There was no enthusiasm gap among Republicans in Charlotte on Thursday night. More than 300 Mecklenburg County party activists turned out for
precinct meetings that signaled the start of an election year that for
many Republicans holds as much promise as opportunity.
"I've never seen this many people at a precinct meeting," said Linda Daves, a former county and state party chairwoman. "This feels more like a convention."
More than two dozen candidates, some still to announce, mingled with activists organized into more than 100 precincts in the basement of uptown's First Baptist Church. Though normally low-key affairs, the meeting had all the trappings of a political rally.
In Raleigh, nearly 2,000 Republicans turned out for a similar event, where gubernatorial candidate and former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory spoke.
"We've accomplished half of our goal even before the campaign even starts," McCrory said. "Beverly Perdue will not be the next governor of North Carolina."
The kickoffs came in a year when some polls suggest the GOP suffers from an "enthusiasm gap." Turnout in last month's Florida primary, for example, was down 14 percent from 2008. As four Republicans continue to battle for the presidential nomination, President Barack Obama's approval rating has slowly risen, according to three new surveys.
In North Carolina, though, Republicans have reason to be optimistic. McCrory led in the polls even before Perdue announced she won't run for re-election, leaving Democrats scrambling for a candidate. On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Brad Miller of Raleigh announced he wouldn't run.
And after winning the General Assembly in 2010, Republicans are mobilizing to keep it, armed with new district lines they drew.
"I'd say that things are looking pretty good for Republicans this year," said Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm. "They're favored in the governor's race no matter who" Democrats nominate.
"Voters are split right down the middle in terms of who they want to control the legislature," he added. "But (Republicans) have such a structural advantage because of redistricting."
No place is the enthusiasm more evident than in the 9th Congressional District.
Thursday night's event drew nine men vying for the seat long held by retiring U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick. A 10th candidate, on duty in Afghanistan, was represented by his wife. Moving around a crowded floor, the candidates were literally bumping into one another.
"Saying hello to folks is something I'm second to none about," said 9th District candidate Andy Dulin, a Charlotte City Council member. He turned to greet a voter only to find that rival Dan Barry of Union County already had grabbed the man's hand.
The race is so much in flux that only eight of the 10 candidates were listed on a straw poll ballot, even though the two others - former state Sen. Robert Pittenger and newcomer Ken Leonczyk - worked the crowd.
In the presidential straw poll, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won 42 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished two votes ahead of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. Both had 23 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed with 12 percent.
Though Republicans are divided over their nominee, they say they'll unite on one candidate.
"Barack Obama is a big motivator for Republicans to come out and participate in the process," said Daves, the former party chairwoman.
She said holding the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte will only motivate Republicans more.
Obama carried North Carolina by 14,000 votes in 2008, the first Democrat to win the state since 1976. He doesn't want to lose it.
"On any given day across the city and across the state, our volunteers are making phone calls, registering voters and bringing new supporters into our already strong organization," said Cameron French, a spokesman for Obama for America. Michael Bitzer, a political scientist at Catawba College, said Republicans are well aware of that.
"(Republicans) are not going to make the same mistake they did in 2008, and that was basically take North Carolina for granted," he said.
Rob Christensen from the (Raleigh) News & Observer contributed.
"I've never seen this many people at a precinct meeting," said Linda Daves, a former county and state party chairwoman. "This feels more like a convention."
More than two dozen candidates, some still to announce, mingled with activists organized into more than 100 precincts in the basement of uptown's First Baptist Church. Though normally low-key affairs, the meeting had all the trappings of a political rally.
In Raleigh, nearly 2,000 Republicans turned out for a similar event, where gubernatorial candidate and former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory spoke.
"We've accomplished half of our goal even before the campaign even starts," McCrory said. "Beverly Perdue will not be the next governor of North Carolina."
The kickoffs came in a year when some polls suggest the GOP suffers from an "enthusiasm gap." Turnout in last month's Florida primary, for example, was down 14 percent from 2008. As four Republicans continue to battle for the presidential nomination, President Barack Obama's approval rating has slowly risen, according to three new surveys.
In North Carolina, though, Republicans have reason to be optimistic. McCrory led in the polls even before Perdue announced she won't run for re-election, leaving Democrats scrambling for a candidate. On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Brad Miller of Raleigh announced he wouldn't run.
And after winning the General Assembly in 2010, Republicans are mobilizing to keep it, armed with new district lines they drew.
"I'd say that things are looking pretty good for Republicans this year," said Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm. "They're favored in the governor's race no matter who" Democrats nominate.
"Voters are split right down the middle in terms of who they want to control the legislature," he added. "But (Republicans) have such a structural advantage because of redistricting."
No place is the enthusiasm more evident than in the 9th Congressional District.
Thursday night's event drew nine men vying for the seat long held by retiring U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick. A 10th candidate, on duty in Afghanistan, was represented by his wife. Moving around a crowded floor, the candidates were literally bumping into one another.
"Saying hello to folks is something I'm second to none about," said 9th District candidate Andy Dulin, a Charlotte City Council member. He turned to greet a voter only to find that rival Dan Barry of Union County already had grabbed the man's hand.
The race is so much in flux that only eight of the 10 candidates were listed on a straw poll ballot, even though the two others - former state Sen. Robert Pittenger and newcomer Ken Leonczyk - worked the crowd.
In the presidential straw poll, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won 42 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished two votes ahead of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. Both had 23 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed with 12 percent.
Though Republicans are divided over their nominee, they say they'll unite on one candidate.
"Barack Obama is a big motivator for Republicans to come out and participate in the process," said Daves, the former party chairwoman.
She said holding the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte will only motivate Republicans more.
Obama carried North Carolina by 14,000 votes in 2008, the first Democrat to win the state since 1976. He doesn't want to lose it.
"On any given day across the city and across the state, our volunteers are making phone calls, registering voters and bringing new supporters into our already strong organization," said Cameron French, a spokesman for Obama for America. Michael Bitzer, a political scientist at Catawba College, said Republicans are well aware of that.
"(Republicans) are not going to make the same mistake they did in 2008, and that was basically take North Carolina for granted," he said.
Rob Christensen from the (Raleigh) News & Observer contributed.
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