Courage

Running for Federal or Statewide office is a consuming experience for the candidate. I have been running full time, full speed and dragging anyone willing to help, for over a year in my quest for North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District seat in Congress. I have learned so much about lots of things, but mostly about people. I could go on and on about the different types of people; caring, concerned, aggressive, timid, politically consumed, apolitical and indifferent. So many backgrounds and life experiences, but all, to some degree, products of our environment.

I have loved meeting all of the people along the campaign trail and I look forward to the many I have yet to meet. I love to hear the life stories of struggle, overcoming, heartbreaks and blessings. Without trying, they have taught me lot. There is something though that I have noted; a sort of string woven into the being, culture and fabric of North Carolinians and all Americans for that matter. People want their leaders to say what they mean and mean what they say. People in America need and want Hope.

If Gov. Sebelius can be pro-choice and anti-death penalty in Kansas, why can't our Gubernatorial candidates can be against the death penalty in North Carolina?

If an openly gay candidate can replace a disliked Republican in New Hanover County (where there are 1-2% more Democrats than Republicans), why can't an openly gay candidate can replace a disliked Republican in a state where there are a third more Democrats than Republicans)?

If Larry Kissell can come out of nowhere to within tenths of a percentage point of beating an entrenched Republican Congressman, why can't someone do the same in a harder district, in this of all years?

If this isn't the year to change America, who expects that year to ever come?