Carolina Politics Online

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, called Kay Hagan a good challenger, but the race is close, he told Dome on Wednesday.

Schumer put North Carolina on par with other senatorial races he called “even or close” in states such as Oregon, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kentucky and Maine.

That mirrors the predictions of other political punditry outfits such as the Cook Political Report, which recently shifted North Carolina into the “leans Republican” category and away from solid Republican.

The N&O

This is a bad year to be a Republican, especially in a state that can doesn’t have a problem sending someone like John Edwards to the Senate and Mike Easley to Raleigh. Hagan should not be taken lightly.

In the presidential race, various pollsters are getting similar results.

The race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama shows little change, despite advertising by both campaigns in recent weeks. In all the polls, McCain holds a tiny lead, often within the margin of error. The inclusion of Libertarian Bob Barr does not seem to have a major effect on the results.

JULY 14-16: McCain 43, Obama 40, Barr 2

JULY 15: McCain 48, Obama 45

JULY 12-14: McCain 50, Obama 45

What we witnessed was a system out of control, especially in our Senate. A handful of Senators made decisions behind closed doors and shoved them through to approval with only token opposition from other Democrats, who supposedly hold majority control. One longtime observer remarked that this year’s Basnight-Rand run Senate was far worse than the infamous “gang of eight” led by Liston Ramsey and Billy Watkins back in the 1970’s and ‘80’s.

It is time that we take back our state from the back room politicians of Basnight, Blue and Rand. The members of the Democratic caucus have had more than ample opportunity in the last two years to speak up about what is the right thing to do.

Our children are dropping out of school at a alarming rate, over one third. The mental healthcare fiasco is directly the responsibility of the Democrats in charge. And our roads are falling apart even after only a few months after bring built. Do we need to have a disaster like what happened to the interstate bridge in Minnesota?

I agree with Tom Campbell, we cannot wait till next year, we need to make changes to who goes back to the NC state legislature next year.

Today McCrory for Governor Campaign Manager Richard Hudson welcomed the support of Perdue for Governor Strategy Statistics Analyst Will Matthews who demonstrated his support for McCrory at a fundraiser last night in Sanford, N.C.

“Mr. Matthews has clearly seen the light as indicated in the $50.00 contribution he made at the Sanford fundraiser, noting on his check that the contribution was ‘for the future of North Carolina,’” said Hudson.  “I am giving this young man the benefit of the doubt.  Surely he wasn’t engaging in campaign dirty tricks when he attended our fundraiser with a tape recorder.”

Sanford Herald

The Republican hopeful for governor from Charlotte was on a fundraising mission when he stopped on his way in Sanford, North Carolina.  He spoke about the gang problems in the state and about the absence of talk for public safety. He also publically asked that Perdue participate in more debates and forums so the voters can understand where the two candidates are coming from.

The Charlotte mayor also called on his Demo­cratic opponent, Lt. Gov.
Beverly Perdue, to agree to more debates.
“I believe I’m a candi­date who is accessible to the public. I’m willing to showcase my opinions,” he said. “Beverly Perdue is not willing to do that, and it’s an extension of the last eight years of state government, where we’ve had a governor who we never see.”

Big business and special interest PAC’s like labor unions and George Soros funded PACS have Perdue’s attention and demand it on a daily basis. McCrory has solutions and leadership, Perdue has $60 cheeseburgers to live up to.

The Democratic opponent to State Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, on Tuesday said Bryant has demonstrated “a complete lack of understanding” by posting a photo of Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden side by side on his Web site.

“Not only is this offensive to all Americans and shows extreme insensitivity regarding the old racial and cultural stereotypes we have been struggling to change, but it also brings ridicule to South Carolina and the people of Anderson County,” said Dr. Marshall Meadors, Bryant’s opponent in the November general election, in a statement. “It is the same kind of poor judgment we have seen over the last four years and shows Mr. Bryant’s complete lack of understanding of the issues that are of real importance to the people of Anderson County and South Carolina: education, health care, economic development and the environment.”

The Independent Mail

Oh, spare me.  It’s always entertaining to watch politicians seize on a lapse of judgment by their opponent and express their “outrage”, not that there has been any bad judgment on Bryant’s part.  Of course Meadors has to throw out the “insensitivity speech” and express how “shocking” this photo is and its negative effect on cultural “progress.”  LOL.  Meadows is trying to capitalize on the attention this has gotten.  He’s even posted a screen shot on his campaign site.  This is all just plain and simple politics.

If you don’t like the photograph don’t go to Bryant’s blog and look at the damn thing.  It’s that simple.  We have become far too sensitive of a society and make issues out of nothing at all.  Nobody has the right to not be offended.

A group of veterans declared their support for John McCain today.

At a half-hour press conference in front of the state legislature, nearly 40 volunteers and members of Veterans for McCain withstood 97-degree heat as they argued the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has the right plan for Iraq.

I am a United States Army veteran who supports John McCain. I really have serious misgivings about Barack Obama’s experience and judgment. So much so that as a North Carolina state house candidate, I find it very important to bring my opinion here. My district is majority-minority and gerrymandered to guarrantee the election of  a democrat.

My opponent has openly endorsed Barack Obama twice and has both declarations recorded in the News&Observer. Do you think they would record my support and endorsement of John McCain?  A big fat NO.

The Asheville city councilman said he would resume his bid once at least eight county GOP parties in the 15 counties that make up the Western North Carolina district committed to what he called “core Republican Party principles.” He wanted the county parties to promise to hold elected officials accountable to those values.

Mumpower said Monday that he has received word that eight counties had signed on to his plan. But he plans to press GOP officials across the state to commit to the same values.

The News & Observer

I said back when Mumpower suspended his campaign that I didn’t think it was a good idea and I’m still not sure that I agree with his methods here, but nevertheless he seems to have gotten what he wanted out of it.  Agree or disagree, I do admire the man’s committment to what he believes in.

WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick McHenry loaned $175,000 of his personal funds to his congressional campaign, a sign that the North Carolina Republican hasn’t raised as much money as he thinks he needs to win re-election.

“It’s nothing more than a sign that he’s willing to make a personal investment in his fight for good jobs and lower gas prices for North Carolina,” McHenry spokesman Brock McCleary said.

McClatchy

::cough:: bullshit! ::cough::

What it means is that McHenry is not happy with the current situation in his race.  He obviously feels he needs more money to beat Johnson than is what is at his disposal.  Johnson has been slowly catching up to McHenry in the polls.

The below picture was posted on the blog of South Carolina State Senator Kevin Bryant and has caused quite a stir from the Obama supporters.

Senator Bryant has every right to his freedom of speech and expression just as much as anyone else.  Politically, it may not be the smartest move depending on who his constituency is, but if he’s in a safe enough district that may not be a concern.

Read through the comments on his blog for this posting if you have the time.  It’s amusing to listen to the Obama supporters rant and rave about this picture.  I wonder if they hold the same condemnation for the characitures and slanderous comments that have been directed towards our President for the last eight years.  Furthermore some of the commentators are rather ignorant themselves.  One lady who claimed the picture was racist towards Muslims obviously doesn’t know the difference between race and religion.  Another commentator said this behavior is embarrassing coming from a U.S. Senator, except that Bryant is not a U.S. Senator, he’s a State Senator.

Monday, July 21, 2008
Contact:  Brent Woodcox, Communications Director, 919-828-6423

Rangel Pays Big for Trial Lawyer Johnson’s Support of Higher Taxes on Middle Class Families N.Y. Congressman under investigation for ethics violation

RALEIGH-North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Linda Daves today called attention to the Federal Election Commission quarterly report of 10th District Democrat Congressional candidate and trial lawyer, Daniel Johnson.  Johnson’s report reveals that his biggest individual campaign contributor is New York Congressman Charlie Rangel, who has given $7,000 to Johnson.

Mr. Rangel is the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee which is responsible for establishing tax policy in this country.  As a freshman Democrat Congressman, Daniel Johnson can be expected to reciprocate Chairman Rangel’s financial generosity with votes in support of his tax agenda, which includes higher taxes on small businesses, middle class families, and retirement pensions.

“The last thing the families of Western North Carolina need is for Charlie Rangel and Daniel Johnson to enact job-killing tax hikes on small business employers and middle class workers.  Western North Carolina simply can not afford trial lawyer Daniel Johnson’s liberal policies,” Chairman Daves stated.

Additionally, Chairman Daves noted that Chairman Rangel recently admitted that he may have violated House ethics rules when he used his official stationery to solicit private donations for a foundation he is
building in honor of himself.  Rangel is accused of soliciting financial contributions from businesses with a large stake in the tax policies that his committee writes.  Even the liberal advocacy group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, is calling for an investigation of Chairman Rangel’s misconduct.  (Retter, Daphne, “Begging Rangel Cops to a Mail Dysfunction
<http://www.nypost.com/seven/07162008/news/nationalnews/_begging_rangel_
,” New York Post, July 16, 2008)

“By choosing to support corrupt D.C. politicians like Charlie Rangel, Daniel Johnson is already making it painfully clear that he does not represent the values of Western North Carolina families,” Chairman Daves concluded.

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NEWS&OBSERVER

      Click on the link and see a story about Wake County’s drop out rate falling slightly.  Wake County historically has a higher graduation rate that the North Carolina statewide average. The statewide average has not been released but last year it was 69.5%.

      It is apparent to me that the current administration and state government run by the Democrats has thrown money at a problem and failed. The one area where they have not thrown money at is actually bring teacher’s pay to a competitive level. The people need to look for other options in educating their childdren. When the voters decide to remove the Democrats from office is when we will start on the path to success.

Kent Fletcher, a Democrat from Bluffton running for Senate District 46 representing Beaufort County, has not raised a single dollar since filing to run in March aside from $250 of his own money, according to a campaign finance report filed July 10.

Meanwhile, Republican opponent Tom Davis has already raised and spent more than $300,000 through the end of June, according to his July 10 finance report.

The Beaufort Gazette

You have got to raise money.  I’ve said it time and time again.  You simply cannot win a race without the money needed to get your message out, especially when you’re the underdog.

“Politics is all local. The people of Beaufort County own that Senate seat, and not someone that raises $300,000 or any other amount,” Fletcher said. “No matter how much money is raised, you cannot buy a vote.”

That’s not entirely true.  Unless Fletcher plans on knocking on every single door in the Senate district, which is impossible, money is the only option he has to communicate to the voters.  If you want to look at it as vote buying so be it, but that’s a fact of campaigning.

This is a heavily Republican district.  Davis is safe.

An investigation by the N.C. Board of Elections has determined that State Rep. Joe Kiser, R-Lincoln, broke campaign financial disclosure laws in a mailout supporting three candidates for Lincoln County Commission.

However, Kiser will not be fined for the violation and has properly disclosed his role in the letter, according to Amy E. Strange, campaign finance compliance specialist.

Denver political activist and former commission candidate Martin Oakes filed a complaint against Kiser in May  alleging that a mass mailout supporting Carrol Mitchem, Buddy Funderburk and Louis McConnell violated state law by not containing required “paid for by” statements.

News @ Norman

I think we have way too many restrictions in campaign laws, but I suppose I can understand the concern of the public knowing who is sponsoring the ads they are receiving.  Who a political candidate associates with says a lot about their own character.  Apparently, the state isn’t overly concerned about violations of this particular law, however.  Kiser didn’t get fined or anything.  He was just required to have a correction printed in the local newspaper.  Well, how many people are actually going to see that?  What’s done is done.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2008
Contact: Brock McCleary
(202) 225-2576

McHenry Named “Hero of the Taxpayer”

WASHINGTON - Congressman Patrick McHenry recently received the “Hero of the Taxpayer” award by the nation’s leading taxpayer advocacy group, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

“Commitment and dedication to taxpayer’s interests, has been imperative in the fight against excessive taxation in the 1st session of the 100th Congress,” said Grover Norquist, President of ATR. “These Congressional ratings allow taxpayers to see, when it comes to their hard-earned money, exactly who the heroes and the ‘villains’ are in Congress. It is clear that Patrick McHenry has proven to be a hero.”

ATR double-rates the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” in all its Congressional scorecards. The Pledge is a written promise offered to every incumbent and candidate opposing “any and all tax increases.” Patrick McHenry signed the Pledge when he first ran for Congress in 2004.

“I have never voted for a tax increase on Western North Carolina families and never will. With a federal budget that is expected to grow to $3.1 trillion next year, there is no reason why the federal
government can’t meet its obligations, and then some, without raising taxes,” Congressman McHenry stated.

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That’s Dr. Mickey Barber’s theory. I’m not so sure I buy it, but it’s interesting nonetheless and a creative way to promote your company.

For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2008

For more information, contact:
Lyn Mettler, (843) 388-8376 or
lmettler@mettlerpr.com
AIM: LynMettler

Medical Issues May Be Source of Sanford Snafu Says Age Management Expert

 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtL4l_Rsls0> Mark Sanford on CNN

CHARLESTON, S.C.-It may have been more than just an “off” day for Governor Mark Sanford on CNN Monday, says Charleston age management expert Mickey Barber, MD. Unbalanced hormones, and lack of sleep, could likely have played a role in the embarrassing gaffe that may have cost him the Republican vice presidential nomination.

Barber, CEO of Cenegenics South Carolina <http://www.cenegenics-sc.com> , a Charleston-based age management <http://www.cenegenics-sc.com>  medical institute, regularly helps patients defeat such scenarios as Sanford demonstrated Monday like lack of concentration and focus, poor recall, and low energy. These are often symptoms of unbalanced hormone levels combined with a lack of sleep.

“So many men have hormones that are out of whack, which can have huge impacts on your life, especially for a politician who is expected to be on his toes 24/7,” says Barber. “I’ve noticed Governor Sanford has aged significantly while in office, and that’s one sign that his health is not as good as it should be.”

Barber works with patients to manage the aging process, helping them feel and look years younger by developing a customized plan of hormone optimization, exercise, nutrition, and vitamin and mineral supplementation. Cenegenics takes a preventive approach to health, more thoroughly evaluating their patients than conventional physicians and aiming to stave off, rather than react to, disease and illness.

“We have lots of patients in similar situations as Governor Sanford, many of them successful CEOs and physicians who face the same mental and physical stresses, but who need to be at the top of their game,” says Mickey Barber, MD, CEO of Cenegenics South Carolina. “I’d welcome him to come into our office and be evaluated, so his next TV interview will be memorable for the right reasons.”

Cenegenics South Carolina is a Charleston-based medical
<http://www.cenegenics-sc.com>  institute that helps patients manage the aging process through a customized regimen of exercise, nutrition and hormone optimization to improve their quality of life and feel healthy and years younger than their age. Headed by CEO Mickey Barber, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist and former assistant professor at Tulane University, Cenegenics South Carolina <http://www.cenegenics-sc.com> is one of only three Cenegenics centers in the country. For more information, call 843-724-7272 or visit www.cenegenics-sc.com.

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Editor’s Note: Dr. Barber is available for phone interviews only.

Highlights key differences with Perdue’s defense of status quo

Asheville, N.C. – Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican nominee for governor, today presented a ten point comprehensive conservation and energy plan at the North Carolina Press Association candidate forum in Asheville.  Below is a statement from McCrory:  “High energy prices are bruising our state’s manufacturing, farming and tourism industries and are directly impacting North Carolinians’ ability to provide for their families and to get to work and school.  Meanwhile, politicians like Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue defend a failed status quo and close the door ‘100 percent’ on common sense solutions to the problem.

“The average family in our state has already spent more on higher gas prices this year than they received in their tax refund check.  We may as well have taken money out of the U.S. Treasury and sent it to OPEC and Hugo Chavez! We should be investing in jobs and infrastructure here at home rather than relying on foreign energy sources that fund rogue nations. It’s time for us to take a stand, reinvest those billions of dollars into our own back yard and allow North Carolina families and workers to reap the benefits of economic development and energy independence.”

“We need a comprehensive policy that explores environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind, solar power, hydrogen fuel cells, clean coal and nuclear power; invests in research for alternative fuel sources; and explores for more American energy sources. We need policies that include tax credits for families and businesses, conservation land banking, research and development at our state’s universities and beach renourishment.

 “As Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Committee for the Environment, I consider myself a conservationist. I have enjoyed and valued the beautiful natural resources across North Carolina all my life and want to protect them for future generations.  However, we have a clear choice.   We can continue to spend billions of dollars a day on an unstable energy policy or we can end our dependence on foreign sources by encouraging conservation, investing in alternative energy technologies and tapping into American sources of energy.  Our ability to create jobs, encourage technological advancement and provide for America’s national security depends on our willingness to use American resources to provide energy in a responsible and reasonable way.”

The following is McCrory’s ten point plan:

Conservation and Efficiency Plank
1. Promote mass transit (light rail and clean energy buses that use biodiesel, hybrid or fuel cell technology and natural gas)
2. Encourage land use planning that ensures adequate space for future park and ride facilities, HOV lanes, and future mass and traditional transit corridors.  Also encourage revitalization of brown fields to provide more in-fill development and shorter commutes.
3.  Require state-owned fleets to convert to vehicles that use alternative energy sources such as biodiesel, hybrid, electric, fuel cell and natural gas.
4. Require higher energy efficiency in state-owned and leased facilities through retrofitting and green development.
5. Provide tax incentives for private homeowners and businesses to follow similar conservation and efficiency efforts in transportation, industry and buildings.

Supply Plank
6. Permit deep sea exploration and development off the coast of North Carolina.
7. Promote the use of natural gas.  Only 28 percent of primary energy consumption in the U.S. is utilized by the transportation sector.  Natural gas is used for power generation and utilities such as heating and cooking.   The Manteo Prospect that lies 37 miles off of North Carolina’s coast is estimated to contain 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
8. Utilize clean coal technology by upgrading North Carolina’s coal-fired plants through incentives to install smokestack scrubbing technology to remove Carbon Dioxide. Also expand the use of coal-to-liquids technology.
9. Expand alternative energy sources such as wind, solar power, hydrogen fuel cells, clean coal and nuclear power.
10. Increase energy research and development at North Carolina’s colleges, universities and research centers.  That can be funded in part with royalties from deep sea exploration.

I fully support Mayor Mccrory’s plan, vision, and leadership in bringing common sense back to the state of North Carolina. The Democratic party has turned North Carolina into their private kingdom with only 8 or 9 people actually running this state. They do not allow any debate or admendments to go forward on any law and only have passed Jessica’s law after three years of effort by the people of our great state. Yes, North Carolina is one of the last states to pass Jessica’s law. When we elect Pat McCrory as governor, we will take a step forward in removing the vestiages of entrenched corruption.

Paul Terrell III

Perdue Continues to Reject Statewide Debates
McCrory renews call for joint appearances across the state

Charlotte, N.C. – The North Carolina Association of Broadcasters has cancelled a gubernatorial debate in Asheville on July 20th following Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue’s refusal to participate.  She has already declined forums at WNCN-TV, the Triad Today show and two statewide debates at UNC-TV.“Apparently, Lt. Gov. Perdue thinks she is above being responsive and accountable to the very people she hopes to represent as governor,” said McCrory Campaign Manager Richard Hudson.  “The culture of arrogance and inaccessibility that permeates from Raleigh politicians like Perdue is unacceptable.  North Carolina deserves a governor who will be accessible to the people and openly discuss his or her positions on the issues that affect our state. 

“Pat McCrory has been calling for debates across North Carolina for months and is disappointed that Sunday’s event has been cancelled.  He once again renews his call for the lieutenant governor to move beyond formal, structured speeches and allow the voters to hear a real discussion on the issues.”

Note:  McCrory and Perdue will be making separate appearances at a N.C. Press Association candidate forum tomorrow morning in Asheville.

- # # # -

Paid for by Elect Pat McCrory Governor

South Carolina Republicans aren’t planning a statewide meeting to get input into their national party platform, but the party still plans to welcome all suggestions submitted online.

The GOP is inviting people to create an account on the Web site, www.GOPPlatform2008.com, where they can then participate in polls and submit platform ideas.

State GOP Chairman Katon Dawson said the Internet outreach will improve the transparency of the platform process, and he hopes that it will give more people a sense that they own it.

The Post and Courier

They still don’t know???  For God’s sake conservatives have only been screaming about it for how many years now.  They want low taxes, low government spending, a truly free market (not this federally backed crap we have now that is failing), individual responsibility and personal freedom and liberty!  Basically, everything that neither the national party nor the South Carolina Republican Party stands for now, but lies to voters claiming they do!  The Republican Party is obviously run by blind and deaf gimps because this message has been out there from the grassroots for a hell of a long time.  It’s nothing new and the party clearly isn’t listening or simply doesn’t care because just yesterday 21 Republicans in the U.S. Senate and over 100 Republicans in the House voted against Bush’s veto of the Medicare bill that would have cut doctor’s payments with our tax dollars by 10%.  Medicare and Social Security are the two biggest entitlements that are going to bankrupt this country.

I guess I jumped the gun yesterday.  According to The Herald-Journal as of two hours ago, the Spartanburg County Voter Registration Board disqualified 91 out of the first 500 signatures Brannon submitted yesterday.  That puts him below the threshold of 915 to qualify for the November ballot for the 38th House District race.  I’m sure Millwood is breathing a sigh of relief.

Democrat Larry Kissell, the Biscoe teacher who came within 330 votes of a seat in Congress two years ago, has three times the cash he had at the same point in his last bid, but is still dwarfed by Rep. Robin Hayes’ fundraising.

Kissell had $232,000 cash on hand as of June 30, compared to $83,000 two years ago, campaign finance reports filed Tuesday show.

Charlotte Observer

This is probably going to be the biggest up in the air race in this election year.  If I were to base my analysis on history, I would say odds are Kissell would lose.  In 1994 there a few Republicans that came very close to picking off Democrat incumbents and when they ran against them again in 1996 they lost by a larger margin than before.  However, 2008 is not the same political environment as 1996.  With an energized Democratic electorate behind Barack Obama, Kissell could improve his numbers and emerge victorious.  I don’t underestimate Obama’s ability to implode before the election, though.

I won’t even attempt to make a prediction in this race.  It’s too tough to call.