mike easley=the roy barnes of 2004?

[WalterMitty]

the incumbent that cant be beat?  the shining star of southern democrats?  the incumbent that will coast to reeelcection while setting his sights on national office?

well, we all know how it turned out for barnes.  and i sense a little arrogance and complacency in the easley camp.

ballantine is going to be a tough challenger.  the easley people better wake up.  

[WalterMitty]

if ballantine wasnt so underfunded, hed be a serious competitor.

easley must campaign.  he cant rely on just tv ads this time.  ballantine is out-hustling him on the campaign trail and making inroads with voters (particularly in the east)

easley isnt as popular as the media claims.  his tax increases were very unpopular.  his popularity has rebounded since the dark day of 01/02,  but he has lukewarm support.  jim hunt was a popular governor. and...well... mike easley is no jim hunt.

i voted for easley in 2000.  ive decided to vote for ballantine this time around.  im confident ballantine has the ability to get more former easley voters like myself.