North Carolina

This is cross-posted from Bloviations.

It was a classy touch, I thought, that the first people that Bev Perdue thanked in her remarks tonight were North Carolina's teachers. Especially given all the attention to her record on education over the past few months, it was an appropriate acknowledgement. Over on UNC-TV, I caught the tail-end of Andrew Taylor's comment that credited teachers for promoting Perdue, too. While I kept tabs on the News & Observer's website for updates, I saw this note in the AP story: "In her speech, Perdue thanked the powerful N.C. Association of Educators, who endorsed the lieutenant governor early in the campaign..."

Which reminded me all over again...

This afternoon I served as one of the co-hosts of the Jim Neal for U.S. Senate Pre-Election Party, held at the Broad Street Café here in Durham. I was there with fellow Host Committee Members Sharon Thompson, former member of the NC State House, Mandy Carter, former Campaign Manager NC Senate Vote '90 and Barbara Wujciak, LGBT Liaison for Jim Neal US Senate Campaign.

It was a great affair; most of the key roadweary campaign staffers were there, but they were pumped up about Tuesday. I also got to meet Jim's younger brother and enthusiastic booster Kelly, who worked one of the early voting precincts yesterday.

This U.S. Senate race is still up in the air, as nearly half of voters are undecided at this point, and know little about either Jim Neal or Kay Hagan. One of the amazing things that has occurred during this final stretch is that the one-to-one contact volunteers have made with voters waiting to cast their ballots (lines have been long) is that they were easily won over to vote for Jim Neal by simply drawing the distinctions between the two, as Jim is the clear progressive choice. Most of the support for Hagan is very soft, based almost solely on the fact that she has run TV ads. That she has not closed the deal with many voters is a good sign that there could be a runoff. That's why working the polls has been so critical and successful so far.

The presidential race has sucked all the air out of the room when it comes to downticket candidate races. It seems that a lot of early voters went in to cast their vote for either Clinton or Obama, and didn't bother with the rest of the ballot, which is unfortunate, given we're electing a governor, lieutenant governor, several commissioner slots in various counties, school boards, you name it. Positions that affect the daily lives of residents.

Jim gave a short talk, and again, he reiterated the fact that while he strongly represents the people and the core values of the Democratic party, he's had to battle not only his opponent, but the party power structure.

Video below the fold.

Here's a letter-to-the-editor that will be printed in my local paper. Permission hereby granted to use any part or all of it in letters to your hometown papers.

I support Barack Obama and Jim Neal.

Both Barack Obama and Jim Neal are inspiring progressive Democrats. Both Obama and Jim Neal wish to change America for the better, and are willing to fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves. Both Obama and Jim Neal have had uphill battles to climb to fight the Washington establishment, and both have been discounted at some point.

If you are inspired by Obama, I think you will also be inspired by Jim Neal. If you support Obama, I urge you to support Jim Neal as well.

Reverend Jeremiah Wright said some horrible things about America. He is evil. Forget about the good he has done in his life. He is evil. I saw it on CNN.

[Cross-posted at DKos (pls. rec!) and Pam's House Blend. ]

Linda Daves of the North Carolina Republican party apparently wields a lot of power. When Senator Elizabeth Dole was asked to condemn an anti-Obama color arousal ad, this was her response:

Dole said in an interview she didn't want to get involved.

"I am concentrating on getting my work done here in the Senate, and I'm just not going to get into refereeing a third party political ad that has nothing to do with my race," she said.

You can do something about this - we're planning to give Liddy a special delivery. Read on.

[Sorry folks, no downticket endorsements yet....]

It's getting down to the final days before North Carolina's primary on May 6, so Matt Hill Comer of the Tar Heel gay news outlet Q-Notes is featuring NC LGBT leaders and their presidential race picks. The format features two endorsements per day, one from a Clinton supporter, one from an Obama supporter.

I was asked to contribute and the result probably isn't a surprise to anyone at this point. It's below the fold.

Just received this email from the Besse campaign, it seems that "one of North Carolina's leading African-American owned and published newspapers, has just endorsed Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor!" That would be The Chronicle. Their endorsement:

"The crowded Democratic field for Lieutenant Governor doesn't have a shortage of qualified candidates either, but our choice is clear. Dan Besse has been a community-minded, dedicated member of the Winston-Salem City Council for more than six years and will bring those same qualities and more to the office of lieutenant governor.
Too many of those seeking elected office today, do so for personal glory and their own egos. Besse is what an elected official should be. Helping to make his city and state and the people who reside in them better are Besse's only motivations. In the race for lieutenant governor, Besse doesn't have the most campaign money or name recognition, but he has the most heart and the most zeal to work hard for the residents of North Carolina."