Which way are you leaning - lieutenant governor's race
Submitted by James Protzman on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 9:32am
Dan Besse
47% (43 votes)
Walter Dalton
5% (5 votes)
Hampton Dellinger
20% (18 votes)
Pat Smathers
15% (14 votes)
Genuinely undecided
12% (11 votes)
Total votes: 91
Dan!!!
BESSEst for the NC environment...and everything good that comes of that.
Open up the question to everybody.
I'm "genuinely undecided" still. I'm wondering about this, and I want to open the question up to everybody. Who would be the best candidate to beat Pittenger? Nobody much talks about him, and you don't hear much from him. But apparently he has that million dollars in self funding, and everybody expects him to be the nominee.
This primary is one of those great, unusual ones in which we have a several genuinely appealing candidates. Who do you think would really be the best of them in November?
If only a candidate had already spoken about this...;)
Besse's earlier statement on Pettinger
Wow
I read that link. It's a link to literally the only statement I have read critiquing him all year, and I remember reading it in January. He does seem like he's flamboyantly anti-environment. Also, no one at all is paying attention to this guy. In all of Democratdom, that link is about it.
I would love to see all 4 of these men
on a panel running the state. Yes, all 4. Dalton has a lot of valuable experience that the others don't. The others have a lot of progressive ideas that Mr. Dalton doesn't. But I'd like to scrap this "Governor" business, which apparently is going to be filled by one snotty teenager or another, and have a new Governing Council consisting of these 4.
And yes, I'm serious.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Anybody but Dalton
I certainly understand the enthusiasm for Dan Besse - incredible background, great campaign. But I still don't see how he's going to win in a state where the majority of voters have never heard of any of the candidates. It's unfortunate, but money is going to matter even more than usual in this race - with the presidential race in play, we're almost sure to get record turnout, meaning even more voters who don't know anything about any of these candidates and will vote for the one with the best tv commercial or the one they have seen the most.
Cynical? Yes. True? Almost definitely. If Besse and Smathers had close to the money of Dellinger and Dalton, they might have a chance.
As it stands, this is like a primary with Joe Lieberman, Obama or Clinton, Chris Dodd and Dennis Kucinich, only if Lieberman had the most money and the backing of the national democratic leaders (and assuming for the sake of the comparison that you don't love Obama or Clinton, think he/she has run an annoying campaign, etc). Maybe you think Chris Dodd would be the best president out of that bunch, maybe you like Kucinich's unwavering commitment to progressive causes, but if you vote for one of them you are only helping to elect Lieberman.
No doubt Dan Besse has the most impressive background on the environment. But Walter Dalton still thinks new coal plants are a good idea - the more the better. A vote for Dan Besse is a vote against a lot of what Dan Besse believes in.
Is this frustrating? No, it's frustrating isn't strong enough a word. But it's also the reality of the situation. I'd love for Dan or one of his people to explain why I'm wrong, but I just can't see it.
Am I the only one who's tired of the 'money' refrain?
How much money a candidate has is not the only criterion for voting for them. I'm tired of being told it is.
You'll have to explain this one first, durhamdem:
I thought I did explain it
The more votes Besse and Smathers get, the better the chance Walter Dalton wins. Walter Dalton thinks new coal plants are a good idea, voted against a bill banning the execution of the mentally retarded, and pushed for a vote on a consitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Dan Besse doesn't believe in any of that. Nor does Hampton Dellinger, who, for better or worse, is our best and pretty much only chance to have progressive leadership in one of the top two statewide offices for the next four years.
I've seen your stuff, Frank, and it is tremendous. The whole campaign has been fantastic. Dan Besse is inspiring. But I'm pretty sure if I voted for him on May 6, by May 7, when we have a Dalton-Pittenger race to look forward to, I'd be sorry.
I'd also be sorry to wake up May 7 having voted for Dellinger if Besse actually had a chance to win. So if you can convincingly explain to me how he's going to get hundreds of thousands of people who have never heard of him to vote for him a month from today, and I'm more than willing to change my mind.
Thanks, I just wanted you to be more explicit
This is the wrong race to over-think.
Have no fear that the Democratic nominee for LG will have trouble raising money between May (or June) and November. The party ain't gonna desert that office. The nominee will be well funded. He'll be able to buy whatever TV market spots he wants.
Let me steal a line from Jim Neal:
"This year we don't just have to vote for what we think we can get. This is the year we can vote for what we want."
Dan is prepared to make the case that he is the best candidate to unite the Democrats after the primary and beat Pittenger in the general election. He's got the platform and, importantly here, the right experience in BOTH rural and urban markets to trump Pittenger across the state.
And I think his tone and approach are UNIQUELY suited to an expanding election media market. As we begin to talk about general election campaign message DELIVERY and DESIGN, the Besse Braintrust has developed a COMPELLING and STARKLY ORIGINAL plan for the fall.
Personally, I believe that the undecideds in this race are going to remain above forty-five percent for the primary. So go ahead and vote for Dan Besse on May 6th, just to be safe.
It'd suck to wake up May 7th only to discover that you'd sold out your conscience for nothing.
And while we're talking about money: Click here to contribute to Dan Besse's campaign!
Selling my conscience
I agree with you on the general - the Dem nominee will have no trouble raising the money he needs. But that has nothing to with the primary, in which the guy with the most money and establishment support is as conservative a Dem as you can get. So I still don't see how a vote for Besse (or Smathers) does anything other than make it more likely that Dalton becomes our next LG.
Edited to add that I do not consider voting for Dellinger to be "selling my conscience." The guy has a gotten a bum rap on here. I understand he brought some of that on with the way he's campaigned (though Besse has taken some shots, too, mostly at Dellinger - something that drives Obama supporters crazy when Hillary does it but somehow gets a pass here), but the guy is a solid progressive candidate with a bright future.
I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but that's what I want to do
I'm interested in this discussion because it always seems like, on here and elsewhere, every conversation about the lt. gov primary turns into a discussion about how to beat Dalton. Even conversations about how to beat Pittenger turn into conversations about how to beat Dalton.
As some people know, I love these discussions about electability, and sometimes they get people mad at me.
I'm a genuinely Undecided
but it's between Besse and Smathers. The other two didn't make my short list.
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." - Harry Truman
Lt. Gov.
Leslie, in my opinion, you've picked the best two. Dalton apparently is on the wrong side of some big issues, and Dellinger lacks experience. Besse is good, and not just on the environment. But I heard all four candidates speak at a Democratic event, and Smathers is the only one who stated a platform. He'll probably come in last--he has little money--but he's got my vote.
I want a Democrat who is
Experienced and progressive and can beat any Republican they throw at us in the fall. That's why I'm supporting Hampton Dellinger.
True, Smathers, Besse or Dalton may be better boned up on one issue or another; but I want the most well-rounded candidate to win. I believe that is Hampton Dellinger.
http://www.hdforltgov.com/
well rounded?
Whether you like him or not Dalton knows every bill that has gone through the legislature by heart. I bet he could probably recreate the budget with a pen and a blank sheet of paper.
Smathers has military experience, school board experience, and as a mayor he has overseen every aspect of local government. I cant imagine a scenario that he would be unprepared for.
Besse might be known for his environmental record, but he also spent time doing legal aid, and as a city councilman he also has an in depth understanding of almost every policy out there.
Dellinger has been a legal counsel to the governor. Thats it.
"Keep the Faith"
I am genuinely undecided.
I believe in voting your conscience in the primary, even if that candidate, by conventional wisdom, has no chance of winning, because that let's the party power structure know how the grassroots of the party are feeling. For instance, let's say that the vote breaks down like this:
Besse: 15%
Dellingers: 25%
Smathers: 15%
Dalton: 45%
In that scenario, Dalton wins. But it sends a powerful message to the Party that he did not have a majority, and it would behoove them to start grooming some progressives for the next run.
Or - we all pick a progressive - like the ones that the Progressives picked - and back him - and blow the doors off the establishment this year.
I just don't know.
Linda
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
I love it.
Blow the doors off the establishment this year!
that would be an unfortunate outcome
Ralph Nader and all that is popping into my mind, i better stop...
We're all Democrats here, friend.
None of these four is a spoiler.
True that
But in most other states, one of our primary candidates could easily be mistaken for a Republican (well, maybe one of those "centrist republicans"), so...you know what i mean :)
Don't forget...
One word: Runoff.
If Dalton "wins" then whomever is second place (Besse...) will then have the chance to have all the progressives gather around him and vote him to be our nominee. And considering WE'RE a dedicated group, i.e. more likely to vote in a runoff, then we can take this thing.
I try not to talk negative about other candidates, so I'll just say this: Besse has proven himself over and over and over as dedicating his life to public service. He's running for the job, not the position (if that makes sense).
I spoke to one person who belongs to a group that ended up endorsing another candidate. He said that Besse was the smartest candidate by far, but their decision, he told me, came down to money. So is that all right with us? Maybe it is with some people, but I would think an organization would know that THEIR PAC money can help an underfunded candidate more than a "safe" bet w/ a candidate that already has money. So that confused me.
Here's my question to everyone: Whomever you support...what are you doing about it? If you support Besse and want to put your support in action, feel free to send me a message...
Runoff?
Very possible. Something like a 43-35-15-8 split where there wouldn't be a runoff? Also very possible.
I have no problem with an organization deciding to back a candidate who agrees with it and has a better chance to win over a candidate who agrees with it and has less of a chance to win, even if they think that candidate is better. Did that PAC have the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would take to even the money race?
The best way to stop this for next time is to get public financing for all of these state races. Think Walter Dalton's going to push for that?
Runoff is interesting
In this case I'm glad we have runoffs; one would reset the clock and have both wings of the party make their case. Everyone would know what the stakes were without personalities distorting the race.
I'm also not making any prediction about whether there will be one. Somebody could squeak by 40% by a hair or just fall a little bit short. Seems like a 35-45% kind of plurality election.
Besse interview almost in the can
I'm writing it up today; Dan gave me 2 1/2 hours of his time last Friday to discuss a host of issues, but I wanted to get his perspective on LGBT matters for the Blend. Unlike Perdue, Moore or the MIA Kay Hagan (her camp still hasn't responded to repeated polite requests for elaboration on her murky answer during the liveblog), Besse was quite comfortable discussing the issues without giving evasive answers. That's a model ally.
--
Pam Spaulding
Durham, NC USA
Pam's House Blend
www.pamshouseblend.com
Dan started fighting for the environment in 1978
Back when people worried about climate change were tree-hugging kooks - I have a feeling he is used to standing up for what he believes in and damn the torpedoes.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Dan...
bradford
I voted for Dan, because I've covered him as a reporter, watching him at the Coastal Resources Commission, conducting business in a fair way, yet passionately fighting to preseve our state's coast, which is the dearest issue to my heart. I've also frequently read about his fights for the unfortunate among us. I agree that whichever of these great candidates (well, three, anyway) emerges from our primary will get enough money to run successfully. Could vote for Hamp or for Pat, easily and happily...but Dan's the man for true progressives, IMHO, especially based on his candid posts and answers to questions on BlueNC.
Hello from Durham!!
Go Besse!
The answer to my question
I guess the answer to my question is, based on collective opinion, is that it really doesn't matter who may be the best candidate to beat Pittenger. Anyone is going to get the resources needed, and he's kind of a pushover.
well...
Pittenger is a nutjob, who is currently out spending the field on his way to a strong 2nd place.
"Keep the Faith"
Isn't that WEIRD?
I really think you're right, Pittenger might somehow not win, except for one thing; he's NOT really spending his money. If he is, where is it going? This Republican primary is so weird.
Courage, people
We can elect the right guys this year!
No more Progressive Wing Low Self Esteem for the next month, deal?
Are you worried that your candidate has name recognition issues? Outspent by the rich boys? Well if your candidate happens to be either Dan Besse or Jim Neal, go here, copy/paste a video about one of 'em and forward it to a few friends!
Cross-post, cross-post, cross-post!
I support Pat Smathers
Pat Smathers has been a mayor and dealt with a pair of natural disasters just 2 weeks apart that destroyed the vast majority of public facilities in the town of Canton - town hall, police dept, fire dept, the town park, senior center, water intake pumps for drinking water, the sewage treatment plant.. along with many homes, businesses, doctor's offices, a private school, and the largest employer. Heck, even the ABC store got flooded out. He was a leader when the town desperately needed it.
On top of that, he has years of experience with the school board, and years of military experience. Pat understands that it is local government that effects people the most, as well as how local government is often hamstrung by Raleigh politicians. He is ready for the job, and will bring real change because he is not part of the party establishment in Raleigh.
Dan Besse is also a high quality candidate who has fought long and hard for environmental causes, and I can understand why people would support him. He is also an outside the establishment candidate.
I don't understand how progressive Democrats could support Dalton, as he represents the business wing of the party, is part of the party establishment, and will do little to promote progressive change.
As far as Dellinger goes, what has he done? He has worked for the governor. He has a famous father who is now working to defend Exxon in their continuing effort to wiggle out of fines from - and avoid responsibility for - the Exxon Valdez disaster. I don't know what Hamp has ever contributed locally to the Democratic Party or local issues in Durham.
Pat is my second choice, for all those reasons.
He has a very interesting background that would change the focus of the L.G. office.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
DALTON MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE
Here are the 2000 results for the Lieutenant Governor's Race-the last time this race was an open seat. Unlike 2000, there will be no third party candidate nor will there be a Southerner at the top of the presidential ticket.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Democratic
Beverly Perdue
1,500,206
52%
Republican
Betsy Cochrane
1,315,825
46%
Reform
Catherine Carter
50,352
2%
Unlike 2000, the Republican nominee could be well financed if Senator Robert Pittenger wins the Republican nomination. Currently he has over a million dollars in his campaign account. Pittenger is
a Republican who likely believes professional wrestling is real given that he clearly believes global warming is fake.
While most of the bloggers have discussed the ideological differences of the Democratic candidates, few have discussed the main responsibility of the Lieutenant Governor: umpiring the business of the Senate. Disputes arise between members of the two political parties. The Lieutenant Governor must be able to resolve these disputes fairly but skillfully such that the Republicans can not manipulate their agenda with their political manuverings on the Senate floor. Walter Dalton has 10 years of experience seeing how this process works firsthand. For example, the Lieutenant Governor must know how to fairly determine when an amendment is germane to the bill being debated. The other 3 candidates have only a few glimpses of this process. Furthermore, I have witnessed time and again Walter Dalton's skill in articulating progressive positions on a range of issues in response to the far right diatribes by Senator Pittenger. In a race that will be close, Walter Dalton will raise the money and be able to effectively debate Robert Pittenger in holding this seat for the Democrats.
All four Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidates are strong Democratic leaders in this state that deserve our respect and enthusiastic support if they win the nomination. However, Walter Dalton is the only candidate that has the record and ability to pull together all the different wings of the Democratic Party in order to win this seat A blogger once inquired why Dan Besse didn't run for the NC Senate seat in Winston Salem currently held by Pete Brunstetter. A Besse supporter explained that that seat was heavily Republican and could not be won by Dan. Compare that "practical" decision with Walter's successful effort to win and hold a Senate seat that has been also described as a "Republican seat." Now that Walter is running statewide, his Senate seat will likely go Republican if conventional wisdom prevails. Dalton held a seat in a conservative district for 10 years. He is now running statewide in a conservative state. There is no question that if he were as liberal as Besse or Dellinger he would not have been in the NC Senate from the district he is located. Besse's decision not to run for the NC Senate in Winston Salem was based upon a recognition that he was too liberal for his NC Senate district.
There are those bloggers on here who seek to describe Walter Dalton as a "Republican" candidate. In order for a Democrat to hold a conservative district that candidate must run and advance those issues where the majority of people hold a progressive view. Most people regardless of the leaning of their district support public schools and oppose private vouchers. Most people support increasing teacher pay. Most people believe all children should be covered by health insurance. On each of these positions, the Republicans are out of step with the majority even though the greatest number of voters in this state describe themselves as conservative.
Walter Dalton has been a strong supporter of public education and has opposed private vouchers.
Walter Dalton was a key leader in opposing lowering the standards for teacher certification to address the teacher shortage in this state and instead advanced the plan to raise teacher pay to the national average over the course of the past two years.
Walter Dalton supported participation in and the expansion of the State Child Health Insurance Program - a program that Congress has sought to expand twice only to be vetoed twice by our Republican president.
Walter Dalton has voted on over 3000 pieces of legislation in his career. It is easy to pick a few issues and mischaracterize a legislator's overall record. Any thoughtful examination of Walter's record would show he is in the political center- right where he needs to be if we are to win this election.
I represent 4 very rural poor counties with high poverty populations. Senator Walter Dalton has done more to address issues of economic opportunity in my district than even U.S.Senator John Edwards did. For example, I represent Warren County one of the poorest counties in the state. Warren County is currently 99th in the state in high speed internet access with less than 45 percent of the population accessible. Because of Dalton's support for a Roosevelt type program through the E-NC authority,Embarq has accepted matching funds from the state that will make 84 percent of the county accessible to high speed internet and 29th in the state overall. This action will help reduce the digital divide and enable small businesses to develop and grow in my area providing desperately needed jobs.
Walter Dalton's blend of progressive positions with some conservative positions makes him electable. Electability is important where in the General Assembly,the rubber meets the road. The state can ill afford risking losing this position to a far right Republican
Thanks for your insight, Senator Berger.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Thanks, Doug
This is the first (really the very first) case I've seen made by anyone in favor of Dalton. It's interesting that you focus mostly on his legislative ability. That's an interesting angle, but it's not very appealing when that "ability" gets used to support tax breaks for the wealthy and a renewable energy portfolio standards that might as well have been written by Duke Energy.
If Dalton is the nominee in November, it's a safe bet that almost every one in the BlueNC community will vote for him. I certainly will. But the primary is different. This is our one chance to tell elected officials that the political "center" has slid so far to the right as to be unrecognizable by We the People. I daresay, Dalton would have been even more "electable" had he held Big Energy to higher standards in representing consumers and ratepayers. He would have been even more electable had he voted to cut the sales tax rate instead of the tax rate on wealthy individuals.
I appreciate you taking us on a factory tour of legislative sausage-making. But if you'll allow me to carry that metaphor a step too far, it doesn't have much appeal when you're talking to vegetarians.
Dalton was quite impressive at the mental health forum, James.
It was clear from the activists in the room that they knew who he was and that he had worked on bills specifically for their benefit. We have to be careful not be one issue, or even one platform voters, I think. I'm undecided, as I posted earlier, though I've been leaning heavily towards Smathers or Besse. Dalton is still a Democrat with a proven record of getting things done in the legislature, and that's no small thing.
Personally, I was impressed by his work in starting the Family Resource Center in Rutherford County, and his support early on for Smart Start funds. There was a lot of opposition to it in the early days. So I have to give him credit for that.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Email to Dalton campaign
A good idea for him and us.
I hope he does come and blog and that he actually answers the tough questions that will be asked of him. Those who wrote those awful Senate bills behind closed doors need to come clean about their actions and their beliefs.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
And this is why
he won't receive my support (or my vote) until after the Primary.
Senator Berger, I've seen the vote tallies in the Senate. Frankly, nearly every Republican could claim to be a progressive if they felt inclined to do so, by pointing to a few votes here and there.
For me, being a progressive is a frame of mind. It's not a hat you can put on or take off depending on the way the wind's blowing that day.
Those conservative positions are a tell: they tell me that when it comes to some of the issues that are important to me, Walter Dalton is going to be actively working against my beliefs.
If he wins the primary I will vote for him in the General election. But I will be doing so with a heavy heart, because I know it will make our efforts to bring about change even harder, and the fight to stop projects like Cliffside even more difficult.
Progressives wouldn't make budgets in the closet.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Math reality and progressive policies
Senator Berger, as I said below, it's always good to hear from you.
Since you've talked about an analysis of why I didn't run for a particular Senate seat, and contrasted it with Senator Dalton's holding a competitive seat in another area, I thought I should pitch in with a little mathematical reality.
Sen. Dalton rightly gets credit for holding onto a competitive district for the Democrats. (And candidly, I wish that he was running for re-election there.) But what are the voter registration numbers of his district?
Here they are:
Democrat 49%
Republican 33%
Unaffiliated 18%
Now let's compare the voter registration numbers in the Senate seat for which you're suggesting I didn't run because I am too "liberal":
Democrat 33%
Republican 48%
Unaffiliated 19%
Do you think Sen. Dalton could run for and win that seat? Unlikely, unless he's a lot more Republican in his policies than I personally am inclined to believe.
Finally, let me show you the voter registration numbers in the district which I represent on the Winston-Salem City Council:
Democrat 45%
Republican 33%
Unaffiliated 22%
In other words, I represent a district which is less Democratic than the district represented by Sen. Dalton. To win my seat in 2001, I had to defeat an incumbent Republican, and to hold it had to defeat another Republican challenger in 2005.
Like Sen. Dalton, I have shown that I can win in a competitive district. I have done so by proving that I can campaign effectively, and explain progressive Democratic policy stances persuasively to moderate voters.
Thanks for the chance to point this out again.
Dan
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
www.danbesse2008.org
to provide the context
I don't know what I think of a Democrat who says we'll lose a seat that has a 49-33 Democratic-Republican leaning in a good year for Democrats. Yet, the Senator says you won't go after a seat that is 33-48 as if you're not as good of a Democrat.
Bologna.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Thank you for your comment, Senator.
Senator Berger, I respect you tremendously, but I would be more enamored of this particular argument if so much of that Republican agenda hadn't ended up enacted into law or frustrating the progressive agenda during those same 10 years. I've spent the last 10 years watching that process, too. I'd like someone in there who is going to make a strong case for liberal values - values the majority of people in North Carolina hold on an issue by issue basis, but which we've allowed the Republicans to demonize.
I understand it is a complicated place over there. It must be, because I cannot wrap my mind or conscience around a budgetary process which proposes, let alone approves, a decrease in the upper income tax bracket while cutting mental health services.
I am not asking for an anti-business, raise all the taxes damn the consequences agenda. I'm asking for an agenda with some other priorities, and for a leader willing to fight for those priorities.
I think Hampton has more than enough interpersonal skill and friends at the legislature to get those things accomplished. The endorsements of the State Senators are, I believe, a nod to budgetary and seniority reality. If your colleague wins, do you really want to be the guy that came out against him early? Hampton is doing just fine, and will make an excellent LG.
Keep up the good work, Senator. You're one of the good ones.
I would love to interview all of them
...on issues affecting LGBT voters in the state. I did land one with Dan Besse, which you can read here on BlueNC: Pam's House Blend profile: NC Lieutenant Governor candidate Dan Besse
or here at my blog:
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4996
--
Pam Spaulding
Durham, NC USA
Pam's House Blend
www.pamshouseblend.com
Dalton's Vote for Senate Bill 3 Within Political Mainstream
Dear James,
I suppose it depends on where you believe the political center is. I recently had an exchange with my good friend Mike Nelson over at the Conservation Council. As you know the Conservation Council was one of the first environmental groups to endorse Dan Besse. I complained to Mike that the Conservation Council left out the key vote in their scorecard on an amendment I introduced to remove the Construction Work in Progress CWIP language out of Senate Bill 3.( the energy portfolio bill of which you mention) Mike offered no clear explanation as to why this vote was left out of the scorecard. I believe this vote was left out because the Conservation Council lobbyists were key players in the compromises that were reached in Senate Bill 3. Only six Senators voted for this amendment and no House members ran a comparable amendment. Senator Dalton's vote on Senate Bill 3 was the same as Pricey Harrison's vote and yet Senator Dalton is vilified for casting a vote that puts him within the political mainstream. While I disagree with his position and Senator Clodfelter's position on CWIP language in Senate Bill 3, I know that their support for nuclear power is related to their concern over global warming. I mention the CWIP amendment because Dan Besse has repeatedly pointed out that he helped craft the original language probably when he was with the Conservation Council. Given that today's Council didn't even believe a vote on CWIP was an important measurement of support for the environment, I would suggest you look to the environmental advocacy groups who were instrumental in the compromises reached in Senate Bill 3 for the move to the political center instead of blaming Senator Dalton.
The straight history on energy, CWIP, and the candidates
Senator Berger, it's always good to hear from you. You were on the right side of this issue and I thank you for it. Senator Dalton, whom I also respect, was not. He has candidly "owned" that position, and it is a major example of an important policy area in which he and I disagree.
Let's look at what actually happened to last year's big energy bill.
a) It was originally introduced by Rep. Pricey Harrison and others in a "clean" form--just with incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
b) At the behest of the power company lobby, the Senate insisted upon inserting the CWIP language which effectively promotes the construction of unnecessary baseline power plants (coal and nuclear) at the public's expense. This financing gimmick was demanded by the power companies as the price of their support for the overall bill because they know that their investors will not accept the financial risk of building those unnecessary plants.
c) Key members of the Senate leadership, including Sen. Dalton, backed up the power companies' anti-consumer demand.
d) The informed press, including the Charlotte Observer, editorially called for removing that provision and passing a clean bill, but the power company lobby prevailed.
e) Many good legislators were caught in what they perceived as a serious dilemma--pass important energy provisions and accept this bad element as a trade-off, or halt action for another year. In the end, most decided they needed to move forward without delay.
I disagreed with that call on balance, and believe that we will regret not taking that extra few months to get it right on this issue. However, I can and do respect the many legislators who weighed the options and decided to move forward with the alleged "compromise". This is a highly technical issue, and the details were confusing for many.
The bottom line, however, is this: Sen. Dalton was one of those who were in there pitching for the wrong side on this question from the start.
You can certainly choose to back him on the basis of other issues if you wish. Let's agree, however, that on this topic he wasn't just one of those caught in the crossfire. He made the wrong judgment and pushed for it.
It is a major example of why I believe we need new leadership in the Lieutenant Governor's seat to help shift the balance of debate on critical state policy.
Dan
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
www.danbesse2008.org
Frankly, if Walter Dalton had not
waved around SB3 as evidence of his "progressiveness", he probably wouldn't have been attacked for it (as much).
But he brought it up (as flawed as it is), so he's responsible for the heat he's taken.
p.s. Thanks for trying to get rid of the CWIP provisions.
Mr. Besse's take matches my own
I believe the Conservation Council failed miserably on this bill. They tried to explain why this was "as good as we'll get" and I rejected that compromise position then, just as I reject it now.
And as to this:
This is not an either-or blame game, and there is truly more than enough failure of leadership on all sides. The passage of this bill has caused me to cut my contributions to North Carolina environmental organizations by many thousands of dollars this year. I believe that's the best way to make my frustration known with them. And as to my frustration with the Senate's leadership, well, you're reading all about it.