Justin Guillory Responds
2012-04-27 - by
Following is Justin’s response to my blog (see below) about his N&O op-ed:
“Thanks for taking an interest in my op-ed. Here is my take on your questions:
“First, I disagree that progressive politics are not business friendly. The current Republican leadership has taken us so far to the right that we need a shift to the left just to keep from scaring off business. Look at all the CEOs speaking out against Amendment One recently. Education, in particular our universities, is another example of progressive policy that is also business friendly.
“Second, my critique is not of the progressive/business coalition, age or even ideology. It’s about a lack of vision. For too long, Democrats have been too worried about the next election to stand for anything big and bold. That formula isn’t working.
“McCrory is up in the polls by double digits and it looks like the GOP will control the legislature for the next decade. North Carolina Democrats need to do something different, because what they are doing right now isn’t working. That a Chicago politician named Barack Obama is leading polls in North Carolina, while our local Democratic candidates for Governor are losing is very telling. That said, the Democratic nominee will have time to confound expectations.
“Age does play a role in my critique, because young people naturally have a longer-term view of the challenges we face and are more willing to take chances. But there are plenty of politicians who think that way in their 40s, 50s or 60s. I cited tax modernization in the op-ed. That’s not particularly liberal or conservative, but it is a long-term solution to a big problem. North Carolina Democrats would be better served giving some new blood a chance, regardless of their age.”
Justin Guillory Responds
2012-04-27/
Following is Justin’s response to my blog (see below) about his N&O op-ed:
“Thanks for taking an interest in my op-ed. Here is my take on your questions:
“First, I disagree that progressive politics are not business friendly. The current Republican leadership has taken us so far to the right that we need a shift to the left just to keep from scaring off business. Look at all the CEOs speaking out against Amendment One recently. Education, in particular our universities, is another example of progressive policy that is also business friendly.
“Second, my critique is not of the progressive/business coalition, age or even ideology. It’s about a lack of vision. For too long, Democrats have been too worried about the next election to stand for anything big and bold. That formula isn’t working.
“McCrory is up in the polls by double digits and it looks like the GOP will control the legislature for the next decade. North Carolina Democrats need to do something different, because what they are doing right now isn’t working. That a Chicago politician named Barack Obama is leading polls in North Carolina, while our local Democratic candidates for Governor are losing is very telling. That said, the Democratic nominee will have time to confound expectations.
“Age does play a role in my critique, because young people naturally have a longer-term view of the challenges we face and are more willing to take chances. But there are plenty of politicians who think that way in their 40s, 50s or 60s. I cited tax modernization in the op-ed. That’s not particularly liberal or conservative, but it is a long-term solution to a big problem. North Carolina Democrats would be better served giving some new blood a chance, regardless of their age.”