Kay Hagan

Public Policy Polling released its latest polls on Monday and Tuesday and the news is good for most Democrats.

[Update: We're up to $335! You've responded amazingly. Can we get to $500? Just another $165. We can do it! If you can swing it, send Hagan $25 right now via the Expand the Map! ActBlue page.]

[Originally posted at Senate Guru.]

Rasmussen Reports
North Carolina Senate Election
Survey of 500 Likely Voters
May 8, 2008

Dole
47%

Hagan
48%

Discuss.

I've taken a few days to digest all the post-primary chatter, and found myself distressed by the discussion as it relates to Kay Hagan and Bev Perdue. At the center of the distress is the presumption that candidates "owe" voters answers to whatever questions are asked. From where I sit, candidates don't owe voters anything. Just as we can choose or not choose to ask questions, so can they choose or not choose to answer them. I may be upset if candidates decline to answer my questions, but that's my problem, not theirs. I can either vote for them or not vote for them, but that's pretty much the extent of my power.

Which brings me to the real question: What do I do when they're silent ... or worse yet, when I don't like their answers?

On primary night I liveblogged from Southern Rail in Carrboro, where Jim Neal held his after-party. Here are some thoughts from the evening -- and observations about the big picture.

PAC Donations according to the FEC...

Kay Hagan... $146,000
Jim Neal.... ZERO

So which one is the people's candidate and which one is the special interest candidate?

There have been some discussions here recently about PACs, and whether or not it's "ethical" to accept money from them. Recently Kay Hagan made a comment about refusing donations from PACs being "unrealistic". I have to admit, while a part of me rails at this position, another part of me is almost in agreement, considering how outrageously expensive it is to run a race like the U.S. Senate.

Jim Neal and Kay Hagan on who they endorse for the NC primary. Obama or Clinton?

Well, the Democratic Primary is upon us, and I have to say it's gotten here much quicker than I thought. I had planned to do so much more in the way of helping out Jim Neal's campaign, but I fear complacency and pragmatism have kept me from following up on those plans.