No, I don’t mean “negative” as in negative ads. I mean that this election in North Carolina could be a perfect photographic negative of past elections.

Four times in a row, North Carolina voted Republican for President (and in Senate races) and Democratic for Governor. This year the opposite may happen.

Why?

First there’s a “throw the bums out” mentality. The bums in the White House and Senate are Republican and in Raleigh, Democrats.

Second, North Carolinians always look at the governor differently from a senator. That’s why they elected both Jim Hunt and Jesse Helms – even on the same day once (1996).

Third, neither party has sole rights to campaign incompetence. It can pop up any time on either side.

But Bev Perdue’s campaign seems to be gaining on McCrory now. One poll this week showed her ahead. She went to the N&O editorial board with an aggressive reform plan on DOT, accountability and openness.

Here is a way she might bring home all those McCrory-leaning Democrats around Charlotte: Do an ad featuring that picture of McCrory watching the debate with Sarah Palin.

Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.