Race to Washington

Obama praying for rain?

I’ve been saying for the past week that early voting will be remembered as a critical factor in this election. After visiting North Carolina, I am convinced of that.

That state is too close to call in the polls but when you look at the numbers who have already voted – more than four of ten registered voters - you see good news for Obama.

In fact, as the following story from North Carolina’s biggest newspaper reveals, the outcome of the battle in the state could come down to the weather. If rain discourages people from turning out then John McCain will be in trouble.

But one caveat to all this good news for Obama: he doesn’t seem to be attracting the wave of increased youth support that many people (including myself, I have to say) had been predicting, at least not in early voting. Numbers are up a little, but not by the levels of other groups like African-Americans or Latinos.

Perhaps the young voter is waiting for the last moment to turn out. That’s what Obama’s people have got to be hoping.

For more on the US Election go to RTE.ie/uselection

Posted at 10:38AM Nov 04, 2008