Who Should I Recruit to Defeat Dole?

And thanks for opening it up to "all comers." The short list around here has been:

1. Either Bev Purdue or Richard Moore (convince one of them not to run for governor).

2. Jim Hunt

3. Mike Easley

Brad Miller popped up in a discussion yesterday, too.

But I like the idea a lot of expanding the conversation and am very happy you posted this. We'll keep it at the top for awhile so all can pile on.

Congratulations again on a kick-ass election! All the best to you and your excellent staff.

Jim Hunt

Bev Perdue a distant 2nd (I would rather her be Governor).

NOT Mike Easley. Any more land deals come out in the papers and I am going to start asking that he not run for any office again.

HelpLarry.com

How about Elaine Marshall?

But, even if she does run, we can beat her. So, who should I recruit to take her on? Don't limit yourselves to politicians. Are there good businesspeople or community leaders out there who share our vision and can win?

This comment right here is everything that is right with North Carolina Politics righ tnow.
Why not Dean Smith? (even if I do bleed State Red)
I cant think of any rich successful businessmen who are Democrats, but I am sure others can.

HelpLarry.com

1) Jim Hunt

2) Jim Hunt

3) Jim Hunt

Talent, experience,and focus (small business, education & training) that is dormant and should not be.

Dole really was embarrassing on MTP. Tim Russert shouldn't have to chastise a sitting senator like a three-year-old to let everyone have their chance to talk.

Would Gov. Hunt run for public office again? That would be my first choice. If not Hunt, what about Roy Cooper?

I was the first to suggest Jim Hunt, so don't take my absence of his name as anything OTHER than complete support.

Might I suggest you print out this page and mail it to Gov. Hunt?

CountryCrats - my thoughts, my blog.

Jerry, when are you going to run for office (and where can I sign up for the campaign)?

I say Bev Purdue!!!!!

Tar Heel Democrats are riding a high wave of emotion this morning as Democrats have picked-up seats in the state legislature, state senate, and are sending a Democratic majority to the United States Congress. The victory was hard-fought and a slight rest for the party politicos is well deserved.

Any political junkie will tell you that planning for the next cycle begins the day after the last cycle ended. This morning I began to think of 2008 in the Old North State and came up with an idea I feel needs consideration. In 2008 all state-wide offices will be up for election and first-term Senator Elizabeth Dole, suffering a major defeat last evening as RSCC chair, is up for re-election. Democrats face a situtation where two rising stars desperately want to occupy the Governor's Mansion (Treasurer Richard Moore and Lt. Gov Bev Purdue). This contest promises to be nasty and could divide the party.

My suggestion to state party chair Jerry Meek is to work like hell to get Purdue to run against Dole in the Senate race. Dole is vulnerable and the right person can defeat her. Bev Purdue is that person, she is popular, well groomed and would represent North Carolina well in Washington, while allowing Moore a clear path to the Governor's office. This would prove to be a win-win for the Democratic Party.

Would be Hunt.

I am a Cooper fan also, but it looks like he seems intent on keeping the AG position.

All others on the list are good candidates.

I realize that most of the people above are the same people that Jerry has already considered. If we want to go outside the box:

Elizabeth Edwards: Hillary was Senator after being first lady; why cannot Elizabeth do it while first lady?

Sarah Parker: Having just won the chief justive seat this is probably not the time, but at some point she could move from the judiciary to another elected position.

Meeker: He might be more of a regional star, but he needs something after his term as mayor.

n/t

what about John Atkins. John is one of the finest, smartest and astute business leaders I've ever know. He's a progressive Democrat, through and through, plus he's an architect - a profession dedicated to solving problems.

I've heard Bev Perdue speak about her vision for North Carolina, and would love to see her as our next governor. How about Perdue for Governor and Richard Moore for the Senate?

as well.

I like Hunt as an option. I also have to admit Congressman Etheridge would be a good pick. He's my congressman and is quite good for NC. However, I'd hate to lose him around here.

I just saw the Dennis Wicker comment. He's from my neck of the woods too, and I must admit he'd be good.

Or David Price for Senate and Ellie for his seat in the House.

I think Ellie would be a perfect opponent for Liddy Dole. I honestly believe she acts from conviction, and she has a knack for connecting with people based on that conviction.

Her stance on the the death penalty moratorium is a perfect example of that -- it's born of conviction and she worked with liberals and religious folks to move forward.

Harvey Gantt, but I know he would never run again. Hugh McColl because he has enough money to not only self finance, but to finance every Democrat running in the state.

I like the idea of Brad Miller because I'd really like a chance to vote for him for something some day. :)

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

Jerry, I thik is is great you are asking us "The People" for input. So, here are my picks

1. State Senator Kay Hagen
2. Eleaine Marshall
3. Brad Miller
4. Mell Watts

These are my picks, If I can come up with any more I pass them along.

Jerry, I met you last May at the state convention and was Surprised and impressed by how down to earth you are. It is reshing to feel I can actually make a difference and you really want and respect my input. Seeing you post on some of the blogs I read is a kind cool, but asking us for imput on a challenger for Dole is incredible. Thanks for asking us. It really does make me feel empowered and that I do have a choice.

Ken Sunshine

I don't think Dole will run. Her performance during this campaign season was abysmal, and with the Senate shakeup, look for Dole's cache to plummet quicker than Bob off the Viagra.

We ought to encourage Virginia Foxx to have a go at the Republican nomination. Run, Ginny, Run!

The suggestions in the comments are good ones, esp. Easley.

I think our best bet will be with a entrepreneurial scientist with a military background. Maybe start cruising the Research Triangle for talent? Successful businessman, forward thinking environmentally or technologically, and competent in matters military - that's a winner.

You might also speak with Southern Dem. She's a natural, and she'd punishLiddy Dole in the debates.

I would be happy if Easley would reitre as well. I am not so sure he in office to do the will of the people. I too wonder when the next land deal news will hit.

But my choice is

JIM HUNT!!

--
Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!

Jerry - One more thing. We can't afford to leave 40+ seats in the NC General Assembly uncontested in '08 like we did this year. This leaves the GOP free to run any wingnut they want and slot them right into the legislature. It also allows them to pick up seats while spending little to no money on them. Maybe they would be forced to run more reasonable people if they will have legitimate competition from us. And having more Democrats on the ballot could help us in other races, up and down the ballot.

We need a 100-County strategy for '08, and a state party committment to recruit and help those candidates in allegedly 'red' areas. Even if that help is just setting up a website, or printing signs, we need to not leave twisting in the wind Democrats who are wiling to step up and run for a time-consuming job that pays about $12,000 per year.

I can't support Wicker. As a former state employee, I have personal experience with his protection of campaign contributors...apparently, environmental regulations do not apply to his buddies in Lee Co.

HUNT for senate. He is an awesome guy and he can/will win. After all, he's served four terms as gov. I like Elaine Marshall for the senate seat too.

COOPER for gov. Sorry, Bev - don't trust the coastal NC power brokers. Cooper has built a nice populist resume as AG and I think he is an attractive candidate.

I'm surprised no one on this particular blog has mentioned an obvious candidate. Since we're thinking outside the box, how 'bout Larry Kissell if he doesn't take the 8th? Taking out a republican incumbent in a lean-republican district (at least for federal races it leans republican) on a shoe-string budget against a multi-millionare is no small feat. Imagine what Larry could do with millions of dollars and a base of support NOT based in the triangle, but with appeal IN the triangle as well as a rural base of support?

Something to think about anyway.

Elaine Marshall or Bev Purdue would probably be my first choices but I'd have to give it some more thought. I think either could win. I also think Hunt would be a great choice but find it unlikely he'd run.

BTW, it was nice meeting you, Jerry, at the recent NCDP Victory party and we so appreciate your work to reach out to the netroots and grassroots.

Thanks again to your staff for providing internet access for us!

Amy Goodale

Since all my first and second tier choices have been mentioned in this thread so far, I'll try to think outside the box...
How about Easley...no not him, her...Mary! :-) Everytime I've seen her on TV, I've been impressed with her. Anyone think of her yet?

Up to now I'd have said Moore for Governor but I think he would be good against Dole and in the Senate. Moore and Perdue should not be allowed to beat each other up in a Primary for Governor. Either would be an excellent Governor or Senator.

I now think Moore is better suited for the Senate seat. Moore has, and apparently likes, a national audience and could raise a lot of money to run against Dole (or anyone else).

Bev Perdue is a good-old-boy with a knack for the nitty-gritty of State politics and has pushed ahead with some initiatives like rural connectivity and virtual schools.

Despite her recent mis-steps with national fundraising Dole could raise a lot of money for herself very easily and use it to trash any opponent. Hunt and Easley may not want to subject themselves to a nasty campaign but neither would Dole if any good candidate was identified early on and raised money for a large war chest to keep her at bay.

I think Jim Hunt would be honored but would decline in order to continue his other interests in peace. I think Mike Easley may wait too long to make a decision and should declare his intentions early on so as not to make it complicated for others.

I think Roy Cooper is doing a great job as AG and should remain for a while.

thats the crux of the argument

Moore has, and apparently likes, a national audience and could raise a lot of money to run against Dole (or anyone else).

Bev Perdue is a good-old-boy with a knack for the nitty-gritty of State politics and has pushed ahead with some initiatives like rural connectivity and virtual schools.

Does anyone know if Moore has officially declared for Governor or not? I would like to avoid him having to say he is backing off one for the other. Not that that would be a huge deal if it was done early enough.

Besides, I think that if Moore decided to run for Senate instead both he and Perdue would get well over 50% of the vote in their primaries no matter how many others signed on.

HelpLarry.com

Why not skip the "usual suspects" and create a candidacy from new blood?

Yeah, most of the folks mentioned here have the traditional fund-raising muscle to pull together a campaign, but they're part of a pecking order that's not quite respected plus vulnerable to criticism of the current Dem power structure (the same folks that switched so easily from vermin to purdue, the folks running interference for black, etc.)

Do something exciting and right and promote a candidate outside the pecking order....

CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class

I'd love to see Governor Hunt run, because he's one of my all-time favorite politicians. But, I can see one downside: He may not hold the seat for more than one term because of his age. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone who could spend a few terms in the Senate and accrue some power for NC?

Most of yesterday my mind was working on thinking of outiders. In particular, it occured to me that the conversation above only mentioned one person of color (Mel Watt). Here are some possibilities:
-Cynthia Brown. I voted for her in the 2002 primary, and I'd love to do so again.
-Stick Williams. Successful business person, former chair of the UNC Board of Governors.
-Wiliam Barber. ED of the NC NAACP. If you haven't heard him speak, you need to.
- Tom Ross. Former judge and current head of the Z Smith Reynolds foundation. See an interview with him about current issues facing the South here.
-Deborah Ross. I think she's a real up-and-comer in the state house.

If we are thinking way outside the box, how about multi-millionaire Nido Qubein. He is currently President of High Point University, and has raised $80 million in the last two years for renovations to the Campus. He is a true success story coming to America as a teenager with $50 in his pocket; he is now one of the most successful business leaders in NC if not the country. Because of his deep pockets, he could self finance the campaign, and his rags to riches story, make him perfect.

Bill Friday already?

D.G. Martin, Charlie Rose, Charlie Gaddy?

People have been wanting Bill Friday to run for office forever. He's a wonderful guy . . . and he's probably said "No" more than any single person, with the possible exception Dean Smith.

asking my voting but non-politically involved middle-classer friends and associates this question. I went through the top names. Most didn't get more than a "meh" ... until I got to Mike Easley. That drew some excited "oh, yeah" responses.

For a sense of just how politically UN-involved my crowd is, of about eight people, ~half didn't know who Bev Perdue was and one person knew who Richard Moore was and that's only because she works for the state.

I know ... nobody knew who the heck Jim Webb was six months ago either, so big whoop. Just thought the info would be interesting.

From a historical perspective, Gov. Hunt would be great, but I, too, worry that he'd only be able to give one term. I'd rather take a long view and see someone (like Cooper)who is young enough and already has enough name recognition to make a good showing. If I'm not going to get to vote for Cooper for Governor, I want to vote for him for Senator. I want a chance to vote for him for something.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

I understand the lure of a "named" candidate but please not Lotto Mike.

At some point the netroots are going to have to have the "faith", so to speak, to step outside tradition. We've already seen how online organization can act as an "assist" to campaigns with candidates chosen by "traditional" means.

2008 and RobertP's 100 county initiative could be the next step in the process. The netroots could help find candidates, vet them, start to build buzz and infrastructure around them and, like the last two cycles, bring home the sale.

Yeah, most folks won't be consuming their politics online for years to come, but that doesn't stop the netroots acting as a initiator and catalyst for more traditional means of electing folks.

Why worry about it now? To unleash the power of the "long tail" you need plenty of time.

CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class

I don't suppose anybody saw this in today's News & Observer?

Blogging for a candidate

Using the Web log at bluenc.com, State Democratic Chairman Jerry Meek recently asked Democrats for suggestions on whom he should recruit to run against Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008. Here are some suggestions Meek received.

and full story by Rob Christensen:

Dems hunt Web for Dole challenger
State leader trolls for names online

I did...

Am I the only one that thought the Dole response was asinine?

"Regarding [Meek's] concern about whether Elizabeth Dole is going to run or not, she is going to run and never thought otherwise. She will take on all comers. America is a great country."

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
www.brocknet.net/WordPress/

OnslowCountyPolitics@gmail.com
http://onslowcountypolitics.brocknet.net

Bob Etheridge won his congressional race by a bigger margin than David Price or Brad Miller, even though Etheridge's district is mostly rural, and includes much of the Fayetteville area! To elect a U.S. Senator, we'll have to get the support of these folks!
Etheridge is smart, honest, and very personable. He is like a wise and kind father. Yes, he's moderate, not liberal. But let's get real; this is North Carolina, not Massachusetts. Our choices for U.S. Senators are moderate Democrats like John Edwards, or right wing . . . persons . . . like Richard Burr, Elizabeth Dole, Jesse Helms, John East, etc.
Remember, there is ONLY ONE PROPER CRITERION IN CHOOSING A SENATORIAL CANDIDATE:
WHO CAN BEAT THE REPUBLICAN?

Actually there is a street named after him in Cary. You can check him out in two days when he's on WRAL for a 50 year reunion newscast Friday at 6pm. Read about it at:
Longtime WRAL News Anchors To Host Reunion Newscast