The New York Times says North Carolina is a toss-up.
The newspaper had previously not included the state in its round-up of battlegrounds and had it leaning towards John McCain on its electoral map, but that changed today:
North Carolina, a state that is normally is about as red as they get, is being moved into the toss-up column. Mr. Obama has poured tons of money into the state, and is spending a lot of time there, and Republicans are growing increasingly anxious that he might take it away from them.
Meantime, Congressional Quarterly also moved the state into its "No Clear Favorite" category today.
At the outset, McCain had the edge — the GOP has won 9 out of the past 10 contests — but his comfort margin has evaporated. Obama can count on a large African-American turnout.
The Cook Political Report, MSNBC's editors, Republican consultant Karl Rove, and editors of The Atlantic Monthly also consider North Carolina a toss-up.
The Rothenberg Political Report still calls the state "Leans McCain," but his ratings haven't been publicly updated since late September.
Comments
Re: NYT, CQ: N.C. is a presidential toss-up
October 15, 2008 - 4:54am — pearl89I for one hope that NC votes for Obama. He has run a much more dignified campaign than McCain/Palin. I was very disappointed that McCain picked SPalin as his running mate. Not by any stretch of the imagination is she qualified to VP. I also check Mudflats and Alaska Daily News every day and for what I can gather Alaskans don't even want her back. If this is the type of decisions, not to mention all his flopping, McCain makes; I don't want him. McCain has essentially been running for president for 10 years. You would think by now he would know how to run a campaign and if he can't run a campaign any better than he has the last 2, I don't think he can run a country.
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 13, 2008 - 7:07am — captainjackI believe that some are getting over sensitive. Why not discuss all the issues. Say what you may and let the chips fall where they may. No need to change the rules. Keep up the good work.
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 12, 2008 - 5:51pm — PrototypeI think your rules are fine as they are.
If someone makes a comment that I do not like I can immediately repudiate the comment. I doubt too many will change their views or vote based on the information contained in the comments posted here.
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 12, 2008 - 4:53pm — bnartistIf you are considering a Nazi rule please review Godwin's Law.
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 12, 2008 - 1:57pm — jjsmith2Mr. Terrell,
Do you not see a difference between someone having an opinion of an individual being despicable. There is a big difference between calling someone despicable, which is an opinion, and calling someone a Nazi.
For instance, I find you to be a despicable candidate, based upon your idea that calling someone despicable is far worse than calling someone a Nazi.
Mass Murders>>>>>>>>>someone with an opinion.
One is a lie the other is an opinion.
"Us intelligence readers"
October 11, 2008 - 11:47pm — Brice_Trent"Us intelligence readers should be able to ignore comments like that."
Well written as usual, Terrell.
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 11, 2008 - 7:26pm — tangozYou are not open to the NAZI word but are open to slanderous comments?
I believe calling a candidate despicable (without any evidence as to why it is a valid description) and another making a statement against a candidate that WE KNOW IS A LIE is alot worse to allow than a word like Nazi. Us intelligence readers should be able to ignore comments like that.
Re: NYT, CQ: N.C. is a presidential toss-up
October 11, 2008 - 7:21pm — riverrdOur state has NEVER been as "Red" as the out-of-state pundits would have you believe. Sure, our people have been scared into voting repoblican for President since President Carter, several senators and for Two (2) repoblican governors in over one hundred years and a handful of Congressional seats in ghetto-like Congressional Districts, but our state has always been Democratic at its core. Our true nature will rise above the fear and hate of the repoblican attack machine this year and show the rest of our nation that North Carolina has returned to the path of enlightenment and progress! Rejoice in our Victory! The Day of Liberation is at Hand!
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 11, 2008 - 5:19pm — Isaac136As a longtime reader who may be guilty of going overboard on snark from time to time, I hope that you won't find it necessary, RTB, to go "nazi" on us.
I'll try to behave myself, but can't vouch for crazy ole FFC!
Re: Should comment rules be changed?
October 11, 2008 - 4:45pm — domewatcherI agree that there would be "constant battles over censorship." Political commentary often times drifts into unchartered waters and the next few weeks may indeed be the perfect storm. I have read that Missouri has "truth squads" but I don't know if I believe that or not.
The Dome has already been declared "dead" by some who were either mad that you did censor something or did not censor something or you allowed something that they thought that you should not have allowed or that you kept the bushes rather than giving them to charity, or something.
I'm sure that whatever you do will keep you "alive."
Should comment rules be changed?
October 11, 2008 - 2:28pm — ryanteaguebeckwith (author)Longtime readers know that I have a pretty open policy on comments. I try to delete only those that include swear words, so as not to wade into constant battles over censorship, etc. But I have noticed an uptick in the ugliness of late and I've been deleting some of the more egregious comments.
On the Nazi, socialist stuff, etc., I often think it's as damaging to the side it's purportedly on as against it, but I am open to a no Nazi rule if things get worse.
Readers?
— RTB
Based on the posts that are allowed...
October 11, 2008 - 10:46am — jjsmith2Under the Dome and the News and Observer have no problem with being associated with individuals who think Barack Obama is both a Communist and a Nazi.
Re: NYT, CQ: N.C. is a presidential toss-up
October 10, 2008 - 7:20pm — mike27513Soon Comrade Obama becomes "Dear Leader".
We won't need to have these silly elections ever again.
We won't need this silly Freedom of Speech either
All Hail Obama! Onward to National Socialism!