The Hill is reporting a potential primary challenge to Larry Kissell in NC-8 by Rick Glazier. I'd heard rumblings about this earlier this year, and was disappointed to see the possibility is still alive. I've heard good things about Glazier in general, but I have to say, this pretty much annoys the hell out of me.
Glazier's not quoted in this article . . . the only on-the-record source for the story is Jerry Meek, who does the talking for Glazier. Jerry should have told the reporter to contact Glazier directly to find out about his plans. His go-betweening in this article is unseemly to my mind.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek said Glazier is “seriously thinking about” a bid. “He will almost certainly not make a decision until toward the end of the legislative session, which will probably run another month or so,” Meek said. “He just has been focused on the legislature right now.”
Comments
Sheesh, that's pretty weak Meek
But the D-tripper quote is quite good.
And Meek does bring up the rear.
Though I agree with you Anglico. Why is Meek talking at all? Larry and Rick at least seem to know how to screen calls.
I have heard
great things about Glazier's work in the legislature.
Having said that, Larry is a great candidate, the perfect fit for the district, and he is starting 20-30 points ahead on name id of where anyone else is. So, if someone else thinks they can catch up from the 18 month, and well over a million in press (if you count mass media articles) head start that Larry has, then I say feel free.
No one thought Larry was gonna win the primary and no one thought he would give Hayes a run, and yet people still sleep on his ability. At their own peril I should add.
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
Is Meek encouraging Glazier????
Sure sounds like it? Is there ever any end to our party trying to screw up a good thing??? What has Jerry got against Larry????
They're both lawyers from Planet Cumberland
Sound familiar? That probably explains most of it, beyond the obvious presswhoreishness (just made up a word!). Nevermind the record unemployment everywhere else in the District between the gravitational pull of the screaming proton ego centers circling our nucleaus.
I'm sure Larry's use to the state party not helping, but screwing him? Guess they didn't get the memo from national.
Hey Jerry Meek
If you are reading this - GET A CLUE. We've already got our candidate in the 8th District. His name is Larry Kissell. He's a hell of a candidate who almost won in 2006 with no help from DC and precious little help from the NC party establishment not named David Price or Brad Miller.
The state party needs to work on finding someone to run for all 170 seats of the General Assembly and stop giving 50 or so GOP nutballs a free ticket to Raleigh.
mistake
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,
Sorry Jerry
I know you've got to remain neutral if a primary occurs, and I know that you personally spent a lot of time working for Larry. I'm still a bit frustrated that Larry didn't appear to receive the same level of support and big dollar fundraisers that Heath got in 2006. And that the State Senate is not acting like it is controlled by Democrats.
Not to mention the law . . .
Perhaps federal law is an inconvenient consideration to you. But, once Charles Taylor kicked a bunch of his own personal money into the race, the "Millionaire's Rule" kicked in . . . that's a specific provision in McCain-Feingold which states that once a candidate kicks in enough of his own personal money, the State Party can spend a virtually unlimited money on behalf of his/her opponent. That's what we did in the Heath Shuler race. Robin Hayes never kicked in enough of his own money to trick this limit. Because of that, we were restricted to 41(a)(d) authority, which we maxed out on.
I'm sorry, but there's a lot more to all of this than you -- and others -- are considering.
Nice.
I've been out of touch Jerry, but this all seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.
One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Unbelievable
Hmmm . . . . The press calls me and asks me if Rick Glazier is considering a run. Should I lie to them? I don't lie.
RANT, I don't know if I know you, but you obviously are misinformed when you state that the State Party didn't help Larry. We bought up every last remaining minute of radio time and maxed out on our 41(a)(d) authority -- do a little research, for a change . . . that refers to the maximum amount of money that we can spend on a congressional race.
And, yes, I am from Cumberland County and Rick was my State Representative when I lived there. He's a good guy. And he's a great state representative. And, if you do some research -- which you're obviously not into -- you'll discover that I contributed to Larry recently.
Really, y'all. This over-reaction stuff is really annoying. And, Anglico, I find it interesting that you didn't mention the final paragraph of The Hill story. I think your post was unfair.
BTW, I'm sorry if this post sounds aggressive. It hasn't been a good day. Actually, it's been really tough. But I really appreciate all of you. Y'all are awesome.
Glad you are supporting Larry. It just didn't sound like it
What did the last paragraph say?
Sounds like you talk to Glaiser. Are you trying to get him to leave the field clear? Please start if you aren't already. Anglico was right you did sound like you were the spokesman.
Sorry you have had a bad day. Those reporters can be awful.
Go Larry!
BTW, I'm sorry if this post sounds aggressive. It hasn't been a good day. Actually, it's been really tough. But I really appreciate all of you. Y'all are awesome.* JM
Just don't do it again!!!!!!!!! If not for A and Blue NC, you would be still trying promote Tim Dunn with the legal estabishment. The enemy is Art Pope and the Republican idiots, not Democrats.......
Whatever
The State Party is neutral in primaries. Thanks for attacking me on Tim Dunn. You obviously don't know the facts.
Whoever?
Whatever
The State Party is neutral in primaries. Thanks for attacking me on Tim Dunn. You obviously don't know the facts.* Jerry
Sometimes Jerry! Do you think we just got off the Tobbaco truck in Fayetteville.? I have seen you play with the facts before, and it was a not fact, but an politicial opinion. You got sucker punch by the establishment mainstream media like Heath with the Art Pope gang.
Now get your butte out there and pound Hayes with Larry.
what's the big deal?
Just a few quick responses to this crazy thread:
Jerry IS a spokesman. For the NCDP. Nothing wrong with that.
Rick Glazier is a champ -- always doing the right thing, and in a district where it's not always safe and easy. We couldn't ask for a better guy.
Larry Kissell is fantastic. I was at Anglico's fundraiser a few weeks back. He's going to win this time.
It's not the party's role to discourage people from running. As someone else wrote, it's technically off-limits to take sides in a primary -- although I'm sure it happens at times and I bet it's not off-limits to encourage or discourage people from entering a primary.
I personally hope Rick doesn't run, from a strategic perspective, but it's his call. And I actually think primaries are good. It's little d democracy. On a side note, a friend of mine who worked on Jon Tester's Senate race told me he thought the primary saved them, because it gave Tester a taste of how hard he was going to have to fight to win. Anyway, you can't have it both ways -- it's easy to rail against primary challenges when you feel protective of the incumbent (or heir apparent), but do you really want to let Shuler, Lieberman and folks like that go without a primary challenge?
Last but not least: Jerry's doing a fantastic job -- often thankless -- and let's remember he's not getting paid for it. Jerry, if you're still up and reading this, thank you!
Feel like you're spinning your wheels?
Get some Traction... turning energy into progressive movement
Thanks
Thanks, Lanya. I'm still up. Having a little trouble sleeping. :)
It was great to chat with you today. Keep up the great work. You're awesome!
Go to sleep man..
We don't need a state chair with sleep deprivation and a nervous breakdown.
As far as that 8th district primary is concerned, let them run..we all know who's going to win the primary anyway.
If someone wants to flush some of their money down the drain by running against Kissell, it's a free country.
Left on 49
Cabarrus Democrats
You go, Jerry
Yeah, you sound pissed. But those comments pissed me off, too. Not that I haven't ranted against someone only to find out I was misinformed. So, whattya say, guys. Apology time?
Maybe you aren't aware of this but every party officer in this state has an obligation (according to the plan of organization) to remain impartial in the primary.
You may know from my earlier post that I will soon no longer have a dog in this hunt, but I do have some emotional attachment. (My husband works for Jerry for about one more week.)
But even without the connection, don't y'all think Jerry has earned a lot more respect than you've given him here? I think he's done enough and shown enough integrity over the years to earn the benefit of the doubt. RANT and James and Todd, suck it up and make nice.
And aside from the topic, why are ALL of you so angry tonight? Why are you letting one article by someone you probably don't know so easily influence your opinion of someone? (At least, you, Jerry admitted you'd had bad day so I'll forgive you for not rising above the vitriolic comments.) But to the rest of you, for God's sake, why weren't you more inclined to assume there might be another side to the story?
Come on. We all want Larry to win and if we don't destroy each other, he will. Something else is going on here. I'm tempted to ask about your hormonal cycles but I won't because everyone knows I'm opposed to sexism of any kind.
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,
Wrong, DQ
Jerry just lost my respect.(Not that he cares) Acting as Rick Glazier's spokesman is not remaining neutral. Not at all. Jerry owes the apology.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
You need to tone it down a little
You do Larry no favors by popping off like that. I think you owe Jerry an apology for both of your ridiculous comments. And before you think I'm Jerry Meek's yes man coming in to support him, I'm not. Ask Jerry how many times we agree.
What you are seeing here is the fatal flaw in the heroic story of the Democratic Party - a willingness to eat our own and a cadre of nutballs who pick one issue and demand perfection on it, to the point that they are willing to trash the reputations, campaigns and work of other good Democrats just because they disagree. I wonder - have I seen you at Wake County Democratic Party meetings? Because your m.o. is familiar.
Jerry's job is to talk to the press. The guy asked him a question. He answered it. If Rick Glazier makes the unfortunate decision to challenge Larry Kissell, then Jerry Meek has to remain neutral in a primary. It would be unseemly for Jerry to have publicly discouraged a Democratic officeholder from running for a higher office. That's just a fact, no matter how uncomfortable the prospect of a challenge makes you, personally.
Larry Kissell is a heck of a candidate. Somehow, I think he probably doesn't appreciate seeing you on this site oozing fear of a primary challenge and burning bridges with the state party. Larry's a big boy, he can handle himself.
Now apologize, dust yourself off, and let's go beat Republicans.
"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire
No apology coming from me
First and foremost, where the heck did this come from?
Where, where in the two comments I've made - please tell me WHERE I trashed anyone's reputation, campaign or good work? Did I say one bad thing about Rick Glazier? Love the way you make your argument by totally making stuff up. Oh, and what m.o.? I've made two comments on this thread. Jerry stepped over the line and I called him on it. What m.o.? Come on. I want you to expound on this. You're implying something here and I think you need to just come out with it.
Jerry's job is to remain neutral. Talking about a candidacy for someone who hasn't filed with the FEC - discussing this person's busy schedule and the timing of a decision is NOT Jerry's job. Jerry's job might be talking with the press, but there are limits to what he can and should say. He exceeded those limits in my opinion - and apparently I'm not alone.
I'm not asking Jerry to discourage anyone. I don't know how you are reading that into anything that I've said. I guess you can't make your argument without putting words into my mouth, though.
Also, I'm not sure what makes you think I'm worried about a challenge for Larry. That's just plain assinine. Once again, love the way you make your argument by just making stuff up. This appears to be a habit of yours. You obviously don't know me that well.
Now, dust yourself off, stop acting like you know everybody and everything and go fight Republicans.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Betsy
You're not allowed to impugn someone's integrity as you impugned Jerry's and then, when called upon it, retreat and claim you didn't. That's a little difficult when it is in writing on the web. Saying Jerry acted as the spokesman of a potential candidate is impuging his integrity as chairman of the party. Saying he doesn't "give a rat's ass about propriety" is impugning is integrity as a person. Both statements are flat wrong and inappropriate.
This entire post, and to some extent I may have tarred you with the comments of those who you have agreed with on here, such as Anglico and RANT, is premised on the idea that Jerry is somehow subverting Larry Kissell. That's just wrong and not true.
My point about Democrats eating their own is, I think, evident for anyone who spends 10 minutes in our party. Your two comments, in which you did in fact impugn the integrity of the Chairman, and those comments posted by others in this thread, are textbook examples of how fast Democrats are willing to turn on other Democrats, especially Democrats who win elections. That was the genesis of my (admittedly) snide comment.
Was Larry treated fairly last election? No. Was that Jerry's fault? I have no idea. I reckon you probably don't either.
Thanks for the personal attacks by the way. Nice.
"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire
Don't play the victim
You impugned my character first. Just returning the favor.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
did not! did too!
Is it story time yet?
"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire
DFL
Usually a spokesperson talks about a candidate's busy schedule and their intentions...as well as providing other duties. If it is impugning Jerry's character to say that he provided this service for Rick Glazier...um...then Jerry shouldn't have provided the service. It wasn't impugning his character to point out Jerry's actions.
Jerry is not an amateur at dealing with the press. Please don't impugn his character by implying that he doesn't choose his words carefully which would imply he isn't good at his job.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Betsy, I didn't ask for an apology from you.
At the time you hadn't weighed in yet. And your comments are very interesting.
Just think the tone here is a bit intense when you consider the big picture.
I knew you'd be defensive of Larry and I want you to. I want all the people who helped Larry to defend him like a pitbull!
And I want Jerry to be as fair and as impartial as he can be.
I want my leaders to handle criticism with respect. I expect bloggers to apologize when they're inaccurate and when their attitudes don't match the facts. If I have jumped to conclusion that James has misunderstood the situation when he hasn't, then I apologize to James. But I don't have time to read it all closely.
Hope you all work this out without damaging relationships beyond repair.
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,
You didn't ask for one
DFL did. I'da been nicer to you 'cause ur spayshul. :)
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Jerry, are there limits?
Do you feel compelled to answer every question asked by the press? At some point, don't you think it would be more neutral to refer the press to the proposed candidate instead of talking about his busy schedule and the timing of an announcement that may or may not ever come?
See, your problem is that you typically handle things brilliantly. Rarely, do you say something that isn't measured and intentional. It's very hard for me to buy that you were just answering a question because the press called and asked it.
I don't doubt that Rick is a wonderful person. I know you're a wonderful person, but I think you made a mistake on this one.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
thank you
That was much nicer.
"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire
What's wrong with lawyers
and what's wrong with Cumberland County? I guess you have never needed a lawyer. Are you trying to alienate everybody from Cumberland County, all lawyers or both? Remember, Brad Miller is a lawyer AND he is from Cumberland County. He also SUPPORTS Larry and is a friend of Rick's.
Lovex7
Nothing is wrong with lawyers
(OK...with a dad and brother both lawyers I actually could expound on this...hehe) There's also nothing wrong with Cumberland Co, but the party did let Larry down. They offered no support and even after Tim Dunn dropped out of the race there were groups that went out of the way to make it difficult for Larry. Many have admitted it and are coming forward to help now. There obviously is some bitterness that still lingers, though. Sorry if the comment by RANT bothered you....I know he didn't mean for it to. Cumberland Co. Dem Party put up hurdles last cycle. I know of one that was even reported in the newspaper. Hopefully, this cycle will be better after a primary - if there is one.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
I guess I don't know
what goes on and maybe I am better off not knowing who to be mad at.
Lovex7
Would it be appropriate?
Would it be appropriate to mention that two of the people attacking me in this thread are actually paid members of the Kissell campaign?
No, it wouldn't be appropriate.
...but after you stepped outside your job description to act as Rick Glazier's spokesman, I don't get the impression that you give a rat's ass about propriety.
Just sayin'.....
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
This is fun, I'm sorry I missed it.
Actually, I think it would be VERY proper to mention that the people who are upset are paid Kissell staffers. That's pretty much astroturfing, the same crap we caught the Moore campaign doing - correct? The same thing that gets slammed when caught onn DK and MyDD and other places.
So, yes, I think it is appropriate. Actually, don't we have a rule about that....
One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
No we don't have a rule about that
but we do have a rule about outing people and that gets you IP banned. He's dangerously close to that.
edit to include this - the two people he's talking about have been here about as long as Jerry has. They are blogging/commenting pseudonymously just like a lot of people around here. They did not sign up with the express intent of disagreeing with Jerry and then leaving. They did not create new IDs in order to respond to Jerry. They have always openly supported Larry Kissell. While a lot of people prefer to know when someone is a paid staffer of a campaign, there are no rules anywhere that require it as far as I know. Also, last I checked they weren't paid staffers any more than I am. Last I checked they were volunteers.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Excuse me, I'm from Cumberland County too.
Rick Glazier has a wonderful reputation here and he has earned it. We don't need to trash each other over two great people. Having said that, I am still for Larry. If Rick were running instead of Larry, I'd be for Rick. The entire NC Democratic congressional delegation is behind Larry. On top of all that, how would you like to have Jerry's job? No wonder he can't sleep. Let's all just cool it.
Lovex7
Rick had his chance
Rick had his chance to run but backed out for Dunn in the last primary. Everyone should support Kissell. But do not forget the vote count in Cumberland County. A lot of talk about Cumberland not supporting Kissell to give Rick a chance. All rumor but we shall see if it comes true.
Not quite right
Rep. Glazier didn't "back out" for Dunn. He backed out of a race against a DCCC "chosen one" after he thought he had their support. That ain't a chance by any stretch of the imagination.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
Different Situation, and you know it
Last time, he was being courted, but not totally in or out ... and there wasn't a change of support status. He got screwed over that time; he hasn't been screwed over this time.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
surveyor says
Surveyor says "Rick had his chance", which really isn't much of a point. Since when do politicians get one chance for higher service? (And, if he yields to Kissell, I imagine folks next round would then say that he had his chance twice! And while we're talking about candidates chances -- didn't Kissell use up his?) It can get pretty confusing when we're just assigning candidates arbitrary chances...
And I liked Kissell just fine in the last round, but some of the Kissell fans on these threads are a pretty big turn off... Yall are pretty much like Clemson fans -- I've got nothing against the school, but the fans just drive me nuts. Please realize (especially if you're a paid staffer) that your actions influence how the rest of us perceive your candidate.
I'm Glad I Missed This
I hope ya'll put this down and find someone to run against Liddy the Carpetbagger.
Don't make me put a write in vote for my cat ...
Wow.
People fighting over who is going to run in the 8th, and we can't scare up a candidate in the 6th.
Sucks. Maybe one of them should move one county over. Moore County is beautiful, you know. . .
Yeah -
And how about those redheaded step children over here in Johnston...
We sure could use the fresh air over here.
This is just an analogy,
but let's say I know a guy :) who manages a few divisions in a factory, and those divisions are actually making a profit compared to some who don't. When upper management decided to try to squeeze as much profit as possible out of those instead of focusing on the ones who were draining resources, all profits started to drop.
End of analogy.
Are these the signs
Are these the signs of growing pains for a growing party?
Unlike let’s say, the death throes of one in trouble, like Ann Coulter?
Piece of advice? Take or leave it. Those in control of their emotions rule the day.
You know - no one pulled this quote from the article.
It might have made a difference.
I won't judge Jerry Meek - he's got a hard job that I wouldn't want. If he says he's going to remain neutral, I'll take his word.
All of us should realize that words can be twisted however a writer wants them to be twisted, and quotes can be taken out of context. The writer for The Hill may have very well done that, and then the knee-jerk reaction here certainly speaks volumes about how passionate we all are about our candidates.
As I said in the other thread
People started judging Jerry and astroturfing against him before they got the story - they probably couldn't reach Glazier, and it's not like he has a full time press guy right now. And if Jerry doesn't comment, they can twist it another way.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
hmmmmmm
apparently he does have a full-time press person.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
LAs do a lot more than press communications
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
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