Blue NC

Kamala Harris rode a post-debate wave into North Carolina last week.

The media should stop asking if she can win the state. Clearly, she can.

Even before the debate, polls showed her leading Trump here 49-46.Last March, Trump led President Biden by 5.

An eight-point swing is huge in today’s polarized electorate.

Then there’s Trump’s obsession: crowd sizes.

In Greensboro Thursday, 17,000-plus packed a Harris rally. In Charlotte, 7,500 came. WFAE said it was “the biggest Democratic rally in Charlotte since Barack Obama in 2008.”

That year, Obama won North Carolina by 14,177 votes. In 2012, he lost here by 7,996.

In 2016, Clinton lost the state by 173,315 votes. In 2020, Biden lost by 74,483 out of 5.5 million votes.

Clearly, a young (comparatively), modern, optimistic and, yes, Black candidate does well in North Carolina.

Like Obama, Harris stirs enthusiasm among young voters and people of color.

She has an extra boost this year: women angry at Trump and Republicans for taking away their reproductive rights.

In North Carolina, Josh Stein’s ad barrage has opened up a double-digit lead over Mark Robinson.

Democrats have strong statewide candidates like Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson and Mo Green.

For 18 months, state Chair Anderson Clayton has been reenergizing the party.

Popular Governor Roy Cooper is campaigning hard.

The party and the Harris campaign are investing heavily in a ground game. An army of volunteers is stepping up.

The encouraging numbers – polls and rally crowds – didn’t just happen. They came from months of hard work at organizing and messaging.

But the seas will get rougher these next seven weeks. The headwinds will get stronger. Trump and MAGA Republicans will stir up waves of fear, hate and racism.

You see the warning signs when you drive around the state.

The race in North Carolina – and the Presidency itself – could be decided by fewer people than came to Harris’ rallies last week.

Democrats must not let up.