Did it just take Obama to energize the black vote? Did the Research Triangle have significant population growth during the 2000s?
Probably a combination of the two along with the increased transplant growth. You also had the national climate and a solid win for Obama in 2008 nationwide. The actual trend in NC from 0 to 08 was basically the same as the trend from 04 to 08
Are you comparing swing and trend, or US swing 2004-2008 vs. NC swing 2000-2008?
Has everybody forgotten North Carolina had the largest non-Hispanic White population growth of any state in the country between 2000 and 2010? Buncha liberals were bringing their political opinions with them.
Hadn't heard that. Do you have a link?
My long-term concern is that liberals will stop moving here as much because of the ultra-right wing legislature.
