As little as a month or two ago, the idea that a Democrat could carry North Carolina was near-laughable. But with polls now giving Barack Obama a slight edge in the Tarheel State, I'm wishing I'd placed a few bets on the prospect.

Pundits are crediting the state's high number of new registrations. It also has to do with Obama's organization. He has far more offices (some pretty remote ones, at that) in North Carolina than John McCain, whom until recently could regard the state as a given. Obama has three offices in Charlotte alone: Elizabeth, West Boulevard and University City.