Harry Taylor
Submitted by James on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 9:04am
Harry Taylor formally announced yesterday that he is running for Congress in the 9th District. He'll compete against Ross Overby for the honor of sending Sue home. The Charlotte Observer has the story.
Democrat Harry Taylor, hoping to tap into the international notoriety he won after scolding President Bush in Charlotte last year, launched a campaign for Congress on Tuesday.
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Taylor, 63, made headlines in April 2006 when Bush took questions after a speech at Central Piedmont Community College. He called on Taylor. "I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened, by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency," Taylor told Bush. "And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself."
Reporter Jim Morrill called me to talk specifically about potential role of the netroots in fundraising for Harry. I said I thought it looked promising based on a couple of run-ups that Harry diaries enjoyed at Daily Kos.
Every candidate with a brain is adding online fundraising to their mix. Early adopters may have had a brief advantage, but the space is getting crowded fast, and dollars will be harder and harder to come by. Guys like Harry who have something of a rock-star status will have an easier time of it. The national base of awareness he has gained gives him natural momentum. (Jim Neal is in a similar position, but for different reasons. Progressives and gay-rights activists see his campaign as a civil rights issue and are eager to knock down the homophobic wall that criss-crosses America.)
Morrill said Harry is looking to raise $2 million online. Do you think that's doable?
- James's blog
- 530 reads
Harry's anouncement
I was at his announcement here in Charlotte yesterday and it was inspiring. We have a candidate who will give Ms. Family Values a run for her money.
Come join Harry's Hombres, we will need every person we can get to unseat Sue.
"jump in where you can and hang on"
Briscoe Darling to Sheriff Andy
I'm planning to go tomorrow at 4pm for his kickoff here in Union
I'm taking my video camera, so hopefully will have something to post. I'm just excited we have two strong candidates running in the 9th for the Dem nomination. I think they'll both keep it clean. I think this is a campaign that will be fun to watch and once the primary is over it will be easy to jump on the bandwagon of the winner.
I don't think either Taylor or Overby has run for office. I'm grateful they did now that I've moved into Sue's district.
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Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
The announcement
The announcement was yesterday at 4pm in Union.
"jump in where you can and hang on"
Briscoe Darling to Sheriff Andy
Last cycle
I believe that Jim Webb raised about 890,000 online.
I dont believe that we have reached the height of online fundraising, but I also dont believe that its going to be as easy to do it this year as it was in 08, and it wasnt exactly easy to raise money online last year.
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
I agree
I'm sure Harry will do very well in his online fundraising efforts, but I think $2 mil is overly amibitious.
For those who missed it
Here's one of the Daily Kos diaries that ignited last week.
Harry will be in Union County tomorrow
UCDP Monthly meeting
November 15th
6pm
Jefferson Room
Union County Public Works Bldg
Hope you can make it!
Go Harry
Give 'em hell. I'll cut you a check to help with the hell givin'.
That's what I'm talking about!
I don't know much of the politics of the area - I know he's got a primary challenger - but anyone who has the cajones to ask Bush if he doesn't feel a little bit ashamed gets some of my money.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
ActBlue
You can donate via ActBlue under NC-09
"jump in where you can and hang on"
Briscoe Darling to Sheriff Andy
thank you
I wasn't sure if he was part of ActBlueNC or not. I'll go to NC-09.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Thanks to both of you!
Harry's a friend; he & I have been activists working on progressive issues together; the environment, the war, health care for all. We have lobbied Myrick together, collected petition signatures, spoken at environmental hearings, protested the war together...he's really passionate about progressive issues, and not afraid to speak his mind (and he's been at this a lot longer than me!)
I'm really thrilled that he's decided to jump in this race, and I'm volunteering with his campaign.
BlueNC is really doing a great job of bringing attention to all the democratic candidates, thanks to Anglico for his excellent quote in the Charlotte observer today.
Harry
When I was running canvassing vans last fall, Harry came out as many days as he could for Kissell. He would stay out and walk streets long after most of the other volunteers called to be picked back up. He always had a wonderfully positive disposition, and engaged every (reasonably minded) voter he spoke with. We wanted for more canvassers like Harry.
There are many uphill battles for Congress in NC. In the districts that are held by Republicans that aren't named Robin Hayes, most candidates have a 1 in 10,000 chance without an open seat or a scandal (and that's not a made up number). I've managed a campaign in Harry's district, and it went about 65% for Bush in 2004, with Myrick's wins being bigger. But if anyone I've met running for one of these hard seats has the demonstrated work ethic, national and local visibility, and base of supporters to be more than an excuse for the incumbent to spend money and get out the vote for the Republican ticket, it's Harry Taylor.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks