Dan Besse's blog

It's sad but true: It's money time for the fall campaigns. A key reporting deadline is this Monday, June 30.

Thanks for a Constitution which withholds absolute power from the political panics of the day--and for a Supreme Court majority which can still recognize exceptional injustice when it slaps them in the face.

I've just said this in an email, and I want to say it directly to all my BlueNC friends:

THANK YOU to everyone who supported my run for the office of North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor!

We can act now to channel over $1 billion into local government efforts to improve energy efficiency, lower energy usage, and reduce fossil fuel emissions.

It was an ambush by power company viewpoints at the National League of Cities' Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Policy & Advocacy Committee this afternoon.

Have you heard the word from your friendly neighborhood power company? An industry "astroturf" outfit wants the support of your elected officials.

The Smathers campaign has responded to my invitation to join me at the NAACP's "HKonJ" rally and march in Raleigh on February 9. Pat will come or send son Zeb.

No word yet from the others.

Pat, Walter, and Hampton--

I know that we have differences among us on some very important policy points, including questions related to energy, pollution control, and budget policy. However, I believe that we all share a basic commitment to the fundamental Democratic ideal of justice for all. I think that I know a good way for us to show that.

We have a chance to stop state funding for the ineffective and misleading, so-called "abstinence only" curricula in community teen pregnancy prevention programs. Please email the N.C. Commission on Public Health today in support of comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality and health education.

Yesterday, two of my respected opponents in the Lieutenant Governor race engaged in a rhetorical battle over their positions on several issues of genuine concern to Democrats in our state.

This presents a good moment to emphasize my own record on those important issues. In my discussion, I emphasize experience not just because of how valuable it is to an elected official in translating stated positions into effective action. I also believe that candidates' records tell you what they genuinely believe in, far more than just what they say during the heat of a campaign.

I am running on my record, as a progressive North Carolina Democrat with the record and experience to prove it.

After the jump, you'll find the issues on which my opponents engaged yesterday—and my record on them.

Frontpaged by A, with pleasure. It's very wonderful to see this kind of substantive discussion so clearly presented.