Staff Reports
Recent polling data reveals that former President Donald Trump is once again breathing down the neck of Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina. This alarming news for Democrats might have led to an unexpected tactical retreat, as reports indicate that Harris is pulling $1.7 million worth of advertising from the Tar Heel State. It appears that some major financial resources are being reallocated, possibly to more favorable political terrain, signaling a defeatist attitude from the Harris campaign.
The withdrawal of advertising dollars is particularly telling, especially as Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita recently pointed to the alarming trends emerging from early voting statistics. For the first time in recorded history, Republican turnout is outpacing that of Democrats. Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign appears oblivious to the shaking ground beneath them, as African American voter turnout has dipped three points since the booming election season of 2020. The numbers are so staggering that even men are slightly outpacing women in casting their ballots.
The Harris Campaign cuts 2M worth of ads in North Carolina because the early voting is trending RED! 💥🥳🎉#NCFORTRUMP #TRUMP47 👊❤️ pic.twitter.com/pm3oPR2gn8
— LynneP (@LynneBP_294) October 30, 2024
In a further blow to the Democrats, heavily blue Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, has seen a steep drop in Democratic voter participation during early voting. Axios contributor Alexandria Sands highlights that around 337,000 ballots had been cast during the initial two weeks, a dramatic decrease from the more than 440,000 ballots cast in the same period four years ago. While Republicans and independents also experienced minor drops, the real story is the staggering 41,000 decrease in Democratic voters. It’s almost like Democrats have thrown in the towel, and if trends continue, Trump could easily secure North Carolina once again.
Despite dismal turnout, Gov. Roy Cooper—a self-proclaimed optimist—remains unfazed, perhaps reminiscing about when President Obama managed to snag a victory in North Carolina back in 2008. His buoyant rhetoric, comparing this year’s race to the “2008 feeling,” feels more like wishful thinking than an informed assessment. With the most recent data in hand, one must wonder what brand of optimism involves ignoring a full-blown panic in the ranks of local Democrats.
The numbers do not lie, and despite the supposed transformation of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party from a volunteer operation to an entity boasting over 20 staffers, turnout speaks louder than empty talk. If this trend of disengagement continues, it seems that the joyride Democrats envisioned in 2024 might come crashing down as they cling to delusions of grandeur. What remains clear is that for the Harris campaign, the Tar Heel State isn’t just slipping away; it’s essentially being abandoned.
