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Top 5 tidbits and stories from North Carolina's primary
1. Women won: While Obama trounced Clinton at the top of the ticket, the day belonged in many ways to Democratic women. The Party's nominee for the Governor will be Bev Perdue, a long time legislator and the current Lt. Governor. The party selected state Senator Kay Hagen to take on Elizabeth Dole in the fall as well. Both Hagen are moderate to conservative Democrats who in fact are well connected to the good ol boys and lobbyists of Raleigh.
In addition to Perdue and Hagen, a number of other women won their primaries for statewide office. These included progressive state Senator and rising Democratic star Janet Cowell, who was selected to run for state Treasurer. Beth Wood won her primary to run for state Auditor. June Atkinson fended off a tough primary opponent for the State Superintendent of schools. Mary Fant Donnan got the most votes and will be in a runoff election to be the nominee for the Commissioner of Labor.
In November, women will be well represented on North Carolina's ballot.
2. Democratic Turnout: As has been the case across the country, it was historic (over 36% turnout for a primary, over 2 million ballots cast, and over 1.5 million asked for the Democratic ballot). More people cast a Democratic ballot on Tuesday than voted for John Kerry in the 2004 General Election. Thousands of people switched to Democratic registration leading up to the primary.
When 400 people are waiting in line to vote at 7:30 at night when the poll has closed, you've got a lot of excitement in the primary. There were also nearly a half million votes cast early and around 50,000 who registered at the early voting sites (a new law that effectively changed the registration deadline to 3 days before the election instead of 25).
3. Those weird "women's voices" robo-calls: I could write pages and pages about this little episode. For folks who are interested in the story, check out Facing South or Democracy North Carolina's website.
I think we need to learn more about the details of Women Voices Women Votes actions before deciding whether they were incompetent on a Titanic scale or whether there was something more sinister at work. This is not some shady 527 organization, they are funded by the usual foundations who promote totally above board and progressive non-partisan civic engagement activities. But it's also possible that staff or consultants for the organization took liberties and made tactical decisions that they knew would benefit a particular candidate in the primary process.
I don't know if we'll ever know the truth. My hunch is that the big scandal will be one of fraud: apparently their major expenditures went to consulting contracts to the husband of the organization's President. His firm made the robo-calls and did the mailings and you have to wonder how this was allowed to happen. It is hard to overcome the fact though that they told the Virginia police that the deceptive and anonymous calls would stop back in early February and yet continued into North Carolina in late April. The connections to the Clinton family raise troubling questions but at this point I doubt a direct campaign link because if they wanted to help her there are so many other legal ways that they could have picked.
4. North Carolina is in play in November: There has been some polling to back this up but I'm not going to link to anything. I'm just going to say that it's a feeling that the combination of many colleges, growing educated population, strong African American registration rates, and a solid Democratic political machine (compared to a routinely divided and inept state GOP), puts the state in play for Obama. He doesn't need to win, just make McCain spend time and money here.
5. I missed my chance to have a beer with Barack Obama: It's election day on Tuesday and it's about 5:30pm (an hour an half until the polls closed). I'd been knocking on doors since noon making sure that people get out and vote for Obama. At that moment, I get a text message from a friend who says she got a tip that Obama is going to be at a Raleigh bar in 5 minutes and if I want to meet him face to face, now is my chance.
Dilemma time. Do I leave my post, stop canvassing and go meet the next President of the United States? I thought about it for about 10 seconds and went back to knocking on doors. Meanwhile, my friend got to shake Obama's hand as he ordered a Pabst Blue Ribbon (leaving the bartender an $18 tip).
If I'd have known he would win by over 200,000 votes I totally would have been at the bar.
Thanks to the Obama staff and volunteers for helping to make sure that North Carolina played a big role in choosing the next President.
For the other North Carolinians on TPM, please share your experiences and thoughts as well.
Comments (59)
Thank YOU, Urbinato!!
May 8, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That you skipped the bar, sorry we are.
May 8, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was raised Catholic, so there's that guilt motivation in many of my actions. I'm thinking to myself, what if I leave to go meet Obama and he ends up losing the state by 1 vote. How would I ever have forgiven myself?
May 8, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
On behalf of TPM-aholics, we thank you again for deliver N. Carolina, but it would have been OK with us if you had gotten the beer.
May 9, 2008 8:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to be regretting that choice for a while but I'm hoping that he returns to campaign here for the general election and that I'll get another chance.
May 9, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Take comfort in that you made the noble choice. :)
May 9, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Woo hoo! Congrats on the record Democratic turnout in NC!
And thanks for your GOTV work.
May 8, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you so very much.
May 8, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good posts.
Women in state offices is always a good thing...."Good" women that is.....same as "Good" men.
May 8, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks! It's always great to have actual information and stories from the front lines.
May 8, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thre you were, on the brink
To join in a candidate drink
You coulda just done a shirking wink
instead, Yoda v Hillary's kitchen sink
Bravo!!!
May 8, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
My small rural county in NC CD-11 was Hillary country, and she won by a 25%+ margin. But it probably should have been much worse here. We put together a good local group, drew enthusiastic crowds at booths at local community events, built up our contact list and established connections with surrounding counties for the general, and, most satisfying, got out a full 47% early vote among Obama folks.
Even though we couldn't get a win in our district (and lost Schuler as a super because of it), it was nice to see the payoff at the state level. Never would have guessed early on that NC would get a chance to play the role it did.
May 8, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for your great work - it's because of people like you that the margin wasn't worse in your area.
Let's keep it going for November!
May 9, 2008 7:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
For years, Republicans, especially conservatives and militarists, have been bringing the butter to the South in places like Virginia, in North Carolina in the research triangle, etc... so, eventually, all this butter starts creating high tech jobs, people begin to move there from out of state, there's immigration, etc... and then the demographics begin to shift, the education becomes better, and suddenly-- you have a public that desires more leftist policies! That's some sweet electoral irony, but the broader political point (if I can go out on a limb here) would be that investing in people is a form of practical socialism. It works, people like it, and society is better for it.
May 8, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a big, big part of North Carolina's somewhat progressive bent (in comparison to most of the rest of the South) is a strong state commitment to education, from K through college. A highly educated workforce is important to industry and NC offeres that because of its (mostly) quality education system.
The climate, the coast, and the mountains are a natural draw too.
I think the irony is that Republicans and conservatives hate liberal bastions like Chapel Hill and Asheville - but then those are also the economies that are the strongest in the state.
May 9, 2008 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
SideNote: When the NC Zoo was first being proposed, Jesse Helms famously remarked that we didn't need a zoo, when we could just put a fence around Chapel Hill.
May 9, 2008 6:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the irony runs even deeper than you've suggested. Since the New Deal, the economies of southern states have been almost entirely reliant on federal largesse. The big defense bases and contractors that moved south during and after the war - federal dollars. The highways and transportation infrastructure tying together its cities - (largely) federal dollars. The Tennessee Valley Authority - federal dollars. Loans from SBA and ARA to fund new businesses and industries - federal dollars. Subsidies for tobacco farmers and other agricultural sectors - federal dollars. The disparity between what the Southern Sunbelt states paid in taxes and what they received in benefits peaked in the 1950s, when they received more than 50% more, but remained dramatic through the 1980s.
And here's the irony. That dependence on federal dollars fueled and reinforced characteristic southern attitudes toward government. Since these states continued to lag behind the rest of the nation in per-capita income and most other measures of economic development, they tended to regard the federal dollars they received as no more than their due. They also developed the attitude typical of those dependent on hand-outs, a mixture of fierce resentment and assertive independence. Nowhere (except in the equally-dependent Western states) was opposition to taxes fiercer, or hatred for government intervention more pronounced.
So what's changed? Yes, educational attainment has increased, and in-migration has altered the demographic composition of the state. But the biggest difference, as LBP and Urbinato note, is that the economy is no longer driven by federal dollars. And that's the irony. As North Carolina develops a knowledge-based economy, and becomes a leader in technology and finance, it has become gradually less dependent on federal subsidies. And it's those areas where the private sector is strongest that have become most liberal. It's almost a straight function - the better the economy, and the less important the role of the federal government, the more willing voters are to support initiatives that will redistribute wealth to those in need, and fund investments in education and infrastructure with an eye toward the future.
So yes, the GOP's pork-barrel spending seems to have put it out of business in North Carolina. But the ultimate irony is that after raging for decades against federal intervention, the GOP is belatedly discovering that economic success drives voters to the Democrats. Amusing, no?
May 9, 2008 8:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
As I said in another thread: Obama-Fly '08!
May 9, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
It would take me 40 to 80 hours of personal research to back up, with your level of understanding, what I mentioned anecdotally. One of the things I love about this site is how there are writers who are actually trained in the social sciences! And, for the record, I would have equally enjoyed it had my observation been way off the mark, and you had corrected me! To be able to just rattle off something like that, aside from professional experience, what would someone need-- something like an MPA, or are we talking like a sociology PhD here?
May 10, 2008 12:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
You've hit on one of my favorite themes. We invest in law enforcement and military, but we avoid investing in people all of the time. It's maddening that we pretend like we don't know what it takes to build peaceful and prosperous communities. We know how crushing poverty is. We know how powerful education is. Why don't we use these lessons to improve the world that we live in?
I know that some people understand these things and are striving for them, but it's very easy to feel that we live in a society that is sick in the head. We have a "War on Drugs" that helps to keep communities in poverty. We have a "War on Terror" that is helping to keep entire nations in poverty. People who live under prosperous, peaceful conditions don't engage in drive-by shootings. They don't strap bombs to their chests. We know how to make these things better. It may not be easy to get there, but we know well what the goal should be.
Practical socialism indeed.
May 9, 2008 5:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
From flyonthewall, above:
DF, don't you think your point, which I agree with, is subtly different from fly's conclusions above?
To make this a short post, let me just say that at the highest organizational levels, and especially today, the GOP are fully aware that their policies fail to create prosperity. Instead, they seek to capitalize on a situation where they can create prosperity for some, at the expense of others; and, equally important (and this is my point), make the situation more dire for their core constituents, so they must turn to the GOP for support. As Fly's point above, that a prosperous people desire more leftist policies, certainly the opposite is true, and they know it-- a less prosperous people can be more easily manipulated by xenophobia, authoritarianism, religious bigotry, militarism, etc.
May 10, 2008 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a native of the Triangle, I don't really think the influx of newcomers is a new thing; I like to say that my hometown had a population of 7,000 in 1970 and was home to around 100,000 in 2000. I think the difference is that more of these newcomers have decided that they're "home" and more of them chose to be involved.
I could tell anecdotes about my days as a newspaper carrier in the mid-80s and how I'd often encounter people who were still subscribing to their hometown paper or the NYTimes; or, I could talk about how the student body of the major universities hasn't really grown enough to make a big difference. In my mind, what probably set this election apart in the terms of turnout is that more people chose to participate for one reason or another. After all, the populations of the major metro areas have grown, but so has most of the rest of the state and demographics have stayed pretty close to the same.
May 9, 2008 5:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
so what bar was he in? I hope it wasn't Sadlack's.
May 9, 2008 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Raleigh Times
May 9, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bev Perdue beat Richard Moore in large part because Moore went too negative with his attacks. The attacks reminded people too much of the tactics being used by the Clinton Campaign. Moore was a good candidate. If he had run a more merit-based campaign, the outcome could have been different.
The state is in play if it's an honest effort. The governor race will be competitive. McCrory is a good campaigner and will give Perdue a run for her money.
May 9, 2008 4:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Moore went negative because the polling said he was way behind, so I'm not convinced the negative stuff really changed the race.
McCory is a moderate and popular Mayor of Charlotte. You're right, he's a good campaigner. At the same time, I'm skeptical of anyone winning statewide office in NC who comes from Charlotte. (Erskine Bowles, Richard Vinroot, Harvey Gantt...). I'm half joking because obviously someone from Charlotte CAN win, but it's hard to deny a pattern here.
I can't think of anyone from Charlotte who in statewide office right now. Anyone have the names of Charlotte politicians who've been elected statewide?
May 9, 2008 7:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
And thanks, by the way, for a fantastic post - it's great to get a well-informed local perspective on these races.
May 9, 2008 8:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I must beg to differ on the negative ad issue. Moore came from way behind and closed to within a few points of Perdue when they were both negative. When she pulled her negative ads and said she wasn't doing it anymore becuase it wasn't her, she took off again and he never caught back up. (And, just at the level of appreciating a hand well played, you've got to love the bind she put him in--say "I'm staying negative" or say "Oh, me too, I'm going positive too." Either one's a loser for him.)
But the thing that really has me all agog was that, while all of the attack ads were old-time NC down in the muck with misleading half-truths and semi-slanders in the worst tradition of Jesse Helms, he was attacking her from the left and, before she stopped, she was attacking him from the left.
Two candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor of North Carolina were claiming the other wasn't liberal enough and don't think for a moment that their polling didn't tell them that was the way to run. That, my friends is Year of Jubilee and Jubilation stuff. A sign that the long delayed Millennium is, at last, at hand.
Unless, that is, Hillary decides that in these final hours, she’d rather run as the candidate of the Democratic Nationalist White People’s Party than allow any Democrat but her to become president, of course. A lot depends on whether yesterday’s atrocious-sounding comment was a fatigue induced muddle or a new campaign theme. If she repeats it, we’ll know it’s the latter and, yes, as Peggy Noonan said, the white female supers in her camp are going to have to be the ones who shut her down for the good of the Party, the nation and for whatever tattered remnants of her reputation can be salvaged from the wreckage.
May 9, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I totally agree that something has changed in North Carolina politics when two Democrats are trying to be more liberal than the other, even in a primary. (such as when Moore announced he was opposing a new coal fired power plant - wooing environmentalists - and two hours later Perdue announced "me too!").
You might be right about the effect of her going positive but I think she was always the frontrunner and as the election neared that fact just solidified. It's good campaigning though - if you're the leader you don't need to sling mud as much. And when you're behind you're going to throw a lot at your opponent until something sticks.
May 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have worked in an organization that transformed from a good old boy network to a good old girl network and let me say that the good old girl network is just as bad as a good old boy network. Neither one appreciate merit. The only thing that counts is loyalty, loyalty, and more loyalty. It is really discouraging to see organizational resources dolled out to those who are willing to exchange loyalty for the resources necessary to do their job.
May 9, 2008 8:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Women didn't win. Their only chance to get to the oval office was passed by. Good bye for another few generations.
May 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
**You don't think much of women, do you? There's only ONE capable of winning the White HOuse? Puhleeeeze.......
May 9, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not at all...There are many many women that are capable to be President. Wasn't my point. You know it. No need to try and spin this any other way.
May 9, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't get why, if this particular woman doesn't win this particular election, that means that women won't have a chance "for another few generations".
There's a certain bitterness to finding that, despite all the hard work, the first ever female candidate doesn't make it all the way. Even though I endured years of gender discrimination as a gender pioneer to get to where I am, I was able to break through because of women like Hillary. But it's beyond reductionist to jump to the conclusion that this means it's 20 years off.
The word "generations" doesn't mean much anymore. At 49, I'm technically in the "Boomer" generation, but my cohort's experience--post-hippie, post-Kennedy, post-King, post-Vietnam, post-Nixon--is nothing like theirs. The history of the feminist movement, like any civil rights movement, is that each succeeding wave of women have gotten further than the preceding wave. And we're talking about increments of 5 years, maybe 10. If she loses, Hillary will have been second place to win the nomination. That's effin' incredible, as incredible as it is that Obama is likely to win. And I believe there’s every probability that we’ll have a female president in 8 years. At the very least, in 2012 we’ll have a couple of viable female candidates, and almost certainly a female VP.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/opinion/09faludi.html?ref=opinion
And as to the idea that we women who've benefited from the struggles of those who went before us owe it to Hillary to support her no matter what--I'm sorry, that doesn’t make sense. I thought they struggled to allow women to live the life they choose. They taught me that although I am owed nothing, I can earn everything. So why is Hillary "owed" my support?
I am very sorry that Hillary hasn't made it. I would have voted for her if I still believed that she is the woman I thought she was--liberal, confident, irascible, free-thinking, tough but compassionate, and rational. But she now claims to stand for things that frankly scare me. And I’m done—completely done—with the politics of fear. As a Democrat, she should have known better.
May 9, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holy crap! Are they sending them all away for several decades? When are they leaving? Is it before Sunday? I've still got time to cancel those roses I ordered for my mom. It's really a shame, though, because next weekend, I was supposed to go out on the all-important third date with that girl I met on the elevator in my office building.
May 9, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
as he ordered a Pabst Blue Ribbon
Obama drinks PBR? I love it. And they want to call him an elitist.
May 9, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Raleigh News & Observer blogged about his choice in adult beverage: http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/obamas_choice_of_drink_in_raleigh
May 9, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
The HQ for Pabst Brewing Co. is outside of Chicago. They don't brew their own beer anymore; Miller does it on a contract basis.
May 9, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Who knew he was a devotee of the Teachings of Frank Booth.
May 9, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Women kicked ass in North Carolina on Tuesday night. Bev Perdue is a strong Obama supporter, FWIW.
A female candidate not named Hillary Clinton will have a great shot at the White House in 2016. To suggest that Hillary is "the only hope" for putting a woman in the White House is ridiculous. Frankly, I always thought a Clinton candidacy would hurt the cause for the next generation of female White House contenders (Napolitano, Sebilius) if and when she lost handily in November. The next female candidate won't start the general ection campaign with over 50% negatives.
Back to the story at hand, I was a poll watcher at a West Raleigh precinct. My best story was the very old black woman who voted around 9 am. She was probably almost 100, and needed the assistance of 2 relatives and a walker to make her way to the ballot box. Her head was held high, with a palpable sense of determination and pride. Assuming she grew up in the South, she probably lived over half her life under Jim Crow, not able to vote or even eat at many lunch counters. But she lived long enough to see a black man clinch the nomination by decisively winning a Southern state (home of Jesse Helms, no less), and to be a part of it. A yound black woman working the polls teared up as she shuffled out of the polling place.
Looking forward, NC could have a perfect storm in November. Female and "Down East" voters will be highly mobilized to turn out for Bev Perdue. Black voters will be highly mobilized to turn out for Barack Obama. With the camnpaigns on friendly terms (unlike typical Presidential years), you could see much less ticket splitting. It just might be enough to boost Obama and even Hagan into office. McCrory is a good candidate, but he is from Charlotte (as is the GOP LG candidate). Whereas the Dems also got their best LG candidate (Walter Dalton), who also provides geographical balance (he's a State Senator from western NC).
May 9, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I dearly hope that the elderly lady lives to see his inauguration.
May 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like there were a lot of stories like yours. Here's one of a 97 year old black woman who voted in the NC primary, casting a ballot for the first time in her life: http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1060363.html
I'll be very surprised if Hagen beats Dole - but a huge Dem turnout could certainly get her close. Hagen really needs to surround herself with some quality campaign staff, something she failed to do in the primary.
But don't get me started on Walter Dalton for Lt. Governor. He's a horrible legislator who does the bidding of big business at every opportunity. He's constantly opposing progressive reforms. The only way that he gets my vote is the fact that his GOP opponent is 10x worse.
Still, I feel more optimistic about Democrats chances across the state this year than ever before. If the Obama camapign does indeed put time and money here, the Democratic turnout will be off the charts. And I don't see the right wingers getting mobilized and excited by the McCain and McCrory campaigns (neither are quite the zealots they desire.)
May 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I think it is important to note that big business is under the "big tent" of the NCDP. Which is part of the reason why Dems have a stranglehold on state politics. I think it's fair to include at least one "business wing" candidate on the statewide ticket (and at least one from WNC). LG is the best place on the ticket to do that. Dalton will also likely be too old to run for Governor in 2016 (Janet Cowell, maybe?), so I don't see any downside.
Overall, there are lots of progressives on the 2008 ticket. And for the first time in recent history, it won't be running from the Presidential campaign - but running WITH it. If Dalton plays ball and scares up western votes for Perdue and Obama, then I will be tickled pink with him.
One should also note that the only times NC has elected a GOP governor were when big business left the tent for a moderate Republican (Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin). McCrory is cut from similar cloth, so we need to not lose the business wing. Of course, Martin and Holshouser had the national wind at their backs, which McCrory won't have. I'd bet Perdue wins 53/47, as of today.
May 9, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep - I don't see McCrory winning either. I won't bet on any Charlotte politicians winning a statewide race until I see it happen.
May 9, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
A woman will not be given a shot to run for the Presidency in our lifetimes. Forget about it. Democratic Party will have succesfully driven Gender Rights back to the 60's. Congrats.
May 9, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why? Because the party didn't skip the whole primary process and just give the nomination to Hillary because she's a woman?
May 9, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Glass ceiling my friend. Its there and its real.
May 9, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, glass ceilings exist. But they're getting rarer. And H. Clinton's campaign has put a sizable dent in the federal executive one, rather than the other way around. (In my opinion.)
May 9, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give your candidate her due. People can say what they want about Hillary Clinton (and I have), but what her candidacy in this race has done for the prospects of having a female president in the relatively near future is immeasurable. Clinton has accomplished in this election so much of the trailblazing work that was necessarily in store for the first viable female presidential candidate that everyone who comes after her will owe her a debt of gratitude.
I don't think I like Clinton very much as a person(based on what one can discern from the cheap seats), but she's struggled with a lot of things in this campaign and made sure that many more voters in the future won't balk at the idea of a woman in the Oval Office.
May 9, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please ... I'm a woman and that is just insulting. Just because your candidate is the WRONG woman doesn't mean that the Democratic party has done irreparable damage to women in the long term. Hillary Clinton, for all her negative campaigning and serious campaign blunders, has actually increased the likelihood of women running for President in the foreseeable future (both on the Dem and Republican tickets). I wouldn't be surprised if Obama selects a female for VP, who will be in good shape to run in 2016. I think a great many barriers have been broken with this historic primary, and I just don't see that the party has set women back just because Hillary wasn't coronated the way you think she should be.
May 9, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Carol, I disagree. But, continue bashing Hillary all you want. It just proves my point.
May 9, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Carol
Sebelius is my first choice for VP
me thinks Yoda is good.....hmmm
May 9, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh... BULLSHIT!
Enough of the lame-ass whine. If the Dems don't find another woman to run for president the next time, it's because they put all their eggs in the Hillary basket. And Hillary, Penn, Bill, etc. let those eggs spoil. Or threw them at their various enemies.
It'd be great to have a woman president -- just not the pandering phony Hillary Clinton. We need to find a woman with true strength next time.
May 9, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
VP Napolitano or Sebelius will be the odds-on favorite in 2016. Bet on it.
May 9, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great post, Yoda.
This; "the combination of many colleges, growing educated population, strong African American registration rates, and a solid Democratic political machine..." means NC is a formula for success that Democrats need to emulate in every state.
VP? Sebelius!
She could be effective at more than one cabinet post, from Ag to Ed to Commerce. Check out her strong points in each of those, she has covered a lot territory in her specialties. So might I suggest that versatility qualifies her for the VP spot?
"And she's lassoed a whole lotta tuskers for a muleskinner."
May 9, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey all, I have a post about my experience working in NC as well. A bit more personal than this one, but a nice complement. Check it out!
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/personal-anecdotes-from-durham.php
Cheers.
May 9, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks faberocity for sharing your story too.
May 9, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, but I should have put my comments here at the bottom. Here's the link that sets out the gist of it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/opinion/09faludi.html?ref=opinion
May 9, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for regional insight and personal experience, Yoda! I'm sure you'll get your reward for skipping the bar (eventually).
May 9, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
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