ABC News has just completed a piece on the state of North Carolina and its electoral and political history since electing President Barack Obama in 2008 that seemed relevant to this blog. It suggests that some analysts have viewed the 2008 election as a possble turning point for Democrats in a state that has been strongly Republican at the national level. While most news outlets indicate that Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney has a significant lead, ABC suggests that this race is still competitive.

North Carolina has had a particularly difficult battle in its economic recovery, with unemployment hovering around 9%, a good deal higher than the 7.8% national average. Normally, high unemployment would present a situation that is ripe for a presidential candidate challenging the incumbent to win that particular state. This is not the case in North Carolina. The race is still very competitive in this battleground state, and in the next 7 days leading up to Election Day, the race is likely to only get tighter.

 

Getting to Know a Battleground State: North Carolina - ABC News