Jim Neal for US Senate

Grier Martin just called and said he is not running for US Senate, choosing instead to stay in the state House and, more important, to stay with his family. I'm terribly disappointed, but I also understand completely. I'm sure he'll stop by and give you the scoop himself.

In the meantime, I'm going to turn my attention and support to Jim Neal. I've been asking around about him and folks have nothing but good things to say, which is encouraging.

So there you have it. No primary, no diversions.

In 13 months, North Carolinians will have the chance to vote between a missing-in-action Bushbot named Biddy Dole and a solid progressive Democrat named Jim Neal.

Let's get crackin' folks.

Comments

Good thing I didn't bet a lot

when I bet Grier was running . . .

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

Whew

I'm really glad Neal is running . . . because now I don't have to. And you have no idea how lucky we all are that I'm not going to be the candidate.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

We had the same thought, but you have connections.

I had to wait to hear it from others!

About Jim Neal:

Okay, let's start finding out about this guy. From the N&O Biography page.

Political Career

Neal volunteered for the presidential campaigns of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

In 2004, he worked as a fundraiser for Erskine Bowles' unsuccessful Senate campaign.

In 2006, he took a year off from work to be the full-time fundraiser for retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark's presidential campaign. When Clark dropped out of the race, Neal went to work for U.S. Sen. John Kerry's campaign.

In October of 2007, Neal announced he would run for the Democratic nomination to face off against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

First thing I can tell you, his website has no contact information. Fix that Jim.

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

He's making a good choice for the best reasons

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

What have YOU done today to elect a Democrat?

Thomas

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

damn

"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire

My response, exactly.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

Geez

Jim Neal may be a great candidate and go on to be a great U.S. Senator ... but let's just spend a moment to reflect that, in North Carolina, we could not field ONE....ONE!!!!....top tier candidate to run against Sen. Dole. I think this is sad on so many levels.

I'd be happy to hear everyone's thoughts on why you think no one decided this race was for them. Is it b/c they don't want to "lose" their jobs in 2008 in case they are not successful, so everyone wanted to hedge their bets on 2010? Is it just too expensive to run a statewide campaign? Do we not have any candidates that would win well statewide? Are we (meaning elected officials and state party) not doing enough (or anything) to groom future candidates? Is it the DSCC?

...okay, moment over, Jim Neal for Senate!

You just did publicly what I did in my own brain

It's truly mind-boggling.

Any one of Basnight, Easley, Cooper, Moore or Perdue could have beat the crap out of Liddy. My take is they all have other agendas. Basnight = King of the NC Senate. Easley = golf. Cooper = ?. Moore = Governor > President. Perdue = Governor > retire.

Who knows the real motivations, but I can't really fault any of them. That said, it's a sad commentary that none of our career politicians have stepped up. Yet.

Until they do, my response is simple: Make lemonade. Here we have a smart, successful businessman running against one of the most incompetent old hacks the Party of Greed has to offer. And he actually lives in North Carolina, unlike our Very Senior Senator from DC.

We'll make it work.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

Fine, I'll fault them then

Any one of Basnight, Easley, Cooper, Moore or Perdue could have beat the crap out of Liddy. My take is they all have other agendas. Basnight = King of the NC Senate. Easley = golf. Cooper = ?. Moore = Governor > President. Perdue = Governor > retire.

Heck yes, I'll fault them. They are supposedly working as public servants to do good things for the public, not to further their own careers. They are all chicken. NC has a rep for voting for republicans for senate; Edwards is the lone exception in recent times. None of them are willing to take a chance; they are playing it safe. Martin with young children, ok not bad.

No friggin' guts. I am not optimistic. Somebody say something nice about Neal, please.

Person County Democrats

I actively oppose gerrymandering. Do you?

It's about Washington

Our failure to find an experienced candidate may say less about the state of our party than it says about Washington.

Being part of the world's most exclusive club used to mean public servants could work to craft really meaningful public policy. Rightly or wrongly, it's now viewed as a politically inert bunch of empty suits whose only skill is holding press conferences.

Think about it... who really is able to get more done- the President Pro Tempore of the state senate or a freshman Democratic U.S. Senator?

Hell, I'd run myself. I'm a DREAM candidate- if you work in Republican opposition research.

Yeah, that could have something to do with it.

I like to think that a job is what you make of it. Wasn't Paul Wellstone a freshman senator? I am not sure of his legislative accomplishments, but he is still an inspiration to many young would be public servants.
While I am sure that Marc Basnight has huge influence on what legislation gets passed in NC, he can't do a darn thing to get us out of Iraq, fix or scrap NCLB, work on a comprehensive national energy/climate policy or any other national policy that affects NC.

I am not trying to be disagreeable, just disappointed.

Person County Democrats

I actively oppose gerrymandering. Do you?

this comment is really unfair

First, we don't have a "right" to have these people run for Senate. THey get to choose.

Second, these people have all actually put their names on a ballot, an act that takes quite a bit of courage, certainoly more courage than it takes to hide behind pseudonyms on the web and call people cowards.

Third, every one of those people you mentioned actually has a job they were elected to do or have decided to run for something else and are sticking to it. Imagine that, politicians feeling like they ought to do the job they were elected to do. Amazing. This statement in particular:

"They are supposedly working as public servants to do good things for the public, not to further their own careers" is ridiculous, since you are essentially asking any of these people to put aside their current job and, guess what, FURTHER THEIR OWN CAREER.

Self-contradict much?

Fourth, unless you were ready to step up and donate the full legal amount, and raise similar amounts from your friends and colleagues, you have absolutely no basis calling people gutless because they didn't want to spend the next 14 months on the phone 10 hours a day raising money.

Fifth, as for Grier in particular -- and I admit some bias here as he is a good friend of mine -- he left his family once to go get shot at in the name of his country. What have you done?

"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire

You've been making a lot of good points lately

The second Grier started talking about his family at S-H, and I looked into his eyes, I knew he wasn't running because he knew what the right thing was. I admire him for his decision.

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

You know you just couldn't have realized that I'm

a bit bummed as I wrote ...

I'm not trying to be disagreeable. Just disappointed.

But NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo, not Mr. Self-righteous gotta slap down the guy who dared express his OPINION.

First - never said they did. Don't put words in my mouth.

Second - Agreed, which I am (95% certain) about to do. And I may have a pseudonym (as do many people around here), but I don't hide. If you frequent these boards and can use Google you should have no trouble figuring out who I am.

Third - What does that have to do with anytning I wrote??? Oh and they won't further their careers if they LOSE. Which is what I said they were afraid of. e.g. Purdue and Moore both know that the next governor will likely be a democrat, so they go for gov. then the senate race in 2010 is the fall back position for the loser. Calculated, planned, political and safe.

Fourth - Oh, you really screwed up here. In the last month I have attended 3 teen dem meetings (I am the advisor), spent 4 saturdays walking neighborhoods, helped plan and attended a very successful county house party, attended a county executive committe meeting, donated 200 dollars to my local party, attended a campaign kickoff for our local state rep and donated to same. That's in the last month. What have you done???

Fifth - I gave Grier Martin a pass as I mentioned that he had young kids. And I have faced death every bit as much as Grier Martin, so you can just shut your yap on that account. At least you can wear body armor or duck a bullet. You let me know how you duck tumors that come out of nowhere to a 19 year old athlete that did everything right.
Also, I walk neighborhoods that many lighter skinned residents of my county would avoid doing GOTV. Three weeks ago I walked past closed own crack houses with police warning signs trying to drum up votes for our dem municipal candidates.

I still saythey are playing it safe, perhaps for decent reasons like Martin with his young family, but this state needs a player who ain't afraid of the game, a player who will stand up for NC and take Dole down. NOW is the time for one of them to step up and help fix the great mess this country is in. Tthey weren't up to it, and if I want to be disappointed in them then I have that right. You can just get over it.

Oh yeah, I'm reallly hiding. Look below.

Person County Democrats

I actively oppose gerrymandering. Do you?

To add on to Doc

At the very base of it, we don't want anyone to run who doesn't want to, regardless of the reason. This job and our party are too important for some half-hearted effort. The last thing I want is a candidate who loses badly and makes the Democratic Party look like we're running an amateur hour for national office.

Not just a businessman.

Note that he raised money full-time for John Kerry and Wes Clark. That brings Sen. Kerry's PAC into play (interesting, huh?) and also Vote Vets into the sprawl.

Add to that his connections with Erskine Bowles and what we have is probably a top tier FUNDRAISER if nothing else.

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

Thank you. I like the fund raising aspect

but hopefully all he did for Bowles was raise money. I was completely disappointed in the way the Bowles campaigns were run.
Kerry connections might not be entirely positive; that campaign made many mistakes as well.

I look forward to hearing more about Neal in the days, weeks, months, and year to come. (We have got to shorten the elector process.)

Person County Democrats

I actively oppose gerrymandering. Do you?

Don't decide quite yet

This is too big a vacuum to remain open. I'm sure somebody is still thinking about it.

Anyone seen Dennis Wicker?

"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire

Maybe

But I lean in favor of supporting people of action. Neal is stepping up . . . and that means a lot to me.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

Neal's response to the news

Via email:

NEAL CALLS ON NORTH CAROLINIANS TO UNITE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

(CHAPEL HILL) — Democrat Jim Neal, a businessman and investment banker running for the U.S. Senate, today said that the decisions by Kay Hagan and Grier Martin give North Carolinians a unique opportunity to unite for positive change

“I invite all Democrats, Independents, and moderate Republicans to join me in working for positive change,” Neal said. “Together, we can end the war in Iraq, fix our broken health care system, and protect the economic security of hardworking middle-class families.”

Neal praised both Hagan and Martin for their commitment to public service and making a difference in their communities.

“I know these were difficult decisions for them, and I hope they will feel welcome to find a home in our winning campaign for a new direction for North Carolina,” Neal said.

Neal said incumbent U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole’s support of the failed Bush-Cheney policies in Iraq and vote this month against providing health insurance to eligible North Carolina children underscores the misplaced values of Washington politicians. He called on Sen. Dole to reconsider her position on those issues and put her own state ahead of partisan politics.

The grandson of a carpenter, public school teacher and two mill workers, Neal was born in Greensboro in 1956, where he attended public school. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978. Following graduation he joined Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst. He returned to school at the University of Chicago, where he earned an MBA and worked a series of part-time jobs to pay his way through school.

As an investment banker at Salomon Brothers, Neal earned a reputation for leadership and innovative strategies while advising Fortune 500 companies on how to play successful roles in a changing global economy. He also worked as a senior investment banker with E.F Hutton and Bear Stearns, serving clients that ranged from Bank of America and American Express to Lincoln National Corporation and Transamerica.

For the past two decades, Neal has focused his career on information technology and healthcare companies, including serving as chief executive officer of RxMarketplace.com, a start-up firm that helped pharmacists offer patients prescription drugs at more affordable prices. Since 2000, Neal has led several private companies prior to founding The Agema Group, a financial advisory firm based in Chapel Hill.

Neal has continued his active involvement in nonprofit groups and political initiatives. A member of the Board of Governors of the New School from 2002 to 2006, he also served as a national finance committee member for Wes Clark for President and the Kerry-Edwards campaigns, as well as acting as a national fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Erskine Bowles in 2004.

Neal has served his community as an overnight volunteer at a homeless shelter, a lay minister to mentally ill residents of an assisted-care facility, and a sponsor of a post-war Vietnamese refugee family in alliance with the International Rescue Committee.

Neal lives in Chapel Hill with the younger of his two sons, Winston. The oldest, James, is currently working in New York City.

yeah but

End the war, get health care, economic security. All those things sound great. But Jim, what do you believe in? What would your policies look like? Would your ideal health care plan look like Edwards', Hillary's, Obama's or DK's? What is your position on Iraq? What is your impression of economics in this country and how do we fix the problems that you see?

In one sentence, what do you believe in that makes you run for US Senate? I dont want an issue, or a policy. What do you BELIEVE in?

"Keep the Faith"

I think you forgot the snark tags?

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

From Jim Neal

I'm Jim Neal and I want to introduce myself to this incredible community.

As we move forward I'm going to need the help and support of each and every one of you so we can take our seat back and retire Liddy Dole to her apartment at the Watergate.

I've spoke with Grier Martin and we are damned lucky to have a public servant of his caliber in this state. Grier has a great future ahead of him and I look forward to having him in my foxhole in this fight.

I'm a guy who has lived, worked and raised a family in the real world. I understand the issues-- very serious issues-- which confront our state and our republic. I can not do this alone folks. I'm not running out of personal ambition or political aspiration. I'm running because I believe that government can, not in all but many instances, lead the nation in making positive change which touch all of us. Liddy Dole is no leader, and she doesn't and hasn't lived in the real world for the 40-odd years of her adult life spent inside the Beltway.

I'm a fighter. I am committed and will survive the mudslinging which comes in an election year when the GOP is vulnerable, scared, without substance and rudderless. I ain't afraid of the briar patch, and I am running this race to win.

I thank you and I look forward to meeting and speaking with you.

Thanks Anglico-- your comments were quite a boost and I'm looking forward to that beer next week!

The website is a work-in-progress and contact information is at the bottom of the webpage.

Give me a call about a Mecklenburg kickoff

I'd like to parlay a nice event into a fundraising appeal. Hopefully you'll be here for THE BBQ.

Of course, it's never too early to start fundraising at ActBlue.

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

BBQ

Well, Sam, the scary truth is you are now committed to a BBQ fundraiser!

And-- we're up on ActBlue!

Gotta run to an event. Later all.

jim

cool.

Gotta run to an event.

... And he's already put Sam to work. :) ???!!! I like your style already. Jim.

He's off and running, boys and girls. Pay day is next Friday. I'll be seeing y'all at ActBlue on the 19th.

Let us know when the BBQ is, Sam.

"They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people a dollar 'n a half just to see 'em. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."

Well, we were talking about

THE BBQ ... October 25th ... the 20,000 person, inadvertently political one at Mallard Creek Pres. in Charlotte.
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

Well, shoot. My misunderstanding ... but

I distinctly read

you are now committed to a BBQ fundraiser.

Early 2008 would be perfect timing. :) I'd love to give my hard earned dollars to support Jim Neal for Senate AND get some good western NC Hickory smoked BBQ. :-D

Disclaimer: I live in Johnston County now, but I grew up in Rutherford County. A good eastern style pig pickin' is a true gastronomic pleasure, but my first food love will always be hickory wood pit smoked BBQ from western NC. :)

Very exciting news.

I'm so glad you have taken this step and I wish you a joyful campaign.

Welcome to BlueNC.

Have you called to support H. Res 333 Impeach Cheney Today? call 202-224-3121 & ask for your Congress member by name

I'm excited, is anyone else excited?

I will take what dfl said, even if with a grain of salt, because I can't wait forever for the "other shoe to drop". Now, maybe this will become the Ohio of 2004 and we'll have a very popular candidate like Easley declare at the last minute.

But, until that time, I agree with A, I like seeing someone step forward and take action.

As dfl said above, he's willing to put his name on the ballot - and that takes courage.

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

You bet I am.

It's amazing to spin from disappointment about Grier to real enthusiasm about Jim over the course of a few hours - but that's just what has happened to me.

And Jim's comments are exactly the kind of statements I've been hoping/waiting/looking for in a candidate.

North Carolina's going to get itself a new Senator, folks!

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

It called "moving on" James.

Being able to move on from one expectation to another is critical.

When knocked down, many folks just never get back up, but we Democrats from NC must overcome that sort of thing and get right back into the saddle and back in the program.

Jim, I wish you well and I am sure we will be seeing each other on the campaign trail.

Marshall Adame
2014 U.S. Congress Candidate NC-03

Jim, hope your going to tap folks from your own backyard.

Jim, looking forward to learning more about your campaign. Don't overlook the talent in your own backyard. Chapel Hill has some netizen umph that could come in handy.

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

Question for you Jim...

First let me say that has a former Clark staffer in NH, I am already predisposed to liking you. But I see something in your background that is troubling to me. Your profile on your site mentioned that you got your MBA at the University of Chicago. That school's economic program, at least, is known for its extreme neo-liberal positions and a ferver bordering on religious for free trade. While I am sure that the programs are separate, I would be surprised if there was not some over lap. What are your opinions on free trade and how would you describe your general economic positions.

---
The Great appear great because we are on our knees – Let Us Rise!
-- “Big Jim” Larkin

The Great appear great because we are on our knees – Let Us Rise!
-- “Big Jim” Larkin

I think that is a good and legitimate question.

At this point, I'll take a Bob Casey Democrat if it means we boot Elizabeth Dole, even though I'd like to see a Russ Feingold.

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

Hey, Jim!

Thanks for dropping by and talking with us. I look forward to meeting you in person, so please keep us posted on events, even the small ones. Especially the small ones. :)

Welcome!!!

THANK YOU!!!

We have been waiting for you - for someone willing to put themselves on the line and step up to truly represent NC and take on Elizabeth Dole and send her back to where ever she came from. I look forward to hearing more from you, and learning more about your positions and viewpoints.

Anytime you want to come to set something up in Pinehurst and its environs, please contact me - I will be delighted to get that going.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

Great meeting you last night!

My husband and I enjoyed meeting you last night at the fundraiser for John Edwards. You can count on our support!

Amy Goodale & Richard Johnson

(We walked up to the house party with you and your wife, hope the attic door doesn't get in your way again).

Good Luck Jim

We're all happy to finally have someone to support on here. We'll be working hard to get you to DC!

Happy to say

My first contribution has been made via ActBlue. Let's make it happen folks!

Jim Neal diary on Kos

Let's build the excitement all over the Internets.

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

I'm part of a very small demographic

of people who went to Grimsley High School in Greensboro and then went to Davidson College. So now a Davidson Wildcat isn't running, but a Page Pirate is? Ach.

Oh well, at least he went to UNC.

Now I have a good reason to update my Act BlueNC page!

Sweet!

Jim Neal at BlueNC. In my book just coming to a blog is the first step in the right direction.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Couldn't agree more.

You'd think people would learn from Larry Kissell. It was blog buzz that got Larry started.

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

What's a top tier candidate?

I'm confused. Honest, capable, ethical, willing, able to fundraise, familiar with a state-wide and/or national campaign. That's a top-tier candidate to me.

Of course, top tier might refer to people with better name recognition. But money can buy name recognition, if it's done right. And, from what I've seen in the polling, "anyone" is within ten points of Watergate Liddy without spending a penny.

News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

I'm in!

Let's make this campaign the best run campaign in NC history, and have a lot of fun along the way.

North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!

North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!

I think looking at his resume that money will come.

If money comes, then staff comes. Also, if his past means that people like Wes Clark and John Kerry come down for fundraisers.

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

With Wes Clark making the book tour circuit right now

it shouldn't be hard to get him to visit some large stores in NC, and at the same time visit events in support of Jim Neal. That should go over extremely well in this state, I think. I'm actually excited about this.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

I met Jim Neal last night at an Edwards House Party

Jim Neal was at a fundraiser last night for John Edwards. Governor Hunt spoke highly of Neal before he introduced Senator Edwards.

I'm ready to support Neal for US Senate!

Amy

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