Without instant run-off voting, we're looking at an expensive train wreck in the primary cycle. Assuming that Cunningham and/or Etheridge join the hunt, the chances of a clear winner seem slim. That means we'll be funding a $4 million run-off election ... with turnout around 3 or 4 percent.
Submitted by NationHahn on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:17pm.
I think you are right James. My hunch is that it will be Ken Lewis versus Elaine versus Cal - Etheridge is likely just posturing. At that juncture it's going to be a heated three person race - although Foy might jump in I suppose.
Democrats in NC have an abundance of riches when it comes to viable candidates. I'd like to see Cunningham run for the House (District 6, please!) instead of the Senate, but I guess that's not going to happen.
Submitted by Leslie H on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 1:10pm.
Replacing him with a Dem in NC-2 would be challenge and whoever takes the test would have to gear up mighty darn quick.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Submitted by Leslie H on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 1:11pm.
Marshall will whup Burrrrrrr.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Marshall has shown the ability to win statewide races, and everyone (or most people) have heard of her. I think she could compete well - and as Leslie said
whip Burr's butt
I think she'd be a terrific Senator. I think that Cunningham would be, too - but I think realistically that Marshall has a jump ahead of Cunningham and Lewis, just by having that name recognition and known experience.
Submitted by Leslie H on Thu, 09/10/2009 - 9:51am.
Elaine Marshall is smart, funny, a great speaker, dedicated, has a proven policy track record, knows her statistics, is always prepared, and Elaine Marshall's personality would wipe the floor with the arrogant brush-offish manner Richard Burr has a habit of showing when he speaks. She is exactly the sort of change I can believe in.
She is adored by NC Democratic women, (moderate, liberal AND conservative) and respected by NC Democratic men (moderate, liberal AND conservative).
Lewis strikes me as smart and knowledgeable on policy issues, but comes up a little short on engaging his audience and communicating his strenghts at the microphone. (Just my opinion - although I thought the same thing about Kay Hagan at first, too. That CAN be fixed.)
I was impressed with Cunningham's resume and speechifying abilities at the NCDP SEC meeting. But he hasn't declared yet and honestly, none of us knows what his fund raising power will be when he does. However, I'm gonna bet he has a great shot at unseating an entrenched R-NC Congressman ...
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Submitted by Dan Besse on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 4:56pm.
I'm torn between my long-standing support of Elaine, and my current impression that Cal provides our most appealing and energetic matchup against Burr. Tough call on the merits, although I suspect that Elaine will be tough to beat if she decides early and pushes hard.
“On Tuesday, I filed my papers to set up an Exploratory Committee for United States Senate. With unemployment at the highest level in decades, foreclosures continuing to increase and people still losing their healthcare, North Carolinians need experienced leaders who will get things done. I look forward to working with people across the state to build consensus and find solutions.
Our current Senator, Richard Burr, has spent 14 years in Washington. He supported the misguided policies that brought our economy to its knees and, now, he’s standing in the way of efforts to get us back on the right track. As a state, we deserve better.”
Emphasis added to a fine statement that everyone should be able to agree on, even Mr. Burr.
Submitted by Jake Gellar-Goad on Thu, 09/10/2009 - 5:33pm.
I've been saying that I've wanted to see a strong primary field on the democratic side for a while now. In the presidential election a strong primary field created a lot of party building, and gave people the feeling of having real options, and kept the attention focused away from the republican in the race for a long time while everyone wanted to tune in and see the debates on the democratic primary side. On a very surface level this race strikes me as similar to the presidential primary campaign with the 3 top tier candidates having a diversity in terms of gender & race.
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall vs Durham lawyer Kenneth Lewis vs captain in the United States Army Reserve & former state senator Cal Cunningham
Without instant run-off
Without instant run-off voting, we're looking at an expensive train wreck in the primary cycle. Assuming that Cunningham and/or Etheridge join the hunt, the chances of a clear winner seem slim. That means we'll be funding a $4 million run-off election ... with turnout around 3 or 4 percent.
I think you are right James.
I think you are right James. My hunch is that it will be Ken Lewis versus Elaine versus Cal - Etheridge is likely just posturing. At that juncture it's going to be a heated three person race - although Foy might jump in I suppose.
Once again
Democrats in NC have an abundance of riches when it comes to viable candidates. I'd like to see Cunningham run for the House (District 6, please!) instead of the Senate, but I guess that's not going to happen.
Gonna be an interesting campaign season.
Oh, God I hope Etheridge stays my Congressman
Replacing him with a Dem in NC-2 would be challenge and whoever takes the test would have to gear up mighty darn quick.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Oh, meant to say ... YAAaaay!
Marshall will whup Burrrrrrr.
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
She has never shown the
She has never shown the ability to raise money or particularly excite voters.
Further Proof?
I'm willing to hear more thoughts on this.
However, it should be noted the Elaine Marshall was the second top vote getter in statewide executive branch races in 2008.
Folks on here were slobbering all over Roy Cooper's top vote getting status after last November.
Roy got 2,538,000ish votes.
Elaine got 2,316,903 out of 4,079,831 votes cast in her race.
No other Council of State candidate got above 2,180,000 votes in their race in 2008.
Still willing to hear an argument against Marshall though.
Name Recognition, Proven Ability
Marshall has shown the ability to win statewide races, and everyone (or most people) have heard of her. I think she could compete well - and as Leslie said
I think she'd be a terrific Senator. I think that Cunningham would be, too - but I think realistically that Marshall has a jump ahead of Cunningham and Lewis, just by having that name recognition and known experience.
1. She won 15% of the vote in
1. She won 15% of the vote in the 2002 primary finishing third.
2. She has never raised significant money.
3. She'll be, what, a 68 year old first term Senator? That isn't change we can believe in.
Ah ... don't let her age fool you.
Elaine Marshall is smart, funny, a great speaker, dedicated, has a proven policy track record, knows her statistics, is always prepared, and Elaine Marshall's personality would wipe the floor with the arrogant brush-offish manner Richard Burr has a habit of showing when he speaks. She is exactly the sort of change I can believe in.
She is adored by NC Democratic women, (moderate, liberal AND conservative) and respected by NC Democratic men (moderate, liberal AND conservative).
Lewis strikes me as smart and knowledgeable on policy issues, but comes up a little short on engaging his audience and communicating his strenghts at the microphone. (Just my opinion - although I thought the same thing about Kay Hagan at first, too. That CAN be fixed.)
I was impressed with Cunningham's resume and speechifying abilities at the NCDP SEC meeting. But he hasn't declared yet and honestly, none of us knows what his fund raising power will be when he does. However, I'm gonna bet he has a great shot at unseating an entrenched R-NC Congressman ...
"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Torn
I'm torn between my long-standing support of Elaine, and my current impression that Cal provides our most appealing and energetic matchup against Burr. Tough call on the merits, although I suspect that Elaine will be tough to beat if she decides early and pushes hard.
Our choices sure beat the other side's.
Dan Besse
Ms. Marshall's statement
Emphasis added to a fine statement that everyone should be able to agree on, even Mr. Burr.
Glad to see it
I've been saying that I've wanted to see a strong primary field on the democratic side for a while now. In the presidential election a strong primary field created a lot of party building, and gave people the feeling of having real options, and kept the attention focused away from the republican in the race for a long time while everyone wanted to tune in and see the debates on the democratic primary side. On a very surface level this race strikes me as similar to the presidential primary campaign with the 3 top tier candidates having a diversity in terms of gender & race.
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall vs Durham lawyer Kenneth Lewis vs captain in the United States Army Reserve & former state senator Cal Cunningham
N&O profiles:
http://projects.newsobserver.com/profiles/elaine_marshall
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/kenneth_lewis
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/cal_cunningham
Facebook groups/fanpages
Elaine Marshall: http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=101700230921
Kenneth Lewis: http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Kenneth-Lewis/97128081749
Cal Cunningham: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106543775883
I look forward to this democratic primary and am very excited to see the debates between these 3+ candidates.
I agree with Leslie
Elaine is wildly popular with women in this state and respected by men. In person she is smart, engaging and no nonsense.
We've got a long way to go in this election, but she's definitely a terrific candidate. I think the money will come.