Bruce.Clark's blog

I shot this video last Thursday but, well, been a little busy. So here it is. A few minutes on why I believe so strongly and passionately in Ken Lewis.

One thing I love about politics is the passion it invokes. I know many of you in other Senate campaigns have demonstrated great passion for your respective candidates. This is a demonstration of my commitment and passion for Ken - someone who I have come to know, admire, and respect over the last few months.

Remember on Tuesday that its more than just a vote, its an expression of your vision for the future of North Carolina.

I hope that vision includes the progress oriented leadership of 'Senator' Ken Lewis.

I don't usually get involved in Democratic primary contests, but this race was too important to stay on the sidelines. In North Carolina we have three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, but one stands out above the rest. That candidate is Ken Lewis.

I know what it takes to defeat an incumbent. I have seen Ken's ability to connect with young voters, progressives, and African Americans, the same groups that drove Barack Obama to victory in North Carolina in 2008. In an off year election where Democrats are not showing high levels of engagement, Ken is the best candidate to inspire and turn out the coalition of voters that will be necessary to defeat Senator Burr in November.

Your help will ensure Democrats put forward the best candidate to defeat Richard Burr.

My Fellow North Carolinians,

This is former Congresswoman Eva Clayton. With the May 4 election approaching people have been wondering where I stand. I'm writing today to tell you that I'm standing with Ken Lewis.

Along with the press release, our Communications Director sent this note to the Sierra Club. We wanted to share this with the BlueNC community as well.

In the debate last night we saw again that the only thing clear about Cal is his inconsistency. Now on both offshore drilling and nuclear he has made contradictory statements, trying to have it both ways. It is apparent that he is attempting to get the support of progressive groups now, but also position himself for a shift in the general election. He's faking left, but very clearly headed right. I believe that this endorsement is a mistake and will look bad for the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club, and the broader environmental community, only loses out when it endorses candidates that do not show real leadership on the environment.
-- Sam

LEWIS CALLS ON SIERRA CLUB TO WITHDRAW ENDORSEMENT: SAYS CUNNINGHAM WAS FOR DRILLING BEFORE HE WAS AGAINST IT

N.C. Dems debate the meaning of 'covered in oil'
By Sean J. Miller - 04/15/10 10:46 AM ET

North Carolina Senate candidate Cal Cunningham seemed to be channeling Jimmy Buffett at a Democratic forum in Raleigh Wednesday night.

When the topic of offshore oil drilling came up, Cunningham said: "If you go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, you come out covered in oil."

One of Buffett's most famous lines is, "Nibblin' on sponge cake, watchin' the sun bake, all of those tourists covered with oil."

Attorney Ken Lewis (D), one of Cunningham's main rivals for the nomination, was quick to pounce. His campaign promptly called for Cunningham to "apologize" to the governors of Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas for his "'covered in oil' slur."

"I think Cal has been listening to too many Jimmy Buffet [sic] songs: That's not what he meant by 'all of those tourists covered in oil,'" said Bruce Clark, Lewis's campaign manager.

This past weekend Ken spent some time out in Eastern North Carolina. While visiting Elizabeth City Reggie Ponder, a reporter from The Daily Advance, caught up with Ken and wrote this article below. The reason I am posting it here is because it tells a great story and shows that Ken says the same exact things in Elizabeth City as he does in Charlotte.

Here is the article:

By REGGIE PONDER
Staff Writer
Sunday, April 11, 2010

U.S. Senate candidate Ken Lewis said Saturday his candidacy is all about opportunity.

The Orange County Democrat, who spent time in Elizabeth City Saturday meeting with church and community leaders and visiting with students and alumni at Elizabeth City State University, described himself as a “fervent believer in broadening and deepening opportunity.”

His grandmother, born in Person County on a plantation where her mother had been a slave, was taught to read and write by her kids, he said.

Throughout this race we have been given a number of questionnaires to complete from organizations across the state. While most of them never make it out into the general public, we felt it would be a good idea to share Ken's responses to these questionnaires with you.

We want everyone to know what it is Ken is saying on these key issues.

With that in mind, here are Ken's answers to his Sierra Club questionnaire.

Sierra Club 2010 Candidate Questionnaire

1. What has been your greatest environmental achievement?

Compared to the sustained and vital work that the Sierra Club and many other groups are performing, I can't claim a great environmental achievement.

I can, however, make a commitment: no member of the US Senate will be a stronger voice on issues related to environmental protection, a lower-carbon economy, green jobs, and sustainable, renewable, and alternative energy than I will be.

In 2008, millions of Americans came together around a great purpose. The pundits said it could not be done. Then a people-powered campaign shook up the electoral map, ignited a Blue North Carolina, and drove Barack Obama to victory.

Now we need your activism and small-dollar donations to continue the fight for progress in North Carolina. Your support now will help push us to victory.

The 2008 election does not exist as a singular moment, separate from a larger story about North Carolina and this country. Years of hard work and struggle brought us to 2008. And now more work must be done to realize the change we all voted for.

For me, and for so many in my generation, Harvey Gantt was the candidate that allowed us to see a path toward a better, more progress-oriented North Carolina.

In case you have not already seen this introductory video of Ken, his wife Holly, and some of our supporters, here it is.

Harvey Gantt said today...

"This afternoon, as I stood with Ken Lewis to endorse his campaign for the U.S. Senate, I could not help but think back on the campaigns I waged against Jesse Helms, and the vision of progress for North Carolina and this country that we hoped to realize. Today, a candidate seeks to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate who can finish the job we started more than two decades ago. That candidate is Ken Lewis."