newsobserver.com projects - Bob Etheridge - Comments

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

MalleusMaleficarum — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:12:57 -0500

Etheridge has dithered so long that it is clear he is not going to announce for the Senate - and he is going to stay right where he is now to accumulate some hard earned privileges of seniority. The real culprits in what is nothing short of a fiasco are the DSCC -- for permitting this winnable race to languish on the vine. While Ken Lewis and Elaine Marshall are excellent candidates, neither of them can raise enough money to defeat Burr - who will have the might of a $60 million war chest as well as Karl Rove in his corner. Cal Cunningham stands head and shoulders over this field as a communicator with a compelling narrative - a US military prosecutor of criminal contractors in Iraq. Cunningham's the man. The DSCC should be ashamed for stalling his crucial campaign.

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

GiggleBox — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:58:58 -0500

No, it's not nutty. But that's about $30 million we don't have. Burr already won when Cal asked for a diaper change, and the rest raised nothing. This is from a Democrat.

Let's move on. The NC HOUSE is MUCH more important since they get to redistrict. Let the baby have his bottle and Burr be a worthless minority vote for the Bush agenda just like Rove recruited him for.

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

Tomarken — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:07 -0500

Not a nut, just a straight shooting Dem who knows that Etheridge, whilst a good guy and good Congressman, can not possibly excite the kinds/number of voters he would need to win next year. Sure, the electorate in off years are older (as I'm sure many people would argue), but 2010 is also going to be an anti-incumbent and anti-Washington year, generally. Etheridge would need an unbelievably awesome ground game to GOTV and beat Burr, but I just don't know who he can excite that much to do it for him.

Sure, I've heard a lot of good things about Cunningham. Lewis is intriguing. I suppose Marshall would appeal to older voters and some women (though, I am not narrow minded enough to just say "hey, put a woman on the ticket - women will obviously vote for them).

The DSCC is just fiddling around because Bob has some history as a decent fundraiser and some cash in the bank. But the DSCC does NOT realize the fact that the only type of candidate that can beat Burr is one who can excite the base, bring fresh ideas to independents and recruit a massive army of ground and media supporters who will work tirelessly for them. I hope, and think, that there is someone in NC like that, but I strongly feel that Etheridge is not that person.

Now, does that sound nutty to you? :)

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

GiggleBox — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:28 -0500

Tomarken, you're obviously a nut, but who are you a nut for?

You sound kinda Cunningham, but I'm just guessing.

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

Tomarken — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:37:56 -0500

Using Etheridge's "dithering" calculations and reticence to make a decision before the House healthcare vote, we are likely not to have his decision until next weekend, or later. Heck, why not wait til 2010 to make your announcement?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/6/801335/-AP,-earning-their-donuts

Why is he waiting and hiding behind a healthcare vote? I suppose he thinks that the Democratic base in NC will be rushing to support his Senate run if he votes for healthcare (and it passes the House). Well, that is about as short sighted and rude as his stalling tactics on making a decision.

You cannot hoodwink yourself into support, volunteers and organizational energy in a campaign that will cost us your House seat and promise another six years of futility and embarassment with Burr.

Please say "No" immediately so we can get on with this winnable, but not with Etheridge in the driver's seat, Senate race.

Drama king, much?

captsfufp — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:28:15 -0500

The answer is no. He's knows it, we know it. But let's just keep all the attention on instead of letting the actual candidates get to work.

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

GiggleBox — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:06:24 -0500

Yes Tomarken, but what do you really think?

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

Tomarken — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:49:54 -0500

This is a disgrace.

Etheridge has been pulling the rug out from others for a looooong time now. This is a mockery. He spoke in August about wanting to wait and see how healthcare panned out before he made a decision. This is a joke. Either he thinks he is capable of winning statewide or he isnt.

And, I can tell you one thing: HE IS NOT! Who is going to wake up at 5am and work 11 months of 18 hours days for a 70 year old freshman senatorial candidate.

This would be Creigh Deeds all over again. If Etheridge decides yes, Dems can just take a break next year. Save your energy for 2012, because Ole Bob isnt going to exite 1 single young, black, female or post graduate voters next year. That group, collectively, is know as the Democratic base.

This just shows how out of touch the DSCC is with North Carolina - by letting this charade go on. We don't want you Bob, so quit dragging your feet and let's clear the way to get a good, young, progressive candidate in there that will excite the base, NOT BE A DC INCUMBENT and who can focus on fresh ideas for jobs and education.

Go home to Lillington Bob and dont come back until you have made the best decision ever: NOT RUNNING FOR SENATE IN 2010.

(Also, H/T to woodcox for the Favre reference. Although, S/he probably just gave Burr a good talking point.)

Re: Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

woodcox — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:22:35 -0500

Wow. Brett Favre thinks Etheridge has a tough time making decisions.

Re: Campaign cash: Congress

BitterEXdemocrat — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:56:50 -0500

Wow, Virginia Foxx lookin good ...necknneck with the football player...

Re: Poll: Public wants health care reform

JohnLloydScharf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:33:10 -0500

USPS/IRS Health Care

If health care is the problem, insurance is not the cause and government is not the answer.

Of those "50 million," that lack insurance there were 45,000 who died without health care.

WITH health care, 98,000 died FROM health care because of malpractice.
The question is do we want to trust that largest corporation in the world, the U.S. Government. Do not expect house calls anytime soon.

We have seen how well the government delivers on its promises and its bureaucracies pursue the money without giving us benefits on so many levels.

Imagine another 111 bureacracies that only ultimately must listen to the Secretary of the Treasury - another "service" of which is the IRS.

http://theprogressivecapitalist.blogspot.com/2009/10/affordable-health-care-for-america-act.html

That blog of mine above has several .pdf connections (HR. 3962 and two summaries, a few videos, and page references for new taxes and other mandates).

If you cannot use the link, google "Progressive Capitalist H.R. 3962."
If you believe the promises of this bill, you have to deal with the lie that it fosters competition with a government option called the "Public Option" and establishes the government as a monopoly making its own rules.
Don't worry. You'll run out of "rich" soon enough.

We have at least a $12 trillion economy of which at least $1.8 trillion is spent on health care.
If you read the bill, there are plenty of opportunities to soak the middle class, if you do not mind the 1.6 million made jobless.
REPUBLICAN Affordable Health Care For America Act MAKING HEALTH Care Affordable For EVERY AmeriCAN

http://thehill.com/images/stories/whitepapers/pdf/ainsfloor_01_xml.pdf

Re: Delegation anxious over visa changes

acpardo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:45:09 -0500

Since no one has apparently noticed, this reader would like to point out that the regulatory changes being recommended by Solis' DOL would simply revert the H2A program back to what it was before the Bush administration's midnight rule-making last December. The NC delegation's letter would make it seem that U.S. DOL is attempting some sort of radical departure from the usual labor contracting rules. This is 100% incorrect.

Re: Delegation anxious over visa changes

j1c2kp — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:28:21 -0500

Is their any oversight with these visas? Who checks to make sure these foreign workers go home? How do they check? Do they follow them to the border?

Re: Delegation anxious over visa changes

Skippyscot — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:01:39 -0500

It is exceedingly disappointing that the letter does not offer any solutions. Surely the raison d'etre of legislators is to solve problems, not to whine that something is wrong.

Re: Poll: Public wants health care reform

TOPASSISTANT — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:08:33 -0500

Those of you who are tired of Rep. Etheridge not responding to written questions, returning phone calls, spending our grandchildren’s wages even before that have earn them, join me if firing him. I asked him where in the Constitution I would find the amendment that gave him permission to mess with my health care, his response, the GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE. I asked him if he ever read Article I Section 8 of the Constitution that limited the authority of the federal government. He would not respond. Join me in the FIRE ETHERIDGE CAMPAIGN by e-mailing me at Smokey1977@att.net
We are already over $100 TRILLION dollars in debt with social security, Medicaid and Medicare. Illegal aliens ARE getting health care by just using someone’s social security number.