Jerry Meek's request for ideas about candidates to take on our very senior senator in 2008 got covered today by the News and Observer. Also included was a sidebar excerpting some of the comments he got in response. Such stories often bring new people to our site - and if you're one of them, welcome!
BlueNC is a no-holds-barred online community focused on progressive politics in North Carolina. Content is generated by community members and if you spend anytime here at all, you'll quickly discover we don't all agree about everything.
(More below the fold . . . )
But one thing many of us DO agree on is a comment made by Republican consultant Mark Stephens in the N&O article.
"Regarding [Meek's] concern about whether Elizabeth Dole is going to run or not, she is going to run and never thought otherwise. She will take on all comers. America is a great country."
America is indeed a great country, despite the enormous damage done by Senator Dole and the Party of Greed in Washington over the past few years.
We hope she runs too.
Comments
Please, Please, Please let her run.
Don't retire Liddy, we need you so we can keep control of the Senate.
CountryCrats - my thoughts, my blog.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
True,
what Rob C. wrote,
But then again, NC-11 hadn't had a Democratic Congressman since when? Anybody see Shuler coming two years ago?
[Had to update ... note to self ... check what you think you know before you spout off. My bad. :(]
[More update: Being a registered Democratic woman who voted for Dole in 2002 (I have already beat myself up for this, more abuse is unnecessary, I promise), I'm gonna take an unscientific shot in the dark and guess that Liddy is NOT going to get that group of voters next time around.]
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
I know a bunch of women who voted for Dole
because of her gender. And my instinct is usually to support women candidates myself.
But now that she's demonstrated her supreme lack of interest in North Carolina, I'm guessing lots of people will have trouble voting for her again.
If I were her, I'd spend the next two years on the ground here in NC, doing all the stuff she hasn't done for the past four years. Problem is, she won't do that. The only reason she cares about North Carolina is because it gives her a big national stage to play on. Sort of like when she was a figurehead for the Red Cross.
I'm sure she's a nice lady and all, but that's not what's at stake here. She's been a willing accomplice in the Decline and Fall of America's Moral Standing in the World. She's voted for what's good for the Party of Greed instead of what's good for America. And last Tuesday, America said, "Enough."
1988
Was the last year a Democrat won the 11th Jamie Clark won the seat in 1982 lost it in 1984 won it back in 1986 held it in 1988 then lost it again to Taylor in 1900.
A Moderate Historian!
Exactly what we need around these parts. Seriously.
Thanks for stopping by, hope you'll come back often. We're making this up as we go and people with institutional memory (or great Google skills!) could really help move things to the next level.
Cheers!
Just realized this may have sounded sarcastic.
Didn't mean to at all.
Up at Kos
here and soon at Booman.
Booman Tribune
Here you go.
The corporate media may be feeling left out
Jerry didn't ask the N&O who he ought to recruit. He came to the netroots to seek our ideas (and stroke our egos).
It's interesting. The Asheville Citizen-Times had an editorial up asking for reader input and stating their commitment to utilizing "citizen journalism" (primarily blogs of course) for news and information. The Washington Post is transforming as well.
The mainstream/corporate/legacy media is starting to realize how much has been going on right under their noses. Good. Welcome to our cyberworld. Make yourselves at home, and don't make a mess of things.
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
Transparency.
I was talking with a senior elected official this week about the chaotic, transparent nature of the blogosphere. My advice: don't just get used to it, embrace it.
For better or worse (I think better) the citizen involvement in politics is only going to grow as blogs go mainstream. Campaigns that figure out how to use blogs effectively will be ahead of those that don't.
For an old-guard politician, this could be some scary stuff. Those guys and gals aren't used to being called out by some college kid named Whoodat or challenged by a guy in the mountains named Screwy Hoolie.
But they'd better get used to it because freedom is on the march, so to speak, and we're all living in glass houses now.
This is good.
Huzzah!
Ok, that is genius.
I see so many folks cringe when I mention "blog" to them. They believe it is a tidal wave of angry, ill-informed people. I had one person sum up the entire blogosphere as nothing more than "a bunch of Rush Limbaughs that can write."
There are legions of Screwy Hoolies out there and they are usually more on top of an issue than our friends in the MSM. Hell, Liddy Dole could pop up in Dobson any day now. How do you explain that to someone who doesn't get blogs because they refuse to use them?
I have not bought a copy of the N&O in years. Nor have I read it in years unless it was a link that popped up in Google News.
Now once we get the population and the MSM to embrace blogs, then we can go to work on "feeds."
;-)
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Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!
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Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!
Actually that article does show how much blogs are worth
Instead of RC getting the scoop straight from Jerry "I Ain't" Meek, he noticed what was going on here. A still taboo area when it comes to politicians. Just look at our boy Vernon Robinson. However a place where even "respected" media outlets get their information.
Honestly my first thought was, "hey RC, go get your own sources." But after thinking it over, it reaffirms the importance and value of blogs in this new era of communication. I'll be waiting for the Anglico/Screwy/Leslie H guest columns in the N&O next.
Welcome to the Blue!
Our children need to know that some people fought back, when others collaborated.
Our children need to know that some people fought back, when others collaborated.
from 12A
Charlie Rose- senators need national clout, and I'm sure he'd draw in enough funds even if he ran on his own. I don't know if he wants to.
Otherwise Beverely Purdue
Charlie Rose.
Interesting idea. I don't know of any thinking person who doesn't like Charlie Rose.
Hello Not Telling
Nice to see another new face and a commenter too!
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Charlie has an
impressive NC based resume, too.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
But the comments selected
Following the comments string in the original post, I thought that the bulk of the comments selected were taken from the thought provoking selections rather than the "this is the frontrunner now" category. And there were many voices of support for obvious front-runners like Hunt and Perdue and Moore, but there was also the few choices that were more thought provoking than serious and they ended up being the ones that were put up without context.
Anyway I loved the article and do not want to seem like I am complaining too much. Just saying.
Well
Anyone could come up with Perdue or Moore. And Easley/Hunt arent exactly darkhorses. So I was happy they highlighted the fact that we are thinking outside the box. Besides, if it lacks context it might draw more people in because they will want that context.
HelpLarry.com
"Keep the Faith"
Jerry embraces the grassroots
I had lunch with Jerry today (ok it was at a democratic lunch forum), and we discussed his posting and request on the blog. He truely belives in pople powered politic. he asked if I had herd James Carvile's remarks about removing Dean as DNC Chair. We discussed this and he assured me that all of the state party chairs and vice chairs he know will be back to the hilt. JC is just pissing in the wind. On the '08 front he told me. He has spoken to many of the people listed in the comments to his post. Here is where we stand.
Jim Hunt, Beverly Perdue, Richard Moore, Mike Easly, and Elaine Marshal have all said no. Also, both Richard Moore and Beverly Perdue are running for Governor both have deep pockets to self finance their campaigns so, expect it to get down dirty and really ugly.
If she dosen't run you can expect a lardge primary field, according to Jerry if Dole doesn't run, then Brad Miller, David Price, and Mike McIntyer to go after her seat.
One last note on Dole, I have been told by someone working closely with congression candidates that Dole won't be running no matter what we hear in the news; she is not well and will have to step down for health reason. This maybe just gossip but I do trust this source.
Why not run anyway? + Price please run...
Why not run even if Dole does? She's definitely vulnerable for "What have you done for NC recently?" reasons... Most folks I talk to can't name one achievement, other than embarrassing herself during the election, she's responsible for....
Selfishly I'd like to see Price run because it would open a spot in the freakish Dem pecking order we have in our district - a reshuffling that might encourage some new local vibrancy...
CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class
CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class
David Price
I could really get behind a Price for Senate campaign and I do not think we'd lose his Congressional seat to Repubs since his district is fairly progressive (he won by a landslide). I think the same applies to Brad Miller but I think Price has a better chance of winning a Senate seat.
Expect a statement from Mr
Expect a statement from Mr Meeks soon supporting Deans 50 state strategy and how it has helped us here in the great state of NC.
I may not always agree with Mr Meeks but he is by far the best Chair the NCDP has had in a long time
late dark horse entry
Robert Johnson, founder of BET and owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and new Chairman of RLJ. He could self fund and win the suburbs and exurbs with a moderate pro-business message.
To make it historically even more significant, the first African American U.S. Senator (Hiram Rhodes Revels) was born in NC and moved to Mississippi. Robert Johnson was born in Mississippi and moved to NC.
He has experience as a press secretary for a congressional delegate and as a lobbyist.
Front page
Yesterday was one of the few days I did't read my hard copy of the News & Observer before 7am so imagine my surprise to return home in the evening to see that this story was on the front page (final edition). Kos, N&O, what next?
Um....what Next?
Looks like it is MyDD.....
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.