In choosing North Carolina as one of his first general election appearances, Barack Obama was sending a signal that he is seriously looking at contesting the Tar Heel state.
"North Carolina is in play," said Congressman G.K. Butterfield of Wilson, a key Obama leader. "We are a purple state. We are neither red nor blue."
North Carolina has long been regarded as a red state, or a Republican-leaning state in presidential politics. Only once in the past 40 years, in 1976 when Jimmy Carter was the nominee, has the state voted Democrat, Rob Christensen reports.
But Obama spent considerable time and resources in the state during last month's Democratic primary.
Butterfield said one goal of Obama's visit here was to reach out to the 20 percent of the electorate that is registered as unaffilaited. But he also said the Illinois senator needs to take his message to working people of all colors.
During the primary here, Obama did poorly among white working Democrats, losing that demographic to Hillary Clinton.
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Re: Butterfield: N.C. a 'Purple State'
I wish someone in the state would challenge G.K. Butterfield, I would but I am not old enough yet. He is an absolute disgrace and allowing the Northeastern region of North Carolina fall in even more economic despair, yet idolized as a immortal. It absolutely appalling to me and it is not only because I am a conservative, because I would support any candidate that could accomplish something for my home district.