There are two wildly divergent states of mind – and emotional states – among North Carolina Democrats today.

I saw one at last Saturday night’s Unity Dinner in Raleigh. I see and hear the other among Democrats in politics and government in Raleigh.

At the dinner, 400-plus eager, energized and enthusiastic Democrats jammed the reception, ballroom, halls and open areas at N.C. State’s Talley Center.

They were of all ages, races, genders, orientations, backgrounds and hometowns. Many were young, which always makes a party better. It was a good-looking, sharp-dressed crowd.

They hooted, hollered and repeatedly jumped to their feet during Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ fierce, funny and aggressive keynote speech.

I left pumped up.

But I get a very different vibe from Democratic legislators, staffers and lobbyists in Raleigh.

As one legislator said, “We’re beat down.”

I hear weariness and frustration in their voices.

I get it. It’s no fun to go to work every day and get your brains beaten in every 20 minutes.

Maybe the dynamism of new party chair Anderson Clayton and the Democrats at dinner can lift up the insiders.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” Ralph Waldo Emerson said.

There’s plenty out there.

(Pictured: Judge Allison Riggs.)