G.O.P.’s Full Control in Long-Moderate North Carolina May Leave Lasting Stamp

[struggle4progress]

By KIM SEVERSON
Published: December 11, 2012

With a Republican newly elected as governor and a Republican-controlled legislature, North Carolina, long a politically moderate player in the South, will soon have its most conservative government in a century.

Pat McCrory, the longtime mayor of Charlotte, easily defeated Walter Dalton last month in the governor’s race. Mr. Dalton entered the race after Bev Perdue, a Democratic governor bruised by low approval ratings and battered by the Republican-dominated Senate and House, decided not to run again.

It has been more than 28 years since North Carolina elected a Republican governor and more than 100 years since both that office and the legislature were controlled by Republicans. As a result, North Carolina is preparing for an ideological shift whose effects could be felt for decades.

“It’s pretty much a stunning change,” said Jeanne Bonds, a Democrat and frequent political commentator who served as the mayor of Knightdale, N.C. “The Republicans run a social agenda that’s not what many North Carolinians are used to seeing.” ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/us/politics/gop-to-take-control-in-long-moderate-north-carolina.html?_r=0

[dsc]

1. elections have consequences

we can only hope that the consequences of this one cause people to rethink the choice they made.

[Zoeisright]

2. Then hopefully some citizens will have their eyes opened for them.

That's what it takes in some places.

[VirginiaTarheel]

3. An utter disaster in North Carolina

Art Pope now owns the state

[politicaljunkie41910]

4. I did a quick analysis of the election results right after the election and determined that it would

not take a whole lot of votes to swing many Red States to Blue States. Romney won North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, North Carolina, and Alaska by 640,436 votes Total and a total of 41 Electoral Votes. (I tried to set up a table but it didn't work). With a little strategic planning, we could flip these Red States to Blue for good. Most of these states would be considered desirable places to live, (if you don't object to GOP neighbors). With the onslaught of baby boomers heading for retirement, I would recommend a 10 year strategy to repopulate vulnerable Red States. I would propose that the DNC consider it as part of their 50 state strategy for the future.

State Romney Obama Difference Elec Votes
North Dakota 188,320 124,966 63,354 3
South Dakota 210,610 145,039 65,571 3
Montana 267,928 201,839 66,089 3
Wyoming 170,962 69,286 101,676 3
Arizona 1,233,654 1,025,232 208,422 11
North Carolina 2,265,744 2,172,456 93,288 15
Alaska 164,676 122,640 42,036 3
Total 4,501,894 3,861,458 640,436 41

Florida 4,163,447 4,237,756 (74,309) 29