Thursday, March 30, 2006 2:59 PM
5 Comments »
That is a rather bleak and inaccurate picture of the Congressional races. First, the 8th district was never the Democrats best chance to pick up a seat. Every news organization and blog placed the 11th as the most competitive race. Second, Larry Kissell, who will now the 8th primary uncontested, could very well be a better candidate than Dunn despite the Iraq credentials. Kissell holds positions more in line with the progressive movement and is ready to hold Hayes to his vote for CAFTA.
In general, it is a shame that there is less turnover adn few competitive districts, but in North Carolina there is still a good chance that two seats will turn from Republican to Democratic.
Comment by TarGator — March 23, 2006 @ 12:49 pm
I meant “now win the” rather than “now the”.
Comment by TarGator — March 23, 2006 @ 12:50 pm
Mr. Pearce - The sword cuts both ways. In the RTP area, we are stuck with the three stooges (Price, Etheridge and Miller). None of these men have accomplished anything over the years to benefit the voters of their respective districts. I had the opportunity of listening to Mr. Price whine about how bad things are in Washington, but he can’t do anything about it. All the nation’s problems can be blamed directly on the President’s Tax Cuts or the “Majority” party. For some reason, during the “Town Hall” meeting, this came to mind:
http://treadonus.com/just_for_fun.html
Be that as it may, neither party is doing what is right for the country. Special interest, sure, but for you, me, and my neighbor, all we are getting is the shaft (from both sides).
Where did all the Mr. (and Mrs.) Smith’s go? (Mr. Smith goes to Washington)
Uncle Ruckus
Gadfly - Like Nero, watching American burn!
Comment by Uncle Ruckus — March 23, 2006 @ 9:53 pm
Gary — I’m not sure I understand you. Do you mean to say that the Raleigh City Council Districts are gerrymandered too? Perhaps Raleigh’s sleeper elections last year were a result of general satisfaction (or lack of real dissatisfaction, at least) with the politicians we have, excepting District A, which was hotly contested. That would be the more likely explanation in that case. Plus, a popular, moderate mayor with popular, moderate programs isn’t likely to really generate that much fierce opposition.
On the congressional level, I’m with you. The districts are gerrymandered without hope, and the fundraising environment ensures that special interests are going to fund only the side that’s going to win anyway — and unlike city races, its much harder for individuals to make a difference unless they have massive amounts of cash.
Comment by n — March 24, 2006 @ 12:33 am
“Kissell holds positions more in line with the progressive movement…”
Yeah, that’s exactly what the Democrats need right now–a more ‘progressive’ candidate. Surely the only reason they continue to be rejected by Americans is that they are seen as too moderate, too rational, too reasonable…
Oh well, there’s always 2008.
Comment by Jim Stegall — March 26, 2006 @ 7:48 pm