An ensemble of speakers, inclusive of Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, was seen striving to persuade an eager crowd in Asheville on September 17th. Despite their earnest efforts, one could not help but notice their desperate attempts for relevance outside of the Democratic enclave of Buncombe County. They were evidently disturbed with North Carolina’s standing as a potential swing state, as they appealed to spectators to assist in turning the state a shade of Democratic blue.
Taking the lead was Asheville Mayor, Esther Manheimer. Speaking ahead of Walz at the event, she outlined her aggressive campaign plan of call-making, door-knocking, and vote-registration. ‘North Carolina is up for grabs this year and you can make it work,’ she claimed, apparently assuming that strategies from previous elections were solid enough to grant the Democrats control.
Manheimer’s sense of humor was on full display as she recounted how ‘pleasant’ Walz was during their brief interaction. The audience was regaled by her declaration of key issues at stake at the election – reproductive autonomy and economic opportunities and how, in her view, a Democratic victory would secure them. However, one cannot help but question why these issues haven’t been resolved in the last four years under the present Democratic leadership.
In their desire to secure a victory away from former President Donald Trump’s tight hold, it was clear that speakers were targeting not just Buncombe County, but also its red neighboring regions. A proponent of this strategy was Meredith Anderson, an organizer with the N.C. Coordinated Campaign, who confidently declared, ‘The road to the White House runs through North Carolina.’ The question remains, however, if the attendees found this optimism as compelling as the speaker did.
Walz, in a recurring campaign joke about recognizing supporters and opponents by the color of their hats, relayed a narrative wherein Harris reminds him that they are committed to serving both sides equally. While the punchline fell flat, his intention of extending his and Harris’s service to all citizens should be critically evaluated to determine if their actions match their promises.
Among the speakers was former state Supreme Court Justice, Bob Orr, once a staunch Republican, who took the stage in support of the Harris-Walz candidacy. Despite bearing a Republican facade for almost five decades, Orr claims he no longer recognizes the party. He argued that the Democratic ticket had reached out to gain the support of Republicans, moderates, and independents unwilling to support Donald Trump and his ‘extreme agenda’.
Orr went on to criticize the party he had been a part of, painting an unfavorable picture of its current objectives. He implied that it had moved away from protecting freedoms and aiding the middle class, to promote an extreme project designed to undermine the foundations of democracy. While this provocative statement stirred the audience into chanting, it also raised questions about whether Orr’s personal sentiments were a true reflection of the party he had once pledged loyalty to.
Over the past half-century, North Carolina has only twice backed a Democratic Presidential candidate, the most recent endorsement being for Barack Obama in 2008. Despite this fact, local spectators like N.C. state Rep. Lindsey Prather echoed the speakers’ hopeful sentiment of flipping the state to a Democratic preference. However, historical voting trends suggest that this endeavor will be a challenging one.
Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore also took the stage, warning against a second Trump term which she claimed would cause devastation for Western North Carolina. Nonetheless, her stern warning seemed to overlook the economic growth and job creation the region experienced under the Trump administration. She cited a Republican neighbor’s concerns about Trump’s potential reelection, perhaps a tad too conveniently. Despite her assertions, it was unclear if Kilgore’s alleged widespread disapproval of Trump reflected the broader public sentiment in North Carolina.
As if to echo Kilgore, Walz sternly advised his audience to discard their support for a party that was failing them. N.C. state Rep. Caleb Rudow, in a statement released during Walz’s visit, reinforced this sentiment. He urged disenchanted Republican voters to switch sides, a clear indication that the Democrats are striving to overtake a team that has consistently proven to outperform them.
The rally showcased the Democrats grappling with the tough task of swaying a significantly conservative voter base to their side. Their confidence raises questions, considering that former President Donald Trump won the state by a slim margin of 1.34%, or 75,000 votes. It remains to be seen if their efforts will be fruitful or fall flat.
While their messages were peppered with optimism, it was difficult to overlook the Democrats’ nervous tension, as they grappled with a formidable opposition in a mostly red state. Despite their hopeful speeches, the formidable challenge of turning the state blue remains, a reality that could potentially deflate their giddy enthusiasm.
Contrary to the speakers’ confident assertions, the battle for North Carolina’s political allegiance is far from a ‘coin toss.’ The determined crowd at the rally, ardent speakers, and illustrative stories highlight the deep-seated political divide the Democrats face in a state that predominantly leans Republican.