pat McCrory, North Carolina's new Republican governor, is no stranger to running for office. He had served on the Charlotte city council from 1989 to 1995, when he successfully ran for mayor of Charlotte, serving until 2009. An unsuccessful bid for governor in 2008 did not phase McCrory, who came back in 2012 to win the highest office in the state, due largely to the amount of money he was able to raise. The Republican candidate managed to acquire $11.5 million, a superior amount when compared to the paltry $3.9 million his Democratic challenger, Walter Dalton, managed to raise. This cash advantage allowed McCrory to run a much larger advertising campaign to help lead him to victory, in addition to having several big name Republican governors make appearances, like Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and Chris Christie of New Jersey.
McCrory's victory could also have been chalked up to him being in the right place at the right time. North Carolina's unemployment rate has stayed around 9.6%, one of the highest in the country. This, combined with an unpopular view of the prior governor, Bev Perdue, created a perfect storm for a Republican to take control of this state that has had particularly competitive state-level politics.
McCrory North Carolina Governor Profile - USA Today
McCrory's victory could also have been chalked up to him being in the right place at the right time. North Carolina's unemployment rate has stayed around 9.6%, one of the highest in the country. This, combined with an unpopular view of the prior governor, Bev Perdue, created a perfect storm for a Republican to take control of this state that has had particularly competitive state-level politics.
McCrory North Carolina Governor Profile - USA Today
Monday, November 5, 2012
Even though recent polls in the battleground state of North Carolina have shown the two candidates in a virtual tie, money has not stopped moving around in the state. Both President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney have collected an impressive amount of money in this state that has been categorized as 'leaning Republican'. But to rely on the amount of money raised alone,Obama would take the
state by a landslide, as he raised more than $1.1 million here in
September alone, while Romney pulled in less than $500,000.
But as the president, Obama has an advantage that Romney does not. The incumbent usually is favored, and has an easier time fundraising. And according to Jeff Colbert, a political science professor, campaign contributions are not necessarily related to how a state will vote. Colbert is quick to remind us that North Carolina has a long established history of voting Republican in presidential elections, and suggests that the state voting for Obama in 2008 was a fluke. Democrats are quick to argue that win was a signal that North Carolina could be a swing state for elections to come, but Colbert disagrees. He says that the high unemployment rate in North Carolina is on the minds of all voters, and that statistic will likely tip the scales in favor of Romney.
NC deadlocked, but donations to presidential candidates flowing freely - Pendulum
But as the president, Obama has an advantage that Romney does not. The incumbent usually is favored, and has an easier time fundraising. And according to Jeff Colbert, a political science professor, campaign contributions are not necessarily related to how a state will vote. Colbert is quick to remind us that North Carolina has a long established history of voting Republican in presidential elections, and suggests that the state voting for Obama in 2008 was a fluke. Democrats are quick to argue that win was a signal that North Carolina could be a swing state for elections to come, but Colbert disagrees. He says that the high unemployment rate in North Carolina is on the minds of all voters, and that statistic will likely tip the scales in favor of Romney.
NC deadlocked, but donations to presidential candidates flowing freely - Pendulum
Fmr President Clinton rallies North Carolina voters in support of Obama
Former President Bill Clinton continued his nation-wide tour to attempt to drum up more support for President Barack Obama by making a stop in Raleigh on Sunday, the capital city of the key battleground state of North Carolina. The Obama campaign is making a last minute push in the state, as recent polls show that it is a good possibility that he will lose the state he carried in 2008 to Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney. Clinton continued to illustrate the stark contrasts between the President and Romney, saying that Romney's campaign was based on empty promises, with no explicit plan that is known to the voters.
The former President's visit represents an influx of surrogates campaigning for the President in North Carolina. First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with singer Mariah Carey in Charlotte, NC Monday afternoon, with Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joseph Biden, making an appearance in Huntersville and Asheville on Friday. Some have expressed concern that the President himself has neglected to make any personal appearances himself in the state since the Democratic National Convention during the summer. Coincidentally, Romney has also neglected the state in recent days, preferring to have his network of supporters continue the campaign in his absence, which is likely due to his confidence in carrying the state on Election Day.
Bill Clinton stirs Obama rally - Bellingham Herald
First Lady Michelle Obama makes one more stop in North Carolina - Charlotte Observer
The former President's visit represents an influx of surrogates campaigning for the President in North Carolina. First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with singer Mariah Carey in Charlotte, NC Monday afternoon, with Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joseph Biden, making an appearance in Huntersville and Asheville on Friday. Some have expressed concern that the President himself has neglected to make any personal appearances himself in the state since the Democratic National Convention during the summer. Coincidentally, Romney has also neglected the state in recent days, preferring to have his network of supporters continue the campaign in his absence, which is likely due to his confidence in carrying the state on Election Day.
Bill Clinton stirs Obama rally - Bellingham Herald
First Lady Michelle Obama makes one more stop in North Carolina - Charlotte Observer
Election Official Predicts 69% Turnout In North Carolina
In the battleground state of North Carolina, where one vote may make the difference between which presidential candidate is elected, State Board of Elections Executive Director Gary Bartlett claims that 69% of the registered voters in his state will turn out to vote on or before Tuesday's election. More than 6.6 million registered voters are present in North Carolina, which is very similar to the amount of registered voters four years ago in the 2008 election. 69.53% of registered voters turned out at the polls then, a record-breaking number.
Close to 2.55 million have already voted early in North Carolina, which is around 41%.
NC election officla predicts 69 percent turnout - Charlotte Observer
Close to 2.55 million have already voted early in North Carolina, which is around 41%.
NC election officla predicts 69 percent turnout - Charlotte Observer
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