Fay-O entranced by the Puppetshow

Joining the growing list of media outlets who wouldn't know an expert if he sat in their laps:

Chris Hayes, a legislative analyst for Civitas, said Parfitt's low name recognition because of having never run before could be one of the reasons for the difference - as could Dawkins' familiarity among voters from his time on the City Council and the fact that his father was mayor for six terms.

But there could be other factors that come into play, too, Hayes said. "Unaffiliated voters, who are currently divided in their choice of candidate," he said, "may play a crucial role in this race."

In one little blurb, Hayes has cast the Democrat as having no experience, and the Republican as having both experience and well-loved father/mayor.

And here is an article by another Fay-O reporter:

The two candidates offer voters a contrast in their way of thinking. Although Brisson is considered the favorite, the race is expected to be competitive, said Chris Hayes, a senior legislative analyst with the Civitas Institute, a conservative think-tank in Raleigh.

"What's going on here is similar to a lot of races in eastern North Carolina with unaffiliated and conservative Democrats unhappy with the current administration. It's swinging toward the Republicans," he said. "They have a highly unfavorable opinion of President Obama and oppose the Democrats. The question is, is there the opportunity for a Republican to come in there and pick up a seat?"

While this reporter did mention the conservative nature of Civitas, he also let Hayes ramble on about anti-Obama feelings, which (theoretically) shouldn't have a damn thing to do with a NC House race. I'm surprised he didn't throw in a Pelosi or two.

And just to give you a glimpse of Republican "me first!" priorities:

Dawkins is a health insurance broker who owns an insurance agency. In addition to serving on the City Council from 2003 to 2005, Dawson has served on the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Council for 25 years.

Dawkins said he wants to cut state spending, reduce tax burdens, create jobs, create more charter schools and spend more on teachers by cutting back on the Department of Education. He also wants to introduce a bill to exempt North Carolina residents from some aspects of the national health care reform law.

Bolding mine, because (of course) neither the newspaper nor Chris Hayes considers that monumental conflict of interest noteworthy.