DCCC Misses a Great Opportunity

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

The DCCC announced their second round of red to blue candidates today and it appears they failed to recognize one district that is blue and for the first time in a while is going to vote that way.

The DCCC left NC's 8th CD Democratic candidate off the list. Maybe they know something we don't. After watching them in Washington for the past couple of years I'm thinking that's just not true. We know this state. We know this district. And, we know Larry Kissell.

More below the fold...

The current list includes candidates we've seen on other lists. Many of them have already raised big money. For those of you who haven't seen it, here's the list:

Red to Blue Candidates

Mike Arcuri (NY-24)
Bruce Braley (IA-01)
Chris Carney (PA-10)
Joe Donnelly (IN-02)
Christine Jennings (FL-13)
Phil Kellam (VA-02)
Patrick Murphy (PA-08)
Joe Sestak (PA-07)
Zack Space (OH-18)
Linda Stender (NJ-07)
Mike Weaver (KY-02)
Patty Wetterling (MN-06)
Charlie Wilson (OH-06)

I'm sure these are all great candidates and I hope each of them wins their race. I can't help but think the DCCC would have added Larry to the list if they decided to look beyond their noses at what is really going on in the district.

Don't forget to give 'till it feels reeeaaalll good.

Comments

They are giving up on the South

Submitted by Todd on

Look at that list. One race in VA. One in KY. All the rest are in Yankee land. They don't have much faith in North Carolina's Progressive streak.

A while back

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

I witnessed an exchange at MyDD encouraging the party to give up on the "Southern Strategy". I didn't think they would, but it appears they did.



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Well, of course we don't need the DCCC...

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

but we could use their money! $$$$ :)



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

We sure could

Submitted by James on

but I'd take one pissed off Southern Dem over a ton of DCCC operatives any day.

Maybe John Edwards

Submitted by Todd on

will help fill the $$ gap. Is Robbins, NC in NC-08?

I don't think so

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

he should still give the maximum and if he has a PAC so should it.



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Robbins is Not in 8th

Submitted by momoaizo on

When the districts were last cut and pasted, the 8th surrounds Moore county, but not in it....we are in Howard Coble's 6th district!

Map Drawing

Submitted by Todd on

for redistricting has become a fine art. I wonder why Moore County is surrounded by NC-08 but ended up in NC-06.

Say No to DCCC funding

Submitted by TarGator on

With DCCC funding, they try to run the campaign. Every study shows that the incremental increases in funding do not do very much in terms of getting votes. What turns out to be more important is a good campaign. Kissell is running a good campaign, and I would take leaving the campaign in the hands of locals over DCCC funds any day.

Wow, Howie Klein at

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

Down with Tyranny has a post about Christine Jennings in Florida. Turns out they haven't had their primary yet and Rahm is meddling before the election.



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

DCCC is bad for NC-08

Submitted by Gordon Smith on

If the DCCC had a decent track record of winning elections, then maybe I'd be worried about this. The Kissell campaign may still be targeted by the DNC, by DFA, or by any number of national groups who can help with fundraising and messaging, but Larry Kissell's alread got a handle on what he needs to do to win.

Larry will need all of us raising money to help him do more of what he's already doing.

Rahm, I know Larry's not your kind of candidate, and I know that you've got some finite resources. But, if Hayes lies his way to victory, you will have helped to lose a seat by your unwillingness to see a winning district when it's right in front of your face.

Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us

I don't think the Kissell team

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

would have let them come in and take over. The money would have been nice, though. Or at least some public acknowledgement - something that would help Larry with his fundraising efforts.

That's OK, though. You're right, Screwy. The Kissell team will do it without the DCCC. I'm so happy Rahm is not staying on after November. Maybe we need to start looking at someone we think should crash the DCCC gate. Who would be a good strong money person?



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Kissell's need is just face time

Submitted by Yankee_Blue on

What the NC-8 campaign for Kissell needs is boots on the ground and checks from the little people in the box. Sure the DCCC would be an easy answer for all of this, atleast in the $$ aspect. but in relation to the campaigns soul and body, I 'd rather not see them have to conform to DCCC's rules of "victory" just for their dough.

I fully believe any progressive can win without the DCCC. And Kissel will prove that.

Heck Shuler, definitly not as progressive as some want, will do just the same.

Be just, and fear not.

Our children need to know that some people fought back, when others collaborated.

I think the challenge for Kissell

Submitted by Robert P. on

is to turn this into a Jerry Brown-esque campaign. Remember when he ran for president and said he would not take more than $100 from any individual? Well, yeah, okay, he lost!

But, I think Kissell needs to hit the pavement saying he wants to win this race 20 BUCKS at a time. Point out that Robin will rely on Big Oil, Big Pharm, Big Insurance, and Big MIC - but that Kissell relies on you.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Speaking of boots

Submitted by James on

Does anybody an official update from the campaign on how the ground game is shaping up?

No word from the campaign

Submitted by Betsy Muse on

Had lunch with Working for Change today and she hasn't heard much either. They are busy getting FEC filings prepared, etc.



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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.

Got this email from the Kissell camp today

Submitted by momoaizo on

Today Marks One Year Anniversary of the Most Infamous Political Flip-Flop in NC History

Economic and National Security Loom on Oman Vote
Kissell challenges Hayes Not to Buckle to the President Again

"Every time I drive through Kannapolis and I see those empty plants I know there is no way I could vote for CAFTA."

Congressman Robin Hayes

[AP 7/14/2005]

"What does CAFTA sound like? NAFTA.... It's not in the best interests of a core constituency I represent."

Congressman Robin Hayes

[Raleigh News and Observer, 7/14/2005]

BISCOE , N.C. – Larry Kissell, 27 year veteran of the local textile industry and Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 8th district, marked the anniversary of the most infamous political flip-flop in North Carolina history today.

"Today marks the one year anniversary of Robin Hayes' pledge to vote against CAFTA. A pledge he quickly flip-flopped on after the President asked him to change his vote. Robin Hayes folded under pressure from the President and we're paying the price back here in North Carolina. Hayes claims the President gave him concessions to help our local manufacturing and textile businesses, but the only concessions I'm seeing in the 8th district are the ones families make as they work to hold on to their homes and businesses in this tough economic time ," said Kissell.

"write Hayes an email letter....ask him if he's representing the citizens who elected him or if he is just another "rubberstamping" republican?" http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Today's anniversary comes just as the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote late next week on the trade pact with the Gulf Arab state of Oman. The Senate approved the deal last month 60-34.

In his June 26 message to Congress encouraging a vote for the trade deal, President Bush claimed "The FTA will benefit the people of the United States and Oman, illustrating for other developing countries the advantages of open markets and increased trade." Over 70% of Oman's textile-heavy work force is migrant labor from surrounding areas. As proven by last years CAFTA, and NAFTA before it, the trade deal will likely be disastrous for North Carolina's manufacturing dependent 8th District.

"Now that the WORLD understands that this texas cowboy isn't qualified to run any business, much less LEAD a mighty nation, when do you think the gop led congress will finally figure it out?"

CNN's Lou Dobbs said on his June 28 program, "Under the Oman free trade agreement, foreign port operators would have a right, an absolute trade agreement right, to establish operations, to acquire, to operate, to run port facilities within the U.S."

"The GOP led congress will apparently not be happy until they have sold all of America and the Americans too!"

Under the Cross Border Trade in Services chapter of the U.S.–Oman Free Trade Agreement, a Dubai Ports World-type enterprise could acquire a company in Oman, and then operate U.S. ports through that company. Additionally, the U.S.-Oman FTA threatens American jobs. For example, AMTAC (American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition) states that the agreement includes a ridiculously large tariff preference level (TPL) of 50 million sq meters of textiles annually for 10 years, which will mean that Chinese yarns and fabrics will be shipped to Oman, cut and sewn into garments and then exported duty-free to the U.S.

"This is good for America?"

"As if sending our jobs overseas isn't bad enough, the Oman trade deal could threaten our homeland security. The Republicans in Congress tried this once before by giving control of our ports to those who give safe haven to terrorists. That's why I'm going to hold Robin's feet to the fire to keep this newest trade deal from passing," said Kissell.

"We NEED our team in and their team out! Unfortunately, the average Joe will not know that the republican they voted for sold them out until the bill collector comes to take away their house!"