Otterblog

I’ve gone back and looked at my political entries for the last four months and all I can say is --- I blew it. The idea of North Carolina being the keys to the kingdom, the last dance/waltz/chance, the Alamo, the dagger through the heart, our finest hour (your metaphor goes here.) ... was preposterous. But here we are. Two weeks from a primary that is crucial to both candidates. It’s silly to suggest that at this stage of the game that the whole campaign comes down to Murphy to Manteo, or is it Murphy vs. Manteo. But North Carolina’s mix of urban/rural, black/white/brown, lunch bucket and lab coat, etc. is a true proving ground for Sens. Clinton and Obama.

Journalistically, it’s incredibly energizing for our newsroom, if somewhat exhausting. The reason is simple: We matter. Yes, candidates can take to the airwaves, and they have blogs and email blasts and Web sites to reach their core supporters and the like, but you will see in the next two weeks a courtship of the NC print press that you haven’t seen in years. My sense in Iowa and New Hampshire is that the candidates are working two crowds. First and most important are the local reporters, whose customers will vote. But second are the national press, whose stories define the race and help drive fundraising. Of course, you’ll see that here as well. But the national dynamics are largely set. Now, it’s all about the votes here. My guess is that you have to go all the way back to 1976, when Jesse Helms resuscitated Ronald Reagan’s campaign in the NC primary to find a time when our primary vote was ultimately so consequential.

Down the road: A heads up of sorts. This Sunday, we will be starting—in print and online—a special five-part series on the killings at the Christmas Tree Farm in Grayson County in January. It’s the work of many outstanding folks on our team, principally Monte Mitchell, our NW reporter. I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think. It is a heckuva tale.

Jim Crawley, whose byline was a regular feature of our Washington coverage when he covered the military for Media General, died last night. He was 51. Jim was a class act. Smart. Connected. Passionate. Helpful. A journalist’s journalist. And a friend.