As I mentioned on Friday, it seems like a good idea to make sure BlueNC is a fair and balanced forum for all comers. That's why I've invited John Autry to join us tonight. He'll be here with us starting around 6 pm for about an hour.
John is a native North Carolinian, born and raised here. He served in the Navy between 1972 and 1976. John has a good, solid website that does a far better job than I can in explaining who he is and what he stands for. Please check it out. His positions on various issues can be found here..
Knowing that many of you have strong feelings about the NC-8 contest, I hope you'll keep your questions respectful and focused on the thing that matters most: defeating Flipper Hayes.
Questions from the previous thread:
Why did you decide to run in the 8th.
Did you support Larry Kissell's run against Hayes in the last election, if so, how?
Please explain his positions on immigration rights, women's rights and gay rights.
Where do you stand on the FISA bill that proposes immunity for telecom companies?
Can you explain your position on this administration's intrusion on our civil liberties?
How do you differ from the current administration in terms of veterans affairs and issues?
Lots of good and tough questions . . . and they may not all get answered in an hour. As have other guests, I hope John will circle back over the next couple of days to pick up any strays.
Comments
I've got enough ugly right here in Moore Co
without having any primary that directly affects us (oh yeah - those two district 6 guys). Since April I've been serving as 2nd vice chair of the Party. Since April, I've been the target of a lot of ugly, and I've just decided that I will not accept ugly, from friends or enemies , or even acquaintances, anymore.
So all of y'all - be on notice. Go ahead and discuss the POLITICS of any race. You get ugly about a candidate or a poster or make assumptions about someone's motives, and I don't care who you are - I am going to call you on it. Because I recognize ugly when I see it.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
My Last Word on the Matter
I was merely giving my impression of what Betsy was doing and why John didn't respond to it. I stand by my assessment. I didn't advise John not to engage her, I was giving my take on it. [To respond to another comment you made; you might note that the questions John had prepared an answer to were questions that had been sent in before the open blogging started. If he hadn't taken the time to answer them before-hand, he might not have had time to answer the live ones. I don't think it is fair for you to fault him for that.]
I think John had a clear and straight up answer at the top of the thread. If the law says that undocumented immigrants working here should be deported, then it is clear he is saying he is opposed to that. Using the word "amnesty" or asking if he is "pro-amnesty" is an attempt to frame the issue in a certain way. It is the right-wing spin machine that has made this into an "amnesty" issue and some people have evidently bought into their spin. The intent it to portray the person as soft on law enforcement or wanting to give some people privileges over others.
Try putting what she asked into another context to understand my objection. If the issue were abortion and John had just made a statement about how he supported a woman's right to choose, how would you take someone asking if he was pro-abortion? Can you not see that a question like that might be loaded? Suppose the question was about offering social services to the unemployed and someone asked, "So does this mean you are for rewarding people for not working?" I think anyone reading someone asking a question like that can see the framing. I think it is the same kind of thing when someone tries to reduce this issue into a question about amnesty.
I think it is important not to buy into right-wing framing. In this specific case, if John wins, you might end up just giving more ammunition to Republicans once we get passed the primary.
Just to be clear as I can. I am not speaking for John. This is my personal assessment of what happened based on reading the exchange after the fact.
I'll let all those objecting to me have the last word, I don't have any more time to spend on this thread.
Thanks for the dismissal.
I had something to say, but I don't have any more time to spend on a reply.
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
Arrogant much?
I don't care if you have the last word. You may object to my use of the word amnesty all you like. That is what it is.
We could use the words, "free pass" if it suits you better. John can frame it any way he likes. I would like to know where he draws the line when it comes to letting people break laws and which laws it is OK for people to break. Or....you can answer for him. I noticed that where you saw that John's answer wasn't up to snuff, you jumped right in.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
I think he John did dismiss Betsy because he was uncomfortable..
with her direction. He may have felt that it was "leading".
Betsy framed her subject in a way which required an Unambigeous statement from John.
I did note where John addressed the issue in some detail, but not in response to Betsy I think.
If anyone is looking for a candidate who will satisfy every issue concern any individual may have, then chances are you will never find a candidate who will satisfy you.
On the other hand, candidates should be prepared for criticism from the very base who support him, or her. Criticism does not necessarily mean the person is not getting support. It actually should be taken by any candidate as an opportunity to learn and grow.
At times Betsy is critial indeed, but I have yet to see her exercise dishonest criticism. Infact, I expect her to hammer me sooner or later. (Love ya Betsy)
Marshall Adame
2014 U.S. Congress Candidate NC-03
Betsy wasn't ugly at all.
The one responding to her was. (Not John). I agree with your assessment. I think he came on with a prepared statement about gays, illegals, etc., and didn't want to have to talk beyond that. It's not like that on a live blog, nor is it like that on the campaign trail. I don't have a horse in this race - but Autry might want to think about speaking and typing spontaneously. :)
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
If I ever find anything to hammer you on......
I haven't found it yet, though. I'll have to look a little harder. (Read that as meaning....I will have to read your position and policy papers a fourth time.)
If John isn't ready to answer that question, he'd better get ready. If he equivocates when asked that as he's out and about in Stanly, Cabarrus, Richmond, Scotland or even Cumberland he will be immediately dismissed. A good number of the precincts in the 8th in Mecklenburg also have relatively conservative working class Dems who are against amnesty. I know because my mother shares many of those precincts in her city council district and we know the voters in these precincts.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Isn't Hoke part of that district as well?
It's going to be an important answer to have - and it will be important to have it well thought out, too.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Sure is.....Moore County used to be :( wish it still was
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Here's my answer
See how easy that was?
Me too.
But that's ok. I am getting my kicks working for other districts - until we have a viable candidate in NC-06, Since Larry and John seem to have all kinds of folks willing to pull for them, I'm gonna be concentrating on NC-03.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Hi John!
I discovered your candidacy for the 8th in 2006 and I have to say I really like where you stand on a lot of things. I'd even go so far to say that if I could've voted in the primary, I would've definitely voted for you (slightly too young to vote yet). Just a few questions...
If I recall, Jim Neal has said he's a Jim Hunt Democrat. What kind of Democrat would you say you are? Is there a North Carolina Democrat that you recognize with?
Do you know who you would endorse for the Democratic nomination for President?
What do you believe is THE issue that will decide the 2008 race for the 8th district?
FDR
FDR, John Edwards, John Autry.
I don’t think any one issue will be decisive. It will be the candidate who presents the best vision for the future of the 8th.
If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.
Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
Is this a live blog or did I misunderstand>?
Would love to read your thoughts and answers Mr. Autry.
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Progressive Discussions
Considering how close last year's election was,
will you be prepared to throw your weight behind the Democratic Primary winner, if you should fall short?
p.s. if you keep getting kicked off the website here, it's an Internet Explorer thing. Just try to be patient. It happens to me all the time. :(
Or better yet
Try Firefox.
Steve's right. High volume blogging at BlueNC doesn't work too well with IE. I should have explained that sooner. Sorry.
Certainly
Just as I did last year.
If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.
Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
Thanks. :) Next question:
What Committees would you (especially) like to be assigned to if given a choice?
Thanks for this question
Appropiations
Education and Labor
Energy and Commerce
Natural Resources
Veteran's Affairs
Agriculture
If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.
Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
Will be checking in
I have to start dinner for my family.
Welcome to any new visitors. Thank you for participating.
Thank you for being here, John.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Charlotte?
I've been having a hard time understanding Charlotte's general invisibility in the world of progressive politics. Some day when you're not being barraged with questions, I'd love to get your take on what's going on in the Queen City.
HAHAHA!
I'd love to get together with you.
If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.
Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
Probably something that shouldn't be discussed in public ;)
Wow. It's amazing how fast an hour can go by.
I'm not sure how long John can stick around, but just in case he has to check out, I want to officially thank him for joining us . . . I know we're a tough crowd . . . and wish him the best of luck in the upcoming campaign.
Please feel free to keep talking, but also be aware that John probably has a thousand things to do tonight . . . including lots of fundraising calls to make.
Cheers . . . and thanks again, John Autry!
Thanks all
I will have to log off for now. I'll check in tomorrow and respond to any new posts.
Thanks Anglico for this opportunity.
JA
If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.
Harriet Tubman (1822 – 1913)
Our pleasure.
Don't be shy about coming back over.
"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute
Actually
progressives have been really active in Charlotte....everything from environmental issues, to anti-war protests, to Call for Change parties! I have a list of progressive events in Charlotte that goes out each week to a big e-list, and it's really full of ways to get involved.
Look us up sometime !
Where are you?
Chapel Hill
Yep. I'm a liberal, commie.
Also..
don't forget tree hugger :-)
Left on 49
A great publication
Treehugger
One of my favorite memories of 2006
was being lost in Charlotte, driving around trying to find the right damn street, and coming across one lone man standing on a street corner holding a sign for peace. It gave me such hope. Especially since I was lost in that maze of concrete.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
John, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and spend
some time with us tonight. I have to run for awhile, but I am glad we got to know you a bit better and I want to wish you luck with your campaign. You truly seem to be a good progressive candidate, and we need more of those for sure.
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
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