Open thread: Loud-mouth jerk edition

Betsy gave me the heads up on this interview with Bill Graham, but I don't have time to dissect it. But even a quick read suggests it's a good fit for today's open thread on loud-mouth jerks. The interview is a collection of bullshit Republican talking points, laced with the illusion of insight into nothing that matters. Bill Graham has virtually no chance of winning the Greedy Old Party nomination for governor.

He's 2nd District Chair. He's got a comfy race with Cong. Etheridge -- not much of a fight there. Even Rs in the 2nd like Bobby. If Crone doesn't want to fight for that Senate seat, what does he want to fight for?

... who is determined to fight for every seat in Congress, especially the Senate.

--
Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!

who are our enemies?

Will make an independent blog entry on it later, but this is the announcement from Delmas Parker, Democratic State 2nd vice-chair:

The Iredell County Democratic party and the Western Democratic Party Task Force will sponsor a critical political issues forum at the Iredell Public Library at 6:30 pm, on Thursday July 12. The general public is invited.

Political leaders from North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District will discuss issues and answer questions crucial to the 2008 election, among them political organization in which a challenge will be issued to each participant to organize and strategize a mythical district based on a similiar set of facts and demographic information.

Other questions will be related to health care, and American foreign policy. Iredell Democrats will question the panelists, and questions will also be taken from audience members.

Hayes McNeill, Western Task Force Chair for the NC Democratic Party, will present the political background of Western North Carolina, and set the challenge for the typical congressional district, District "X"; and Fifth District Chair, David Crawford,will introduce the panel and facilitate the program.

Expected panelists include the following: Ashe County Commissioner Gary Barber, Wake Forest Divinity graduate Ryan Eller, WSSU Communications Director Roger Kirkman, Winston-Salem architect Mark Glen, Ross Smith, WFU Debate coach,Winston- Salem businessman Spencer Hanes, and Forsyth Board of Education member, Elizabeth Motsinger,Clay Hipp, Professor Wake Forest University.

The Iredell County Democratic Party invites the local community to join the Fifth District community in examining the critical issues facing the district in the 08 election cycle.

For more information on this event, please contact Delmas Parker at
delmasparker@triad.rr.com 336-778-1843

Visit DebateScoop
Be the Democrat you want to see.

You'll notice that Mr. Crone goes on to say:

But Crone said that his party should instead focus on keeping control of the governor’s mansion and General Assembly or further increasing its hold on the state’s U.S. House delegation.

He makes his living off of state races, so it makes sense that he wants the donations and dollars to go to those races. If you see it as a zero-sum game, where there are only so many dollars to go around, then that would be your attitude. Now, personally, if I were consulting for the general assembly, I would want the best Democratic candidates possible for President, Governor, Lt. Governor, A.G., U.S. Senate, and U.S. House because those are the races that will bring out the voters, many of whom will vote either straight ticket or tend to lean towards their party of affiliation.

John Edwards is great!
- Sam Spencer, BlueNC, 7/3/07

The fine progressive folks from Florida are putting their state blog together and today they are selecting a logo.

(I am #10 - Old Florida Postcard)

So go vote! (they need all the logo help they can get)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/7/9/8138/84486

--
Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!

You can't govern if you don't win. You can't win if you don't run.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

Explain this to me someone:

District "X"

a mystery district ? I want in.

I appreciate the fine words from so many good people.

Let me make my argument about Elizabeth Dole. 1968 was the last time Democrats won a U.
S. Senate seat in North Carolina during a presidential election and that was done by Senator Sam -- Sam Ervin.

Senator Robert Morgan and Senator John Edwards won their seats in off-year elections.

Here's my position on the Dole campaign. I hope State Representative Grier Martin or someone of his caliber, perhaps Senator Kay Hagan will run against her.

She is certainly defeatable but its going to take $20 million. My take is from a broader perspective in the sense of protecting the Governor's mansion, Council of State seats we have and the General Assembly.

I think you have to pick your fights strategically and attempting to mount a campaign against Senator Dole at this stage in the money game is a tall task for sure. We have to be honest with ourselves about her high name recognition factor and her "rock star" status even among many Democratic voters. Her favorable ratings show some weakness now and that's good news for the partisans.I fully believe we can keep her pinned down, prevent her from meddling in other state races and hope that the 2008 Tidal Wave that's coming will lift up the Democratic candidate whomever he or she is.

Time will tell.

By the way....this is my first post to your blog, I am a daily reader. Keep up the good work.

Brad Crone

I have a brother named Brad, so I like you already.

It was a least posted on the website.

Dems earmarking Dole for defeat in 2008
The writer is chairman, N.C. Democratic Party.

In response to "Democrats consider giving Dole free pass" (July 9):

Democrats aren't even remotely considering giving Elizabeth Dole a "free pass" next year.

After years of voting against health care for veterans, against community college students, against lower prescription drug prices and in favor of subsidies for big oil, Elizabeth Dole's record is finally catching up with her. It's no wonder Congressional Quarterly recently listed Sen. Dole among the five most vulnerable Republican senators.

North Carolinians deserve a clear choice in November 2008. And Democrats plan to give it to them.

Jerry Meek

- - - - -
Where Liddy At?
Where is Liddy?
Anyone seen Liddy?

1968 was the last time Democrats won a U.
S. Senate seat in North Carolina during a presidential election and that was done by Senator Sam -- Sam Ervin.

I didn't know he was from NC until this year when I was teaching Watergate.

She is certainly defeatable but its going to take $20 million.

You know - I really hate seeing $$ always being the lowest common denominator - because it's common.

Each One Reach One works magnificently well - but only if you have a candidate. THAT is the biggest bog in the Bendix.

Where is our Candidate?

The issue is not Liddy... The issue, if you are considering "giving her a pass", is War & Peace..Its health care for every American... Its Poverty in America... It is the continued spying on innocent American citizens ... The issue is leadership, vision and national purpose! Are you willing to give a pass to these issues?
Liddy will get a fee pass back to whatever state she came from (not NC).

Dole doesn't deserve a free pass to another 6 years in the Senate. Democrats need to fight for this seat, just like any other.

It does not necessarily take $20 million - that's B.S. Look what a certain high school teacher did in NC-08 last year despite being widely outspent...