Political shift in the Carolinas as GOP surges post RNC, but that’s not the whole story, experts say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — There seems to have been a shift on the political front in the last few weeks, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by political scientists and strategists in the Carolinas.

With this week’s Republican National Convention, and the headlines surrounding it, the headlines have been objectively more positive for the GOP, compared with headlines surrounding what has been coming out of the Democratic Party.

However, Democratic strategists said that does not tell the full story of what is happening.

“They are our nominees until either one of them says otherwise,” said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright. “When you hear all this conversation, it’s on K Street, and when you hear it on our street or Main Street, it’s a totally different conversation.”

Seawright acknowledged the headlines since the Presidential debate have not been great for Democrats, but said that President Joe Biden still had more substance to his answers than former President Donald Trump.

“It was better than the former President because there were 19 or so lies,” said Seawright.

Dr. Susan Roberts, a political science professor at Davidson College, however, noted the reality of the current situation for Carolina voters.

“Trump leads in all seven of the swing states,” Roberts said. “And it’s not just the popular vote, it’s by Electoral College.”

Dr. Roberts said she has been examining the shifts in the electorate, some of which she said were expected, while others have become more telling.

Published reports have indicated top Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama, have asked Biden to reconsider his re-election bid.

“Even though everyone will say, ‘We love Joe Biden, Joe Biden is a decent man’, people are making the connection between election and governing, and people are thinking of it in the same breath,” said Roberts.

The current election forecast from Nexstar sister publication The Hill shows that former President Donald Trump has a 56% chance of winning the November election.

Seawright noted there is still time for those numbers to stabilize.

“This rollercoaster ride happens every two to four years when there’s an election,” said Seawright.  “It’s certainly a snapshot of the time, but not a reflection of the time.”

Queen City News reached out to other Democratic lawmakers and political party leaders for their reaction. The people that were contacted were either not available, or told us that “for now,” they had “no comment.”

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