[Nataku X]

I agree with snopercod that the Republicans did indeed turn out in historic numbers.

But, in the end, you've got to remember that NC doesn't have that many Republicans to turn out--we're still a Democrat state, just as much of the South is. Whenever a new Democrat pops up, he still has an instant advantage as long as he's a native. It's very hard for those lifelong Democrats to accept that the party they grew up with has totally changed at all levels, so they're clinging to the good ole Southern Democrat they miss.

The fact that Bowles, a popular native Democrat, got beaten at all (2000 doesn't count because of Dole's celebrity status) is a big sign of progress in itself.

We've got to work on not only creating Bush voters, but on creating Republican voters in general.

(BTW, I love Transylvania. I've seen a few of your white squirrels... beautiful!)

[JWinNC]

"But, in the end, you've got to remember that NC doesn't have that many Republicans to turn out--we're still a Democrat state, just as much of the South is. Whenever a new Democrat pops up, he still has an instant advantage as long as he's a native. It's very hard for those lifelong Democrats to accept that the party they grew up with has totally changed at all levels, so they're clinging to the good ole Southern Democrat they miss."

Oh yes, I know. I'm a native and I've got lots of native Dem friends, especially in the east. It's really frustrating, I can ask them about various issues and their answers are conservative, conservative, conservative and then I ask them who they are voting for and its "the Democrats, of course!"

I'm in a liberal county and it pains me. Conservatives just don't seem to be as organized here as we need to be.