VA wasn't a fluke, nor was North Carolina. North Carolina has moved very much into tossup category, and at this point Virginia is probably a lean Democratic state. The problem for the GOP, is the candidates that can get past a Primary, have very little appeal in the General. I think Huntsman is BY FAR the strongest GOP candidate in the General, but he has very little chance o winning a Primary.
VA and NC weren't flukes, but the results there are dramatically overstated relative to the overall trend.
VA is plainly a lean-R state, as is NC. They are growing more Democratic, but Obama as a candidate was a perfect storm for VA/NC politics. Recent results and polling are showing the tide wash back out and it will be difficult for Obama to hold both states.
