A few weeks ago, John Kerry decided to spend some campaign funds in Virginia for advertising, a move thought by some to be futile, given the conventional wisdom that the Commonwealth is solidly in the Bush column. Now, we learn that our next door neighbor may not be as “red” as was once thought. Bush’s lead over Kerry in N.C. is only five points – and that’s without N.C. Sen. John Edwards on the ticket.
The new poll hints at some of the reasons why:
* On the economy, 56 percent of those polled do not think Bush has done enough to protect furniture, textile and other manufacturing industries from foreign trade.
* On the war in Iraq, 46 percent of those polled approve of Bush’s leadership there while 44 percent disapprove. This is a remarkably narrow divide given this state’s long-standing support for the military.
Bush beat Gore in ’00 by 13 points.