The Good, The Bad and The Ugly for Kerry-Edwards

The Good: Nationwide, Edwards gives Kerry a six-point bounce. The Democrats now lead Bush-Cheney by 50% to 45% among likely voters, with independent candidate Ralph Nader at 2%. Three weeks earlier, before Kerry announced his vice presidential choice, Bush led Kerry by a single point.

The Bad: President Bush and Vice President Cheney hold a commanding 54%-39% lead among likely voters in North Carolina. The lead narrows to 49%-43% among registered voters.

The Ugly: Matthew Dowd, chief strategist for the Bush campaign, says the findings indicate that the Tar Heel state remains safely Republican in the presidential election. Bush demolished Al Gore by 13 points there in 2000. The state hasn't voted for the Democratic contender since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Here is the entire article.

My take on this? It's still early and lots could change. But this is North Carolina. In spite of the fact that Greensboro is a "Liberal Mecca," this is going to be a tough state to crack for Kerry-Edwards.