richard stevens

I had the opportunity tonight to hear Beverly Perdue talk again about her vision for North Carolina. Speaking to a house filled with environmental activists, she articulated a strong agenda for making our state a leader in renewable energy, conservation, environmental literacy, and green economic development (my words, not hers). She was knowledgeable, articulate and clear about what she wants to accomplish, and I'm convinced she has what it takes to make the difference we need.

If things continue the way they're going, Perdue will face Richard Moore in the Democratic primary for governor in May, 2008. Though I haven't met Moore, I am close friends with many people who work with and for him. To a person, they think he's great and that he would make a fantastic governor. I don't doubt their confidence one bit.

Which brings me to the point of this entry: What would it take to convince one of these good people to run for the US Senate against Elizabeth Dole in 2008?

I've posted several times now on Sue Myrick's grandstanding scheme to bully North Carolina, and pending further developments I should just let it go. But events conspire! Three NC State legislators and a high level staffer spoke to one of my classes today, and I got a chance to ask them about the situation.

Deborah Ross and Grier Martin, both Democratic members of the NC House representing parts of Wake County, sat on a panel with Republican Senator Richard Stevens (representing Cary) and Norma Mills, Chief of Staff for NC Senate President Pro Temp. Marc Basnight (D, Dare County). I asked them for their thoughts about the proposed legislation announced by Myrick, Foxx, Taylor, McHenry, and Jones that threatens to strip NC's federal highway dollars if the state doesn't change its driver's license policy. Nobody had good things to say.