Archive for NC Senate race
Oh No.
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I don’t have time for a proper post about this, but here’s the skinny from MSNBC:
In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down laws that banned corporations from using their own money to support or oppose candidates for public office.
By 5-4 vote, the court overturned federal laws, in effect for decades, that prevented corporations from using their profits to buy political campaign ads. The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.
It leaves in place a ban prohibiting corporations and unions from directly contributing funds to candidates for any use.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said that the decision gives ‘a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics.’ The president pledged to work with Congress to ‘develop a forceful response’ to the court’s ruling.
What’s your take on the ruling?
Oh if you’re a bird, be an early bird
Posted by: | CommentsSpeaking of Republicans, the North Carolina primary is only 111 days away, and I haven’t heard much in the way of revival music coming out of the GOP’s little tent lately. This time two years ago, Carl Mumpower already had his congressional primary campaign in full swing (in fact, I think we had even cut his TV commercial by now) — but aside from a few lackluster appearances from a partial complement of candidates, there hasn’t been much to tell me that anybody is doing much on the Republican side.
There are six guys that I’m aware of who are vying for the dubious honor of taking on Heath Shuler: Dan Eichenbaum, James J. Howard, Ed Krause, Greg Newman, Scott Stump, and Kenny West. Only two have active websites (Eichenbaum and Howard) and West’s Facebook page seems to have dried up and blown away — although you can see a cached version here. From what I’m told, Greg Newman hasn’t showed up to either of the two forums held so far (which were apparently poorly attended), and when it’s not regurgitating press releases from the Tea Party folks, the Buncombe County GOP’s website doesn’t tell me much either.
The Most Vulnerable Republican Senator
Posted by: | CommentsPublic Policy Polling has news:
Richard Burr’s poll numbers this month are the worst they’ve been since June, and it’s increasingly clear he’s the most vulnerable Republican Senator in the country up for reelection next year.
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Our newest survey finds him with just a one point lead, 42-41, against a generic Dem and also finds his approval rating in negative territory at 35/37.
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To put the current state of the race into perspective, Elizabeth Dole led Kay Hagan 51-39 in a poll we conducted at this same point in the election cycle two years ago.
Elaine Marshall To Answer Your Questions
Posted by: | CommentsDemocratic candidate for the US Senate, Elaine Marshall, will be live-blogging at BlueNC tonight. Head over now to post your questions. This is the message I received via Facemail:
U.S. Senate candidate Elaine Marshall will be blogging live at BlueNC tonight at 7:00 p.m. Please follow the link below to stop by and ask a question or two and to wish Elaine a Happy Birthday.
http://bluenc.com/elaine-marshall-question-thread-now-open
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you at BlueNC tonight.
Elaine Marshall to Challenge Richard Burr
Posted by: | CommentsUnder The Dome reports:
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall filed paperwork Tuesday to create a campaign committee to run for the U.S. Senate next year.
“We’ll have a more formal announcement in the future,” said Thomas Mills, a consultant for Marshall. “We were feeling we just needed to get started in moving forward.”
Marshall joins Kenneth Lewis, a Durham lawyer and the only other announced Democratic candidate, in the field to take on U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican. Other Democrats eyeing the race include former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham and U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge.
Plausible Scenario
Posted by: | CommentsNorth Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said she is interested in running against Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr next year.
Mrs. Marshall, 63, is a Campbell Law School graduate, a former Lillington lawyer and still lives in the area.
Quotable Quote
Posted by: | Comments“I am not running for Senate. I am not running for Senate. I have said that a thousand times…” – Congressman Heath Shuler
Shuler Sri Lanka Trip Drawing Rave Reviews
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In my other post about Heath Shuler’s trip to Sri Lanka, the praise he drew was primarily from pro-government sources in country. To add to the chorus comes Jim Luce at Huffington Post:
The American Congressman stated boldly, “I would like to congratulate the government of Sri Lanka in their victory over terrorism. We are seeing peace today for the first time in 26 years”
I could not have been more elated. It was the first time I have heard an American elected official seem to understand what has transpired here in Sri Lanka. As the only American journalist in the room, I was unsure if those gathered grasped the significance of his statement.
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With that, Heath Shuler, U.S. Congressman from North Carolina — a thought leader and global citizen — ended his strong remarks in favor of the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to move forward into a future of diversity and prosperity.I warmly congratulated him for having been the first American political leader I have heard that actually understood what had transpired — and most importantly — what needs to transpire, here in Sri Lanka.
Shuler the statesman?
Heath Shuler in Sri Lanka
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Oh to have been a fly on the wall. Rep. Shuler may be beefing up his foreign relations credentials for a possible Senate run against Sen. Richard Burr with this trip to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence website:
“I congratulate the Sri Lankan government on their victory against the terrorists in their country, the LTTE. I also commend the remarkable work and efforts of the government of Sri Lanka in putting together the IDP camps in such a short period of time,” said United States representative Heath Shuler( Democrat- North Caroline) addressing a press conference held in Colombo, today( May 29).
Topsy Turvy – Shuler To Run For Senate?
Posted by: | CommentsAshvegas has the scoopiness:
News was made on Local Edge Radio 880 AM on Friday. I was sitting in with the show hosts, Blake and Lesley, when they had David Young, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, call in to chat. The hot topic was whether U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler would run decide to take on U.S. Sen. Richard Burr in next year’s election.
Young confirmed what’s been flying around for about a week: that Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials have been going after Shuler hard. And Young went a step further, saying “my gut tells me” that Shuler will run.
