Sixty-Six Oh Eight

North Carolina is best known for its legacy over college basketball, beaches, and BBQ- not election leverage. Consistently and with little worry, North Carolina has been known to support Republican candidates like white on rice. Jimmy Carter was the last Democrat to hold favor in a state which most recently voted W. into office with a wide double-digit margin, twice. Thanks to its stereotypical southern behavior, the Tarheel state has been largely ignored and overlooked by presidential candidates for  years- allowing voter enthusiasm and turnout to decline and nearly diminish.

And yet, this year change is in the air. Last week’s CNN/Time poll officially shifted the state from red, and leaning towards McCain, to a definite toss-up state. North Carolina voters are questioning their loyal ties to the GOP party as the nation’s economic and social behavior mirror that of a terrible two year-old. Times are a changing, and with that North Carolina prepares to possibly turn blue for the first time in decades.

Confidence is the crutch in McCain’s campaign for the state. If graded, the Arizona senator deserves an F for a complete lack of effort. Last here in June, McCain refused any time for a public appearance, and just enough time to meet with native Billy Graham, undoubtedly a religious and political heavyweight. The last time NC voters actually saw the Republican candidate was nearly six months ago, in May, where he spoke at Wake Forest University. While pandering to presumptive supporters and fellow North Carolinians, John thanked them as supporters of the great state of.. West Virginia. Classy. Only infinitely out of touch.

And while VP candidate Sarah Palin visited the eastern part of the state on Tuesday, Oct. 7, she did little but serve as chief attack dog. While avoiding the issues and any actual information in support of her boss, Palin only epitomized the ignorance shown to eligible North Carolina voters. Though elite members of the southern redneck population joined her in cries to of “NObama ‘08″ at the Republican rally, waving Confederate flags, and touting Bibles and posters reading “Lipstick Wearers for Palin”- they represented only a minority of the state’s citizens. Thank God.

Democratic powerhouse Barack Obama, on the other hand, has utilized every weapon necessary in the nation’s newest battleground state. The Associated Press reports that Obama’s numbers in the state clearly out-swagger McCain’s on all accounts: 400 paid officers in 40 offices, compared to McCain’s 30 offices with about 20 or 30 salaried staffers. The Obama push in North Carolina is perhaps most invigorated by nearly 17, 000 volunteers who in one recent weekend knocked on 107, 000 front doors.

What has Obama seen? Results. Since the start of the new year, new voter registration calculates a jump in Democratic identification- four times that of Conservatives. NC events thrown by Obama and supporters have drawn into the tens of thousands and college campuses across the state continue to excite the potential youth vote and political participation.

Fifteen North Carolina electoral votes are at stake come November. McCain must get in gear and take heed in this undeniable battleground. If nearly thirty years in the Senate have taught him anything, they should have taught him the importance of getting elected and staying elected. The McCain campaign should not just hope his skills as a maverick may allow him to win a contested region he’s already falling behind in. Actions speak louder than words. Just ask Obama.