It’s a fact that many in the Northeastern USA consider North Carolina to be backwards because we’re Southern. In the days of Jesse Helms, the stereotypes that branded us weren’t always unjustified. I can’t describe how let down I felt when Harvey Gantt lost to Jesse Helms after the Congressional Club decided to go racial with the “Hands” commercial. Helms was losing, desperate, and they decided to stoop low and appeal to the worst instincts of North Carolinians and they won. I was disappointed in North Carolina’s voters and felt as though all the backwards stereotypes about North Carolina might have been warranted.
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The Barack Obama victory last night should be a proud moment for North Carolina, even if he’s not your chosen candidate. I’ve been arguing for years that North Carolina’s metropolitan areas are far more racially integrated and progressive than Northeastern cities like Philadelphia and Boston. The breakdown of the votes last night bear that out and I’m proud of our state. I’m proud that Barack and Michelle Obama spent the day in Raleigh, drank beer in the same bar we frequent. I’m proud the victory speech took place in Raleigh, instead of Charlotte, the home of all that banking money. The local coverage (WRAL) featured Carter Wrenn and CNN featured Alex Castellanos, the two creators of the “Hands” commercial. I never thought I’d be happy to see those faces but their presence added some historical context to the day and our progress as state. Good job NC!
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GOBAMA NC!
Agreed, I was very proud of our state for this primary win.
Others had me disappointed, specifically the low numbers for Senate candidate Jim Neal. But my optimistic side would like to think that if he was better-funded, he would have done better. Maybe? Could an openly-gay candidate win a statewide race? Someday perhaps.
Well–on to November….let’s keep this momentum going. NC is indeed a purple state, not a red one. And may be someday a blue one, hopefully in my lifetime.