N.C. Dems giddy, uneasy

The state takes on fresh political look

DENVER -- North Carolina Democrats could be forgiven if they thought the thin air of the Mile High City was depriving their brains of oxygen. As they packed Friday to leave the Democratic National Convention, the political landscape back home in North Carolina seemed a bit disorienting.

Consider:

* North Carolina is supposed to be a reliable red state in presidential politics, but Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is throwing money and manpower into the Tar Heel state, treating it more like a swing state such as Ohio.

* Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole was considered so formidable that leading Democratic heavyweights passed up a chance to run against her, but a recent poll has Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan running neck and neck.

* Having controlled the governor's office for 16 years, Democrats assumed they would elect Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue as the state's first woman governor. But Perdue is facing a stiff challenge from her Republican opponent, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

While Democrats were returning from Denver with a sense of enthusiasm after their history-making convention, there was also a feeling that the two months before the Nov. 4 election promise bruising, close fights.

"I think it's tightening all around," said U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat from Chapel Hill and former state party chairman.

Part of what troubles Democratic Party leaders is that the election has yet to take form. Will it be about the economy, gas prices, immigration or the war in Iraq? Will it be about the political scandals in Raleigh?

One thing is clear -- most polls show voters are not happy with the direction of things.

"Any kind of uncertainty is worrisome," said state Senate Democratic leader Tony Rand of Fayetteville.

At the start of the year, it appeared that the stars were aligned for a big Democratic year. President Bush's approval ratings were in the cellar. The war in Iraq remained unpopular. And the economy -- from gas prices to the housing market -- is in trouble. Democrats seemed on a roll after having one of their best elections in years in 2006.

Additionally, North Carolina Democrats appear likely to receive more national help than at any time in recent memory. David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, said this week that Obama is committed to a major effort in North Carolina, part of a three state Southern experiment that includes Virginia and Georgia, to expand the Democrat's electoral map in the presidential race.

Obama has already spent $2 million on television ads in North Carolina, has set up 16 campaign offices and has between 150 and 200 paid campaign organizers in the state.

"The Obama campaign has spent more in North Carolina than anybody has in a long time," said Democratic Gov. Mike Easley.

But North Carolina has gone Republican in nine of the past 10 presidential contests, with President Bush winning North Carolina by a 12 percent margin in 2004.

Republicans are trying to peel off Democratic votes, particularly former supporters of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. With McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, some women may take a new look at the Republican ticket.

Anti-Obama effect

Charlotte businessman Mark Erwin, a former Clinton ambassador who has endorsed McCain, said many Democrats are unwilling to back Obama because they feel he is not seasoned enough for the White House.

"I don't think that the enthusiasm is going to continue," Erwin said of the Democratic convention.

Trisha Redwine, chairwoman of Mecklenburg Citizens for McCain, likes her candidate's chances.

"I believe that 28 to 30 percent of Democrats will either choose to stay home or vote for McCain," she said.

Democrats say this election is unlike past elections. The key this time, they say, is a massive voter registration effort among black people and on college campuses. They also point to growing Democratic ranks in suburban areas in the Triangle and Charlotte.

"The get-out-the-vote effort is going to be unprecedented in the state's history," said state Democratic Chairman Jerry Meek.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield of Wilson, a key Obama leader, predicts Obama can narrowly carry the state if 120,000 new voters can be registered.

Democrats recognize that some members of their party are unlikely to vote for Obama.

"I think some old-line Democrats will be hung up on race issues," said Larry Townsend, a Democratic delegate from Pembroke. "But enough new people will be registered to offset that."

Democrats on offense

The presidential race could have an important effect on North Carolina's other key races -- for the U.S. Senate, governor and the legislature.

Some Democrats feel as though they are in a position to make major gains.

"We are in an offensive position," said Ed Turlington, a Raleigh attorney who was general chairman of John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign. "Most past election years we have been in a defensive posture."

It's still a bit disorienting, though.

"You have to be nervous," Meek said. "The stakes are huge."