TPM, please delete the 12:58 a.m. post.

Most certainly, Democrats need to be watching the polls like hawks. The GOP tend to move around with their trickery i.e. Florida then Ohio.

AA voters? So my state has a substantial number of recovering alcoholic voters?

Totally (or mostly) OT but am I the only person that bristles at the term African-American? Last I looked the blacks in this country are American -period and have as much connection to Africa as I do to Holland. (Less, in fact, since many in my family lived in Holland just 3 generations ago.) And, frankly -- EXCEPT for social reaction to their skin color - they have less and less connection with one another. Our black population is rapidly becoming as diverse - culturally, financially, and by all other criteria -- as our population in general.

That's why I most often use the now PC-incorrect (I'm told) term 'blacks' -- which is also factually incorrect but does at least refer to the only thing that is real in this dichotmy between Aftrican-Americans and the rest of us Americans: skin color. And, when you think about it, skin color doesn't make much of a difference at all. (To take it to the ridiculous extreme, am I different when I have a sun burn?)

I truly have no wish to offend but find myself offended on behalf of people who are as American as I am but who get "hyphenated" like their Americanism has to be ... well ... segregated. (To use a really bad term.) I'm not a female-American, or Christian-American, or Southern-American, or Dutch-American. I'm an American, of a certain gender, who has a certain religion, was raised in a certain part of the country, and whose ancestors came from a certain other country. How come I get to be simply an "American" with no qualifiers and my dark-skinned neighbor does not?

Goldspinner, you have a great deal more standing to speak on this issue than I do and I'd love to know your thoughts.

I grew up in the sixties and used "Black" as it was the choice of the blacks back then; Black Power, etc. Now I find myself alternating between both African American and Black. I guess I say Black more often as it feels most natural when I am required to talk about a particular constituency but otherwise, I don't generally refer to a person by color at all.

Nobody has ever told me that "Black" is insulting or derogatory. I'm fine with calling myself "White" but would find "East European American" (Hungarian) cumbersome.

I found in general that persons growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s might appreciate being called black. On the other hand, black and African American are interchangeable with my cohort. Sometimes, it is just an individualized preference.

I heard today that McCain is "opening offices in North Carolina" in response to Obamas successes there. Obama's campaign is outstanding!

McCain even copies Obama's words! Wouldn't a normal person be too embarassed to do that?

He says, "Enough" copying Obama, who used the phrase to respond to McCain's dishonest ads.

Now McCain has the hubris to say that "Obama doesn't get it!"

Many others as well. My conclusion: McCain isn't normal. In fact he is about 20 standard deviations from the norm. Palin? She fits into the norm for people who have never thought about having a world view; who think only of the next power grab, and who speak in tongues. In that group she is definitely in the norm. As to Vice Presidents, she is 90 standard deviations from the norm!

As someone who lives in SC, the mainstream press, especially the statewide newspapers, are still a Repub stronghold, but I've seen oodles more excitement on the ground about Obama than McCain. There are a lot more signs in people's yards for democratic candidates on a local and national level than for Repub candidates.

The problem in SC is that the Repubs used to turn out the 'family values' Christian base in droves using sham amendments and such on hot-button issues. There hasn't been nearly as much of that this year, partly because the Repubs have already passed every anti-gay amendment they possibly can. But voter blocks who usually don't vote regularly or predictably (college-age and black voters especially) seem energized. I've heard quite a bit out of the most deeply impoverished districts in the state, which is strange since they're usually silent come election time. Community organizers (mock them at your peril) have worked overtime this election, more vocally than I've seen in the past.

I don't know if it's actually possible to put SC in play as a realistic bet for Obama, but there will be a heck of a lot more Democratic votes here than usual. One problem for Democrats is that SC's economy is particularly resilient to depressions. The state historically has a terrible economy to begin with, so what registers as a huge dip for the rest of the nation isn't as noticeable here, especially in the housing market. That means that some swing voters who might get swayed by the economy in other states won't see that issue as strongly in SC. It may be a red state still, but I wouldn't be surprised if the national media get shocked by how close the spread turns out to be.

I was in Charlotte today. There were 20,000 inside the gates and over 20,000 unable to get inside in time. The crowd was an incredible mix of whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, old, young, etc.. Signs I saw and loved and was a little surprised to see: "NASCAR MAMA FOR OBAMA", "REDNECKS FOR OBAMA" and a surprising number of "Republicans for Obama". The event was not held in an arena, by the way...it was outside. People were incredibly enthusiastic - I heard a lot of people who didn't make it into the secure area say they were happy to have just been there waiting in the lines that stretched almost 3 miles and weaved through the city's high-rise blocks and parks. No question, race will play a part here but from what I hear from friends and relatives in "northern" states the impact of racism could be greater back home "up north". The other potential advantage for Democrats in North Carolina is that Democrats outnumber Republicans here. If we get out the vote...it may make "the" difference.

Cville Dem, et al.,

Since I actually happen to be a black person who votes in North Carolina, I could care less if I'm presumed to be "off message". Sneer if you like, but in this state Republicans are largely elected by Democrats so you can skip the partisan crap. It's a lesson Democrats haven't learned yet, especially in other southern states.

I'm still calling some of you out since you're still oblivious to your biases. This year, the game has permanently changed. If you haven't figured it out by now, the usual smug pontificating about black folks as if we're merely political pawns or poll stats isn't going to cut it anymore. You better watch what you call us, folks. The Clintons made the fatal mistake of disrespecting black voters and their hubris lost Hillary Clinton the nomination. At least in the Republican Party, people are refreshingly upfront about their prejudices. That's more than I can say about the closeted racists who call themselves Democrats.

Bussta,

It's obvious that you find African-Americans amusing...which is probably why the first part of your screen name is a a play on the moniker of a certain well-known African-American singer/rapper. You really don't have a clue do you?

Buster Brown was a comic strip (by and about whitey). Busta Rhymes was named after George "Buster" Rhymes, a football player. Someone mixes those two and suddenly they "find African-Americans amusing?"

And is that bad? Some African Americans are very amusing. That's why we let them and the Jews in the country club (through the side entrance, plz). We're favoring Mexicans for a lot of things these days--they're not as intimidating as the AAs--but they're just not very amusing. Carlos Mencia? Paul Rodriguez?

Here's something else not-funny:

"If you haven't figured it out by now, the usual smug pontificating about black folks as if we're merely political pawns or poll stats isn't going to cut it anymore. You better watch what you call us, folks."

You yourself have switched usage from "black" to "African-American" in the course of this thread. You are asking for respect. But you are not giving any. You are drawing lines in the sand and pitching a fit because someone used an abbreviation to describe your demographic. And yes, no matter what happens in this election, you will continue to be your demographic--you're an African American (AA), you're a woman (F), you're a Democrat (D), you live in North Carolina (NC).

Or are you saying that something has happened during this campaign that means black folks should no longer be included in discussions of demographic data?

The way I read this thread I see several people who may be a bit clueless, but who mean well and are (or were) trying to understand your perspective. And you, alone, doing your best to spread racism and hate.

Fuzz,

Call someone who looks like me an "AA" and they'll probably go upside your head. Please feel free to try it for yourself.