This is my first post, but I'm an avid reader. A lot of us have been working hard on this branding initiative in Western NC. If you live west of I-77, you might have seen these signs. Blue NC's own Drama Queen has been instrumental in this project, which was established by the NC Democratic Party's Western Task force.

Here's a cross-posting from The Political Junkies:

Western North Carolina Democrats are taking the first steps to build the Democratic Party “brand.” Using the “Burma Shave” advertising technique from the first half of the 20th century, mountain Democrats are erecting groups of signs touting Democratic Party messages.

Junior Puppet Paul Chesser today focuses on the impending defeat of Charles Taylor as though that's the only Congressional race in North Carolina that matters.

RALEIGH — U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor, N.C. 11, has faced well-financed challengers and been considered vulnerable before in his eight previous House campaigns, but a confluence of events and a high-profile candidate might make 2006 especially challenging for him. Why? Because unlike previous elections in which his Democrat opposition have been lesser-knowns who hailed from (relative) metropolises Asheville and Hendersonville, this year the party has recruited someone a lot like Taylor, from a small town in his sprawling, mountainous district. And this time the challenger also has star power: former University of Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler.

The 2006 legislative session ended on Friday and with it so did the career of Richard Morgan. Now I would not normally bemoan the loss of Republican member of the NC House, but this one seems to the harbinger of a bad tide in North Carolina politics.

First, it should be recognized that the position of legislator in North Carolina is not a coveted job. Being a member of North Carolina's General Assembly is not a well paid position and is still considered to be a part-time job, even though the members spend many hours fundraising and attending events to even be able to run for this part-time job and must uproot themselves for many months and head to Raleigh each year. The legislators then work late into the night and get heaped little praise, usually being overshadowed by national events or state-wide elected officials. But the legislators are ones with their hands in the fire crafting policy for the state that affects the lives of many on any given day.

He thinks that he will, according to the Charlotte Observer:

Another measure [of Black's strength] is the support he still claims from Democratic colleagues. On Thursday, fellow Democrats welcomed him to a news conference with a standing ovation. He believes he'll have the votes to be re-elected speaker in January.

"The members of my caucus know me best," Black says, "and when I talk to them (they say), Don't you even think about stepping aside. We've got important work to do."