north carolina democratic party

Polls show Sen. Barack Obama has a commanding lead in North Carolina -- but are operatives in the N.C. Democratic Party favoring Sen. Hillary Clinton? They are on at least one big issue: a proposed debate between the Democratic presidential candidates.

This week, N.C. Dem leaders have been demanding that Obama accept a debate hosted by CBS on April 27 -- a date favored by Clinton -- while ignoring earlier plans by CBS and the Obama campaign for an April 19 match-up.

On top of that, some are claiming behind the scenes that Obama doesn't want to debate in North Carolina, and calling into question his interest in the state.

What's going on here?

Cross-posted from Bloviations.

Raleigh's News and Observer reported today that Marshall Adame and Craig Weber have filed for the May 6th Democratic Primary.

Governor Hunt – personally and through the legacy of his leadership in education and emerging issues - has mentored a growing farm team for our State’s Democrats.

The Eastern Caravan is complete; Jerry just returned the van to the rental place. Young Dems President Zack Hawkins put about 17 hours of driving into that van, so we got our money's worth out of it.

Here is a synopsis of what we encountered and achieved:

• 8/10, Lumberton: We sent groups out to most of the major neighborhoods of Lumberton to do a listening canvas. All over the city people talked about healthcare concerns, usually with other concern (education, housing, jobs) woven into their story. We got some of these responses on video. As we drove out the bank clock blinked 107... 4:05pm... 108.
• 8/10, Clinton: Despite lightening, hard rain, and what Ben Akroyd described as "tornado sky," we sent groups out to canvas middle income neighborhoods. Because of the intermittent storms, people invited us into their homes so they could register to vote. The rain brought the heat down.
• 8/11, Greenville: We assembled care packages with Give 2 The Troops. The Program Director repeatedly stressed the point "you can support the troops without supporting the war." We assembled over 50 boxes containing books, toiletries, dvds, and girl scout cookies. Read the article in the Reflector here.
• 8/11, Kinston: Ben and Tara Ilsley met a man who was forced to have some surgery. The surgery cost $74,000. To pay it off, he faithfully sends a check for $20 every week. He said he was 66 years old, and if he lives to be 110 he'll have finally paid off his "debt" (his word, not ours). He went on, "I never have considered myself poor, but I've always thought the government ought to do more for people in a worse shape than I am."

The North Carolina Democratic Party is hitting the road on Friday, August 10th through Sunday, August 12th in eastern North Carolina.

Along the route, volunteers from across the state will work with local activists, registering voters, canvassing, performing community service projects, meeting with candidates and elected officials, and listening to the ideas and concerns of eastern North Carolinians.

Schedule below the fold....

This summer, Democrats in every state will take action in their community to clean up America. If you would like to help plan or attend an event, please contact your local state party or use our online events tool. Stay tuned to this site and your inbox for more information on the Democratic Reunion.

Building on last year’s successful elections and the tremendous enthusiasm in the Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee will hold its 2nd annual “Democratic Reunion” Saturday, July 28, to engage and energize Democrats as we mobilize for the 2008 election.

Sign up: http://www.democrats.org/a/party/a_50_state_strategy/the_democratic_reunion_2007/

As Democrats and Americans, we are dedicated to improving our country both through the choices we make at the ballot box and the ones we make at home. That's why we're dedicating this year's Democratic Reunion to a challenge we can all tackle together: the fight for a cleaner environment and energy independence.

The convention of North Carolina's 11th District Democrats on May 18th climaxed in a very close vote for Chair. A challenger rose up in the days before the convention, and he gave the Good Ol' Boy network that's run this district since WWII something to think about.

More importantly, the victor in the race, Luke Hyde, publicly supported his challenger's ideas. Follow me below the fold to see video of the speeches and to help hold Chairman Hyde's feet to the fire on moving our District Party into the 21st century.

Are you going to a congressional district convention this weekend? Are you a delegate? If so, talk back in the comments!

The North Carolina Democratic Party has this post calling out John McCain for his trip to Charlotte to raise the money that he claims to be against:

As the Washington Post recently reported, McCain, the presidential candidate is hypocritically employing the very same fundraising tactics he spent years criticizing and trying to change.

While I do think that John McCain is a power-hungry gumby-like politician who twists his views depending on whatever suits him, I do not think that this is a fair criticism and also have doubts about whether the state party should be getting into this.

First, the criticism is unfair because John McCain should not have to run for president with a hand tied behind his back just because he is closer to the sane, rational position of limitting campaign contributions than other Republicans.

http://andrewjacksondem.com

With Jim Black gone from the scene, a serious look at the reaction of Democratic Party officials across the state must be made. Throughout this scandal, Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek, Governor Mike Easley, Lt. Gov. Bev Purdue, and the rest of the Demcrats on the Council of State refused to ask Black to step aside. Often times, these individuals used a very short measuring stick when asked about Black's political troubles brushing them off by saying, "he has done nothing illegal."

As Democrats, I am proud of our party's tradition of standing up to public corruption by seeking to uphold the trust people have placed in their elected officials. Sadly, North Carolina Democrats and their elected leaders within the party and public realm failed to act during Black's troubles, tarnishing the image of "the party of reform."