us senate

Any one of them would be an excellent Senator, light years ahead of Richard Burr. As the campaign moves onto the public radar screen over the next five months, it'll be interesting to see how they position themselves and how citizens respond. So many of us think about elections only when we have to, if that. Choices get made for the most fragile of reasons ... from color of yard signs to color of skin. At that primal level, the Senate primary is an election between a young white guy, an older white woman, and a black guy. For some, that will be as deep as it gets.

Mike Beitler didn't have much trouble coming up with his New Year's Resolutions. Ever since he announced he was seeking the Libertarian nomination for U.S. Senate, he knew he'd be spending most of the new year earning the confidence and the vote of his fellow North Carolinians.

Why won't the DSCC support Elaine Marshall for U.S. Senate? Things have changed a lot here in NC since she last ran for national office in 2002. Who would have guessed that "Blue NC" would be true? That a black community organizer with the middle name ... would win in North Carolina? Or that our governor and one of our senators would be a woman?

Elaine is a terrific speaker, smart as they come, warm, funny, and much more in touch with the Democratic pulse. She's well known in the grassroots community, which will do major legwork to get people to the polls. Her experience as Secretary of State should help attract moderate Republicans (both of them) and many unaffiliated voters.

I don't want to have to pick between Burr and Burr Lite next November.

The United States Senate is starting the debate on the Kerry Boxer Bill to address Climate Change.
This bill, addresses many issues such as funding Alternative Energy sources (including billions for 'clean coal'), increasing US security, and creating jobs.
But this legislation is missing a key element : language addressing Climate Change and human rights.
For Environmental Refugees both within the United States and internationally, Climate Change means losing their homes, land and culture. And because people displaced by Climate Change have no legal status, they have no recourse for their losses.

And now there are two.

When Nascar drivers, legends and fans are welcomed to the White House for a wonderful celebration of the sport and recognition of its history, could there be a bit more in play than just a toast to the winning teams? Politico has a fantastic story on the event (even noting that, of the current and former champions in attendance, they have contributed nearly $150k in political donations since the 1980s - all to Republicans!). However, that doesn't stop our President, or a potential future Senator, from recognizing both the significant achievements and passionate assistance the Nascar family has shown to North Carolina and the rest of the country. (Pictures can be found at Talking Points Memo).

Guilford County Progressive Democrats will host Forsyth County and other Triad area progressives at their Quarterly Dinner Meeting

6 pm Saturday, August 8
Kernersville NC

The speaker for the meeting is Cal Cunningham (who is exploring a run for the U.S. Senate against Richard Burr next year) Cal was judged to be "within striking distance" of incumbent Burr in the latest poll run by Public Policy Polling, even before he has made an official announcement.

Frank Eaton reports tonight that Representative McIntyre will be running for reelection in the House. Let the jockeying for Senate begin again!

According to Roll Call, the potential field of Democrats who are likely to compete to take on Richard Burr include:

• Dan Blue
• Cal Cunningham
• Ken Lewis (already declared)
• Jim Neal
• Elaine Marshall
• Mike McIntyre

At the risk of being overly prescriptive, let's use this thread to get thoughts about three things: money, primary odds, and general election odds. Said another way, what are your thoughts about the ability of each candidate to raise millions of dollars, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to competing in the primary, and the strengths and weaknesses vis-a-vis Richard Burr.

Not sure if I even like this idea. The door keeper for the Senate was told not to let Senator-appointed Burris onto the Senate chamber?

One may not like Burgonivic (sp), but Burris has done nothing wrong. From what I understand, he was appointed to the position legally. All the steps and wickets were followed. He cannot be stopped from taking his rightful place.

Until Burgonivic is legally removed from office, HE is the gov and is the only person in the world who is authorized to make that appointment. Even if he gets impeached tomorrow, the appointment is proper and cannot be contested.

With that said, who is it for the Senate to say "No, we don't want that guy."

Under the Dome is reporting that Elizabeth Dole is criticizing Kay Hagan for receiving support from "anti-religion" groups.

Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is attacking Democratic challenger Kay Hagan for raising money from “anti-religion activists” at an upcoming event in Boston.

Hagan is appearing at a fundraiser by two people who do not follow the tenets of Christianity, a clear attack on our Constitutionally-derived rights to Freedom of Religion.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

It's time for real leadership, NOT political pandering.

Our pals at over at the Dome have reviewed the DSCC's ad now airing that call's Elizabeth Dole the 93rd least effective senator. Is it accurate?