Anyone who's been around here for any length of time knows I'm not happy that two of our top Democratic stars are competing for governor, instead of one of them running for Senate. More to the point, I've been worried that the contest between Perdue and Moore would prove to be long and nasty.
Well, it hasn't been long yet, but it surely has gotten nasty.
In fact, Tom Jensen, in a post earlier this year lamented the tone the race was taking then.
Perdue and Moore have each done a lot of great work for North Carolina during their time in statewide office and have solid, thoughtful ideas for the future of our state. Moore has been a tremendous leader on financial issues not just here but on a national basis, and Perdue has traditionally been a strong leader on military and education issues.
They would be well served to quit the banal bickering that is antagonizing many Democrats across the state and focus instead on the positive work they intend to do if elected Governor. There’s plenty of time for in-fighting at a more appropriate juncture, like maybe next March, right before the election.
And while he took both candidates to task, much of his criticism was reserved for Moore, who has come out of the blocks with a more aggressive posture than Perdue. Early in the year, in fact, a couple of Moore minions were trolling here at BlueNC, and one in particular, attacked me personally in a way that was both insulting and uninformed.
More recently, the Moore campaign challenged the NC Association of Educators to delay its endorsement process until Perdue made her candidacy official. They declined, and endorsed Perdue this past weekend.
On the heels of that challenge, Moore today questioned Perdue's standing on the issue of abortion rights. Or should I say, Moore's spokesperson did the dirty work.
I am uncomfortable with Beverly Perdue's wavering position on choice," writes Stephanie Dorko, finance director for state Treasurer Richard Moore, who faces Perdue in next May's Democratic primary for governor. "Over the course of her public career, she has taken a variety of conflicting positions on a women’s right to choose."the dirty work.
With all due respect, Ms. Stephanie Dorko is full of crap.
Back before I was a pain-in-the-ass blogger, I contributed some early money to the Perdue campaign. Mostly I did that on the recommendation of my wife, who has chaired the board of Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina for the past three years. So in view of the Moore campaign's challenge, I asked the Perdue campaign a few questions today and talked with my friends and contacts in the pro-choice community. Here is what I learned:
In the Vote Smart questionnaire that Moore is all upset about, Perdue checked-off support for a woman's right to choose throughout the first trimester. That's the exact same position Moore took two years earlier in another Vote Smart questionnaire.
Perdue has publicly declared that Roe v. Wade in its totality must be defended and has pledged to do so as North Carolina's next Governor.
Perdue has worked on campaigns for pro-choice candidates and organizations, including Julia Boseman, Elaine Marshall, Alma Adams, Linda Coleman and Greer Beaty.
In the 2006 elections, Perdue was spokesperson for the NC affiliates of Planned Parenthood and NARAL's joint GOTV calling operations.
Perdue was the keynote speaker at NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina's annual gala.
This year Perdue spoke out in favor legislation that would ensure victims of rape or incest have access to emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.
The list goes on, but the point is clear: there is no senior elected official in North Carolina who knows more, does more, and cares more about reproductive rights than Beverly Perdue.
Do I think Beverly Perdue is perfect? Absolutely not. In fact, I have one big misgiving about her: she voted for the god-forsaken lottery. And I don't much like all her pandering to the military. But I have also resolved not be a single-issue voter ever again. And for plenty of other reasons, I'm leaning toward Perdue in this primary.
First, I think Perdue will compete more effectively against either Fred Smith or Bill Graham. (Bob Orr is the most intelligent and thoughtful of the three R's, which means he doesn't stand a chance when the lunatic fringe turns out in the Republican primary.)
Second, Perdue's hands-on experience in public education should allow her to cut through the bullshit when it comes pushing for systematic improvements.
Third, I have good friends who are advising Perdue on environmental issues, and she's taking their advice very seriously. She appears to know how to listen.
Fourth, I trust her to defend abortion rights.
And last, Richard Moore's campaign is starting to annoy me with these sophomoric attacks.
As I said above, I contributed to Perdue's campaign early on, but that doesn't mean my mind is 100% made up. Moore's a smart guy and is obviously going to run a very aggressive campaign. I just wish his staff had a little more class.
Updated to include a little more class. :)
Comments
Forgot to add . . .
Based on spending a lot of time around here, I'd say BlueNC regulars are divided on who to support, with a majority leaning in favor of Moore at this stage.
I have a very close friend who works directly for Richard Moore, and he's convinced I'll come around as the campaign unfolds. That certainly possible, but the way things are going right now, it seems unlikely.
Nothing like a lie about one's opponent to
get people steamed up. Moore's paid "concern troll" must be using the Republican playbook.
SE NC Dems
Stan Bozarth
Both are Dot.com Democrats
I wish someone else was running in the Democratic primary besides these two.
I've been underwhelmed by Perdue's campaign...
or lack thereof. She is playing good old boy politics, getting all the big money, old boys in the state to back her campaign. What about us? You kinda assume maybe we are an afterthought, you know, the voters?
It's not like she isn't running, she raised a ton of money in the first half, but she didn't bother doing it with US.
Then again, I'm not set on Moore either. I'm open.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
She's running
No question about that. But I'm not sure what you mean by "SHE didn't bother doing it with US." Neither did HE.
My wife gets letters and fundraising appeals from Perdue every reporting cycle - and I get some myself. Plus there are house-party fundraising events going on all the time. Ironically, I don't remember getting anything from Moore, despite the fact that my name is probably on every donor list between here and heaven.
More to the point, neither candidate is managing an effective web-based strategy, which is disappointing. You'd think both would be eager to engage with a major statewide progressive blog like BlueNC, and would be busy laying the groundwork for the primary crunch. But then again, maybe we're too pushy to suit their sensibilities. From what I can tell, both campaigns have a high degree of "command and control" - which means the chaos out here on the tubes is probably a bit disconcerting.
Moore spoke well at the NCDP SEC meeting this past weekend
I don't recall a whole lot of substance, but then it was basically a rah-rah moment. I wonder if they are taking turns as Moore was not at the last SEC meeting in Jan, but Perdue was.
I'll support either one wholeheartedly and I agree that it is a shame that one of them isn't looking to show Dole the door.
Person County Democrats
I actively oppose gerrymandering. Do you?
Hello James...I am somewhat troubled by your commentary....
If Moore is so very willing, through his staffers, to begin a negative campaign so very early in the election calander, it does not bode well for the Democrats who will eventually be put into the position of appearing to be "firing" back. These kinds of things become ammunition for the Republicans who will capitilize on any ill-will between two powerful Democrats.
Personally, and I do not mind saying it, notwithstanding some unexpected revelation, I will support Beverly. I have spoken to her, listened to her and followed her behavior as it relates to the issues.
I have listened to Moore's speeches, read his literateture and spoke to at least on of his staffers who seemed to have no clue as to the primary issue beliefs of his boss. Was not impressed.
Maybe Beverly should get out there a little more.
Marshall Adame
2014 U.S. Congress Candidate NC-03
This is what I hate about the primaries
Democrats fighting Democrats. (not you, Marshall - Moore and Perdue.) I'm frustrated by Perdue's non-committal stance. For heaven's sake, everyone knows she's going to run. Why not just declare and be done with it? I'm also frustrated by this tack by Moore's staff to be negative about someone who is legally not yet a candidate. Jeebus, can it be so hard to just tell us why you'd be a good Governor, and let We The People decide who is the best Democrat to represent us?
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
I am conflicted in this race
First of all I like both candidates. You and I disagree on two issues one is that I strongly support the lottery. But on the issues of this topic I am in a bind, for unlike you on the issue of abortion, I am pro life, I know it is not a popular position with all Democrats but it is what I am, since you oppose the lottery which is also a position that goes against most Democrats I hope you understand. Purdue as a state senator courted the pro life vote and back then was proud of her votes on what she called reasonable restrictions. Now she has changed her tune and this bothers me, Moore when he ran for congress in 1994 also gave indications he could support what he called reasonable abortion restrictions but unlike Purdue he never actually voted for any while he was in the legislature. So in the end I am just trying to see which candidate I can live with the best but as of now I am undecided.
Her record as a state Senator contradicts what Perdue
supports now? That will be held against her. Most of what comes out as negative for Perdue is from her public life. I don't care how far in the past it is. It's valid to review it. She changed her beliefs/views/feelings about an issue? I don't see that as all bad. I do hope that candidates grow and change as they mature in and out of public life. They should be willing to adjust their views as they learn new information and as society changes. These changes should be something that can be documented or explained and not just simple election year pandering. If James is right, as he often is, I imagine we would find evidence that Perdue supports a woman's right to choose and has for some time.
Something bothers me though about Perdue. She has been touted as the "establishment" and/or "good ol' boy" candidate and in NC those candidates don't always have the strongest pro-choice records. There are too many contradictions with all these labels I'm seeing applied to Perdue. Personally, I think it's time for the good ol' boy network to die a quick and painless death.
I'd rather support someone who isn't going to schmooze with the good ol' boys to get things done. North Carolina might finally have a chance to pull ourselves out of the back of the pack where we firmly reside in so many areas.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
One of the things that I *like* about the race
is that it hasn't been suggested to me that I should support Perdue because we share a gender. I think that's an enormous step forward, taken almost invisibly.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
That'll take some doing . . .
You'll have to vote for Mike Munger then, because this list has more insiders, bankers, realtors, developers and corporate executives than you can shake a stick at. Don't kid yourself about Perdue being the good-old boy and Moore being some outside-the-beltline angel. They're both insiders from ground up.
I'm not kidding myself
You were the one who touted Perdue's good ol' boy credentials
.......and someone in the press is referring to her as "the establishment" candidate.(I know I read it, but for the life of me can't find it.....maybe on Binker's blog?) I'm not making these distinctions and as far as I can tell, the campaigns haven't either. I'm just paying attention to what others are saying and trying to learn from that.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Got it.
I do think Perdue is more firmly connected in local political networks than Moore, and she can chew the fat with the best of them. So I certainly stand by my statement.
That said, I don't mean to imply that Moore is the consummate outsider. A quick review of his supporters suggests, if anything, that he could be the preferred candidate of heavy-hitting business interests. Frankly, I've seen enough of that game to last a few lifetimes.
If Moore were the consummate outsider, I'd be supporting him.
.........................
I think I saw the same "establishment" comment somewhere too, and remember laughing out loud.
He has pretty hair
I gotta go with that. :)
Just so you know how I really make my decisions.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
He sent me a Christmas card
That's good enough for me...
We are so shallow :)
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
You remember correctly.
They were saying that Perdue was raising all her money in state from the "network" and that Moore was raking in Wall Street money.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Let's don't forget
that she has been a close friend of Carolyn Grant's for years - her words. Oh yeah, and Carolyn Grant is also a good friend of Vernon Robinson's. She had a fund raiser for him last year and sponsored one for Beverly Perdue. Yep, I hold grudges.
Lovex7
That's interesting
I'm not sure if you can equate Bev Perdue with Vernon Robinson because the same person held fund raisers for each of them, but it is definitely worth keeping in mind, keeping an eye on.
I'd hate to be in politics and have to raise money constantly. You'd have to lie down with too many dirty dogs and get up with too many fleas.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
I don't have any love lost for Vermin
but I prefer to think Grant may had a moment of integrity when she supported Perdue. That happens you know.
It doesn't look like Perdue waivered though
in a comment at the Dome, a woman with Planned Parenthood links to a Charlotte O article from '95.
It clearly states that Perdue is and has been pro-choice.
So.....both campaigns come out stinkers in my book. The Moore camp is distorting the facts for political gain and Perdue played politics (pandered for votes) with the state abortion fund. [In her defense, her actions probably provided political cover for a good number of Dems in conservative districts.]
Um...Mike Munger for Governor?
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Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Thanks for the quote
Its good to know that the craziness that went on in the senate this year is not new behavior.
I have
seensaid that before"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
More on the race
from Stateline
What I would have preferred to read....
Is that so much to ask?
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
A few quick points
I've been away on family stuff, and when I tried to post this a few days ago it was eaten by BlueNC - and I was using Firefox!
Anyway, Bev and Richard have different answers on the questionnaire from so-long-ago-it-doesn't-really-matter. Richard's answers are less insulting, but neither had great answers. Bev has a mixed response you could read either way:
Richard's response, two years earlier with a slightly different set of responses:
For the record, Bev is not the leading elected official on reproductive rights in our state. That's just spin. Look, for one example, at the (consistent) 100% ratings that Mel has from groups like NARAL.
Speaking of NARAL, they had this to say:
Good enough for me. I support Moore over Perdue because Moore has a long list of concrete succeses as a public official: Floyd Recovery, pioneering practical technology for law enforcement, growing and strengthening our pension fund, leading the fight for a higher minimum wage, and fiscal responsibility. I haven't seen that level of success in the legislature, or with education in North Carolina. Both candidates will be great for women, compared to the other options or the current governor ... though minimum wage increases certainly help women more than men. Both campaigns are going to do things we don't agree with. The Moore Campaign has to be aggressive, and it's probably the right strategic move for Perdue to wait and sit on her lead. At this stage, confrontation is risky.
Now, I think some people have been unfair to Stephanie Dorko, since she wasn't the one responsible for her personal response going around to so many people ... but she works on the campaign so the e-mail is going to be treated as a campaign message, now matter how short the original list of recipients was (full disclosure: Ms. Dorko has been a friend of mine since the Bowles campaign).
Nonetheless, what doesn't get mentioned as much on this site are the pedantic attacks on Moore by the Lt. Governor's campaign. For example, Bev's campaign trying to get RTB and the UTD to change Moore's Hurricane Floyd story - i.e., his leadership experience in a time of crisis - to one about the "profits" he made from a book. And who can forget the "Richard Moore could possibly have a conflict of interest with campaign contributions and the pension fund" story that the Perdue campaign pushed. It was an unfair smear, given Moore's pretty amazing record with the fund, but it did its job and lead to far too many "Does Treasurer Moore have a conflict of interest?" headlines. Both campaigns are on the attack, and we should keep them both in line so that we don't have the party enmity that led to Gov. Jim Martin (R-NC) and Gov. Jim Holshouser (R-NC) sneaking past a divided Democratic Party.
These titans have had these plans for a long time. They both honestly believe that they have the best vision for our state, and they both listened to the common wisdom at the time when they started putting everything together in early '06: Liddy was going to be too hard to beat. Bev and Richard have been planning this since I was in high school.
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
We should keep them both in line so that we don't have the party
I'd say it's too late for that. From all I know, the hostility is palpable - and the peanut galleries on both sides are shaping up to mirror the flame wars between Clinton, Obama, and Edwards supporters on Kos. And THAT's pretty darn ugly.
Well
I hope we don't see that here.
I honestly haven't decided on the Governor's race. I realize that this is the most important office in the state, but gahd. I must confess that I'm beginning to feel a bit let down, and I want to tell Moore and Perdue - eh, get over it. One of you will win. The race is not exciting to me - it seems a snooze-fest, either way it will be a politics as usual race, and I'm sick to death of that crap. I'm far more interested in the race for Lt. Governor. At least some of those candidates are interested enough in we the people to engage on different levels, and actually show their faces at local events.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi