newsobserver.com projects - Jim Neal - Comments

Re: Young running for Democratic state chair

AshevilleToday — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:42:48 -0500

We know that David Young can raise money from wealthy investors, attorneys, land developers and corporate executives. Check out his contributions lists on the NC Board of Elections website for 2007 and 2008 during the state Treasurer primary race.
But as a loyal Democrat who has watched from inside as David Young operated in Buncombe County for these many years, I predict he will embarrass and weaken us with scandal if he is elevated to this position.
I believe that most of our NC and Buncombe County elected officials are in government to serve the public. They are there to improve the quality of life of our citizens; they are true public servants. Young has never exhibited this spirit of public service.
David Young is Blagojevich without the Big Shoulders. Everything with him is quid pro quo. He's like the Congressman in the 1970s who said into the FBI tape recorder in a restaurant booth, "I've got larceny in my blood."
You heard it here first: Scandal is a-comin'.

Re: Young running for Democratic state chair

danmanley2299 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:54:20 -0500

I got my doubts about this Young guy, especially after reading this on his thouhgts on collective bargaining. http://www.ncacc.org/perspective/young/young09.html

Re: Young running for Democratic state chair

liam — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:17:06 -0500

In a year that saw unprecedented gains for Democrats across the state, prompted by the Obama campaign's early and continued investment in and organizing of NC, why is it that no one from his campaign structure is stepping up to run?

David Young seems like a nice enough guy, but what makes him worthy of being state party chair? The same goes for the rest of field.

Not to get all starry eyed and HOPE on y'all but NC went through a rapid transformation last year and the Obama campaign put together a fantastic operation from practically nothing, energizing activists and training the next generation of party leaders.

It seems like David Young is a step right back in to the 1990's for Dems here in the Tar Heel state. Someone who will get in the governor's line and follow orders instead of do the hard work needed to build on our success.

He's obviously the odds on favorite now in this already weak field. This is really disappointing for me as a regular, if not obsessive Obama, Hagan and county party volunteer activist. I would have volunteered for Bev if her campaign ever returned my calls or showed any interest in my support at all. If her campaign's field program is reflective of the way she wants to run the party than God help us Democrats.

Re: Young running for Democratic state chair

FFC1304 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:27:02 -0500

WHATs THIS we hear about BLAGO of ILLINOIS using Mike Easely as a comparative crook? ROFLMAO!!! How has Easely gotten away with so much?
Looks like things might heat up a little!!!

I guess if the NC AG wont 'indict', the Illinois media will!!!

Its in the news in IL, but WHEN will we see it here??? LOLOL>>>>

Re: Perdue not taking sides in chair fight?

TReid22 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:50:54 -0500

I have not been impressed with any of the names that have been tossed around to lead our party for the next term. I am on the Executive Council and I hope sincerely the above rumor about Jack Nichols is true. He stands above the rest of the field and will help the Governor with her agenda as well as look out for party activists and the local races.

Re: Sullivan not running

bohrmb — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:42:11 -0500

I think Neal would be a great choice. He would bring a breath of fresh air into the party. Besides, he doesn't need the money.

Re: Sullivan not running

WhyNotNeal — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:16:04 -0500

I bet Neal doesn't know the position is unpaid.

Re: Neal mulling run for party chair

thinc — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:00:16 -0500

I respect jim's cojones in running as an out gay man in North Carolina. That is not an easy task to take up.

But his campaign was run on chutzpah and energy, not organizational ability. In fact, it was mostly a model of disorganization. Near the end, they even put out a faux newspaper that stated a position contradictory to Jim's.

And don't even try to raise the fundraising canard. He was pitiful, loaning himself more than he raised from other people (IIRC).

I harbor some admiration for Jim, but he would be a poor choice for state chair.

Re: Neal mulling run for party chair

liam — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:08:56 -0500

Neal's supposed fundraising prowess was nothing more than a campaign fabrication. Of all the statewide candidates in NC for the May primary, I think Neal raised the least (not including the money he gave to himself). He has done nothing for the party, has no history in the state and he always has this obnoxious air of entitlement around him.
Neal ran one of the worst campaigns in recent memory and would be a disaster for the state dem party. Need proof? Neal only got a few percent more of the vote in the May primary than Marcus Williams...

Marcus Williams for State Party Chair!!!

Re: Hmmmm....

RalAtty68 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:14:57 -0500

Neal's outstanding debt is more than likely money he personally loaned to his campaign. Unless Hillary Clinton has any advice to give, I doubt he'll see that money again. This guy is an ex-investment banker, and has been a top national fundraiser for numerous campaigns (Wesley Clark, John Kerry). I'm sure he has the fundraising know-how required, and would certainly be largely successful.

Hmmmm....

cornbread — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:08:02 -0500

I thought one of the things Neal supposedly brought to the table in his Senate run was being a "self-funder," but the last FEC report indicated that his campaign was still in debt.

This doesn't necessarily rule him out, but I would question his fundraising capacity if his campaign is still in debt.

Re: Hagan touts fundraising figures

FFC1304 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:41:04 -0400

But, but, but...how MUCH MONEY has she SAVED her constituents while in state office??? does she EVER have an answer to that question?

Re: Hagan touts fundraising figures

uncgop — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:43:36 -0400

She touted in a mailer with three weeks left in the cycle that she had 1.5 million. And she only raised 100,000 in that three week period since her mailer...I am calling bluff.

Re: Hagan touts fundraising figures

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:22:25 -0400

For those keeping track of the Fundraiser's Dilemma, the e-mail from Hagan's campaign went out at 12:04 p.m. today.

— RTB

As he writes on his Daily Kos diary

James_Protzman — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:12:50 -0400

after he wrote on his BlueNC diary.

Just saying.