NBC: Obama apparent winner in N.C.

NEW YORK — President-elect Obama is the apparent winner in North Carolina, a symbolic triumph in a state that hadn't voted for a Democrat in more than a generation.

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Until today the ballot count in North Carolina was still too close for a call. An "apparent winner" call by NBC News means enough votes have now been tallied to indicate that a candidate has won the race, but the results may well depend upon a potential recount or final official tallies.

The Associated Press also declared Obama the winner Thursday after canvassing counties in North Carolina to determine the number of outstanding provisional ballots.

That AP survey found that there are not enough remaining ballots for Republican John McCain to close a 13,693-vote deficit.

North Carolina's 15 electoral votes brings Obama's total to 364 — nearly 100 more than necessary to win the White House. Missouri is the only state that remains too close to call.

Obama's win in North Carolina was the first for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976.