Grier Martin vs. Liddy Dole in 2008?
Submitted by dnagy on Wed, 09/12/2007 - 9:59pm
In the week since Bob Geary of the Independent Weekly reported on a possible Grier Martin vs. Elizabeth Dole Senate race, a few bloggers have started to pick up the buzz. Notably, Senate 2008 Guru and liberal pontificator Daily Kos have weighed in on the possibility that Grier might jump in.
Senate 2008 Guru points out a few things which highlight Liddy's vulnerability:
Last November, Survey USA put Dole's approval-disapproval at 52-40. Just last month, the North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling put Dole's approval-disapproval at an even more vulnerable 48-41. Dole's meager approval ratings may be due, in no small part, to her reputation of being more concerned with political goingson in Washington D.C. than with constituent concerns in North Carolina. In fact, it's a bit of a stretch to say that Dole really even lives in North Carolina.
Given Liddy's vulnerability, what else gives this guy a shot? Military background. Guru notes that Martin volunteered for service in the Army after 9-11, did a tour in Afghanistan and currently holds the rank of Major in the reserves. He also serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee in the NC House.
With Martin's background we could probably expect to see him run a campaign similar to other veterans like Paul Hackett in Ohio or recently elected Senator Jim Webb in Virginia.
As Brad Miller is no longer a possibility, Martin is starting to sound like the best option for Dems in NC. Now it's just a matter of making it an official candidacy...
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I will support him
with both time and $$$
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
I hope Mr. Martin is reading this.
We're waiting, with our boots on the ground and our checkbooks at the ready. Announce so we can get to work.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
He's reading
and he's thinking it through - no question about it. If I were a bettin' man, which I'm not, I'd guess the odds are even, which is better than they are for Liddy winning re-election.
:)
dnagy
Just so you know, this isn't the first time we've talked about Grier around these parts.
:)
(Your link to the Independent isn't working.)
Great minds, sweetie!
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Link
I fixed the link. One too many http
Blue South was first :)
Just so you know......Blue South and Anglico we talking up a Grier campaign waaaay back in June. I like Bob Geary and all, but not sure I want him given credit for getting this ball rolling. I'm just sayin'......
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Grier vs. Liddy
Gotcha Blue South. I'm new to the site, but am happy to give you the credit. What's more interesting to me is what his campaign would look like...
We knew you were new
and we're very glad to see you. Any body who'll help get Mr. Martin to jump into this race is a friend of mine for sure.
Thanks for the good diary. We're seeing a ton of new readers lately, and it's always good to keep the big stories going. I forget sometimes that everybody hasn't read every post and every comment over the past 18 months (like I have).
Welcome!
Oh..yeah...we knew you weren't hanging on our every word :)
Didn't mean for it to come across as if we were picking on you. We love when new folks add their voices to the crowd. It's what makes this place so much fun. Support for candidates needs to come from many different writers. It makes a greater impact.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Please
Respect Grier and his family enough to let him decide on this.
He knows people want him to run. I think he wants to run. I know he's talking to people about it.
But people who don't put their name on the ballot often underestimate the cost of doing so, especially the cost on families with young children. So, let's take it easy on the constant pressure on Grier to run, ok?
He'll make up his mind soon, and if he runs, you'll be very pleased with the energy and effort he puts into it. I think he would win, and I've told him as much.
But he's got to be comfortable with the decision on a very personal level, and no draft Grier campaign is going to change that.
"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.
I think we're at the right place on this.
I don't sense undue pressure of nagging, and believe me, I've seen it happen in other races. Those of us who know Grier respect him enormously and I, for one, will be completely behind him whichever path he chooses. Having run for a local office myself (won once, then lost), I know what a gigantic challenge it can be to run for anything. That's why I so admire guys like Ed Ridpath and Larry Kissell, who are obviously in it for the long haul . . . and who are willing to do the hard, hard work.
I think you might misinterpret enthusiasm
I certainly wouldn't want Grier to think that the enthusiasm and support that has been expressed here and in email to him was undue pressure. Heaven knows - he's done more than his share of public service, and would have every right in the world to say - "No, I'm not willing to do it. It's not right for me this time", just as Brad Miller did.
When we post or email our support, we are trying to show him that there is support in the form of bodies and money to help him should he decide to take on Elizabeth Dole. If I were trying to make that decision, I would want to know that the grassroots - and netroots support is out there.
Personally, I'll support him if he decides to seek another term in the NC Legislature - although I'm not in his district. I like his stance; I like his integrity. If he decides to focus on other goals in his life, I won't blame him a bit, and will still offer him my sincere thanks for the service he's already given to the state and the nation.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Well Said
We supported Brad's run because we like the job he is doing now. Same with Grier. The simple fact is that both of these men are the epitome of what we want in our elected officials, and we know that they could do better than anyone else who is there now.
For both Brad and Grier, saying yes and saying no are both the right decisions, because both will continue to make an impact upon our laws and our country. The only bad choice, in my opinion, either one could make would be to leave public life any time soon.
"Keep the Faith"
Absolutely Right
Grier knows that the support is there. He knows he has a bright future. He knows that he might even be able to pull it off. But if he decides to eschew a hard race because it would put strain on his family, he would be doing the right thing. I'll stand by Grier either way.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
Link to Martin-Dole Profile
In case anybody is having trouble with the link from the post to my analysis of a Grier Martin - Elizabeth Dole race, it's:
http://senate2008guru.blogspot.com/2007/09/nc-sen-introducing-grier-mart...
Links
The links should work now....