NORTH CAROLINA

October 12, 1998
	In a race where the Republican challenger campaigned hard to tie the Democratic incumbent to the problems of President Clinton, the tactic appears not to have worked. Democrat Bob Etheridge coasted to a 15-point victory over his opponent in Tuesday's election.

Online NewsHour Special Report: Election '98 Nov. 2, 1998: North Carolina State professor Michael Dimock analyzes the race on election eve. Oct. 26, 1998: Professor Michael Dimock on why Rep. Bob Etheridge is a difficult man to tar. Oct. 19, 1998: NC State professor Michael Dimock on the impact of President Clinton's problems. Oct. 10, 1998: NC State professor Michael Dimock reports on this year's campaign landscape. Oct. 4, 1998: Jeffrey Kaye reports on the North Carolina race     U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Bob Etheridge's Web Site at the House. The Raleigh News & Observer.	Political diversity runs high in North Carolina's second district.
	A conservative district.
	Historically known as a Democratic region, the district elected David Funderburk, a Republican, to Congress in 1994. It was the first time this century a Democrat had lost the seat. But the Republican's victory was short-lived when voters elected to oust Funderburk in 1996 for Democrat Bob Etheridge by a vote of 56-43 percent. Although Funderburk was the only Republican incumbent to lose that year, the district still went to Republican Bob Dole. Republican Dan Page is hoping that in 1998 President Clinton's inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky will cause this socially conservative district to dump Etheridge. Page has already started running ads accusing Bob Etheridge of endorsing President Clinton and his behavior. Etheridge has countered by voting for the Republican impeachment inquiry. Republican Dan Page One of the major contributing factors to the second district's changing political landscape is the state's latest round of redistricting. Currently, North Carolina's second district encompasses most of the city of Raleigh, and Sampson, Johnston and Harnett Counties. Before its 1997 redistricting, it also encompassed the substantially Democratic city of Durham. Consequently, the district has become more rural, with many tobacco farms, and more conservative. But the district is also home to several universities, such as Norh Carolina State and Duke, which adds a more liberal slant to the area's politics. Michael A. Dimock, professor of Political Science at North Carolina State, gives his views of how the race is shaping up.