Under the Dome blog

Dole shakes up campaign

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:50:18 -0400

There has been a shakeup in the Senate campaign of GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

J. Sam Daniels, the campaign manager, has been shifted into the role of a top fund raiser, Rob Christensen reports. He will be replaced by Marty Ryall, who until recently ran the gubernatorial campaign of Bill Graham.

Daniels is a former executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party and he had also worked in the 2000 gubernatorial campaign of Bill Cobey.

There was no immediate reason given for the shuffle. But recent polls have shown that Dole has a much closer race against Democrat Kay Hagan than many had anticipated.

No immediate word from the Dole campaign.

Bob and Elizabeth reminisce

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:36:44 -0400

Sen. Elizabeth Dole's new campaign Web site includes a five-minute video in which she and her husband, former Sen. Bob Dole, talk about how they met.

The video, which features lighting design that would make Barbara Walters' producers jealous, is modeled loosely on segments from the film, "When Harry Met Sally," in which couples talk about how they met. In the Dole's case, there was an initial attraction, followed by a series of phone calls, particularly from the shy Bob Dole.

She was in his office to discuss a policy issue.

"A side door opened. Bob Dole Walked in. And I remember looking up at him and thinking, 'My goodness, he's an attractive man.'"

He noticed too.

"I think that's the first time I saw her, and I thought to myself, this is not a bad little meeting we're having here," he said.

When Elizabeth Met Bob

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:31:47 -0400

Campaign video from Sen. Elizabeth Dole's Web site.

Burr: Investigate Texas VA hospital

bkrueger — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:27:20 -0400

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr joined his Democratic colleague on the Senate Veteran Affairs committee today in calling for an independent investigation into a veterans hospital in Texas and its diagnoses of PTSD.

Burr, of Winston-Salem, is the top Republican on the committee. He and Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, the panel’s chairman, said the Inspector General for the Veteran Affairs department needs to look into diagnoses at the medical center in Temple, Texas, reports Barb Barrett.

There, an employee recently sent out an e-mail suggesting that workers not diagnose post-praumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, among patients.

“It is troubling if even one person at VA would encourage other employees to make anything other than a completely honest health assessment of our veterans,” Burr said. “These allegations are serious.”

Price: Bush took a 'cheap shot'

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:15:12 -0400

U.S. Rep. David Price says he’s disappointed with President Bush’s remarks to the Israeli parliament on Thursday, just 24 hours after Price and about 50 other members of Congress urged Bush to promote diplomacy in his visit to the region this week.

"The president’s comments yesterday demonstrated that he is far more committed to political cheap shots than he is to actually pursuing peace in the Middle East," Price said.

During the celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, Bush compared those who would talk with Iran and radical Islamic groups to Nazis’ appeasers, angering many in the Palestinian territories and in the United States.

"That he would use such a solemn occasion in a foreign land as a campaign stop, undermining his own stated commitment to a peaceful resolution, is not only disgraceful; it speaks volumes about the broader failure of his foreign policy," said Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat.

"The letter that I, along with 51 of my colleagues, sent to President Bush this week encouraged precisely the opposite course: leadership that understands the imperative for peace and takes the steps necessary to achieve that goal," Price said.

Dole braces supporters for attacks

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:01:01 -0400

Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole must have been watching the polls in recent days, because she predicts a hard-fought race to keep her seat next fall.

In her first blog post on her new election site, Dole says she expects to have to defend her record against attacks.

"Modern campaigns have become a contact sport, so please anticipate that this campaign – and yours truly – will come under attack," Dole writes. "There will be careless attacks – personal attacks – votes and issues taken out of context – maybe even outright falsehoods."

Recent polls show Dole just a few points ahead of Democratic challenger Kay Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro, and national pundits are beginning to wonder whether Dole could be in trouble next fall.

Her new campaign Web site followed the model of those by many of the presidential candidates, offering ways for readers to interact with the campaign, register to vote and make donations online.

Labor candidates want a recount

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:46:26 -0400

The third and fourth place finishers in the Democratic primary for state Labor Commissioner want a recount.

Mary Fant Donnan of Winston Salem finished first, but failed to get the 40 percent of the vote that would have allowed her to avoid a runoff with former labor commissioner John Brooks of Raleigh, Michael Biesecker reports.

However, state law allows candidates in a statewide race who finish either .5 percent or less 10,000 votes behind a prevailing candidate to request a recount.

Though the primary won't be certified by the state Board of Elections until next week, complete but unofficial results show Brooks at 24.36 percent, candidate Ty Richardson at 24.18 percent and Raleigh lawyer Robin Anderson at 23.92 percent.

Both Richardson and Anderson filed for a recount by the deadline Thursday.

Easley proposes capital visitor's center

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:59:44 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal includes $40.4 million for a new capital visitor's center.

The existing visitor's center, isn't a center at all, David Bracken reports. It's a reception desk hidden in a corner of the N.C. Museum of History's lobby.

"It's been so embarrassing for us when people walk in and say, 'Is this the visitor center?'" said Jackie Parrish, the center's acting director. "First they have to find us, and then they have to find a parking space. They are fit to be tied when they get in here."

Easley's proposal is for a new 55,000-square-foot visitors center by 2011, which would feature a stand-alone center and a two-level underground parking garage.

The new center would be the second large development project undertaken by the state downtown.

The $109 million Green Square project calls for construction of a Department of Environment and Natural Resources building, an expansion of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and an underground parking facility.

The visitors center would be directly east of the Museum of History on what is now a paved parking lot for state workers. Among its amenities would be an outdoor plaza, classroom space, a drop-off point for school buses, and designated parking.

Price arms Bush with Middle East letter

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:32:43 -0400

President Bush went to the Middle East this week carrying a letter co-written by U.S. Rep. David Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, urging a new approach to diplomacy between Israel and Palestinians in the troubled region.

Price and U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican, urged an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. They also asked Bush to work with Egypt, Israel and other nations to negotiate a ceasefire and other peaceful solutions to the violence.

They were joined by 50 other members of Congress in sending the letter.

The letter condemns the ongoing rocket attacks from Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups into Israel this year, and defends Israel’s right to self-defense, which, it notes, has killed Palestinian civilians.

"We are concerned that unless something changes, progress toward an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement will continually be hampered by the violence in southern Israel and Gaza," the letter states.

More after the jump.

Document(s):
mideast_letter.pdf

State GOP blasts e-mail panel

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:08:47 -0400

State Republican party chairwoman Linda Daves blasted the work of a panel convened to review the state's policy toward electronic public records.

Daves said the committee's recommendations, which include more training for state employees and a five-year archive for messages, don't stop state employees from improperly deleting e-mail messages.

"The group studies the issue for two months on the taxpayer dime and then releases recommendations that don't even address the problem for which the panel was originally convened," Daves said in a statement. "This is a perfect example of Raleigh politics. Speak loudly. Do nothing."

Bush to praise troops in Bragg visit

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:48:05 -0400

There are no details yet on what President Bush will talk about next week at Fort Bragg, but expect to hear accolades for the troops rather than political talk about the war supplemental bill being wrangled through Congress right now.

Fort Bragg just received good news today, when its commander said the 82nd Airborne division’s 1st brigade would return from Iraq three months early, Barb Barrett reports.

The unit of 3,500 paratroopers doesn’t leave Iraq until July, though, so they won’t be there to hear Bush’s remarks next week.

“The president looks forward to visiting Fort Bragg and thanking our soldiers and their families for their service and sacrifice in the war on terror,” White House spokeswoman Jeannie Mamo said this morning.

Parker not holding out for attention

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:50:51 -0400

David Parker, superdelegate from Statesville, takes issue with Dome's read that he likes the attention that comes with being undeclared in the tight presidential primary.

"I don't know that I enjoy the attention. I enjoy talking about Democratic politics," he said.

Look for Parker's endorsement decision after June 3, when South Dakota holds the last primary. That will be "a logical time," Parker said.

Bush to speak to troops at Bragg

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:07:12 -0400

President Bush will be at Fort Bragg on Thursday to make remarks at a division review ceremony before troops there.

Barb Barrett reports that the president will speak at 10 a.m., according to the White House.

State taking fed money seriosly

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:59:43 -0400

The federal government's decision to withhold payment of $175 million for a state mental health program because of concerns that the state had been paying improper claims is a good deal more serious than the governor's senior adviser described it.

Dan Gerlach, Gov. Mike Easley's senior policy adviser, called it a "a cash-flow issue" after The News & Observer found out about the deferral last month and began asking questions, Pat Stith reports.

"They're not saying, 'We're not going to pay,'" Gerlach said. "They're just saying, 'We need some questions answered about this.'"

But eight days later, Dempsey Benton, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, was singing a different song. In a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Benton said "a deferral of this magnitude is financially disastrous to the citizens of NC and any additional deferment threatens the sustainability of the entire N.C. Medicaid program."

Benton said his letter was "our first step in offering clarification" leading to release of the money.

"We are confident that we have effectively managed this program such that there is no unusual risk for abuse present today as mentioned in the deferral letter," Benton wrote.

More after the jump.

Dole-Hagan race getting national attention

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:50:43 -0400

North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, which many observers thought would be a yawner, continues to get national attention.

Chris Cillizza, the columnist for the Washingtonpost.com’s political blog, has moved the Elizabeth Dole-Kay Hagan race into his top ten of Senate races in the fall, Rob Christensen reports.

We’ve been somewhat slow to come around on this race — North Carolina is, after all, a conservative state. Sen. Kay Hagan ran a solid primary campaign and gets rave reviews from Democratic operatives who aren’t easily impressed.
Democrats are also overjoyed with several polls (of varying credibility) that show Hagan running virtually even with Sen. Elizabeth Dole. That seems a bit ambitious but with Sen. Barack Obama promising to contest the Tarheel State and Hagan preparing to run a well funded and active campaign, this race could get interesting.

State workers can still delete e-mail

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:26:48 -0400

A panel appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to review his administration's deletion of e-mail messages unanimously approved recommendations Thursday aimed at ensuring that state employees know the public records law and have the technology needed to comply.

But the panel's suggestions, if implemented, will do nothing to prevent employees from knowingly circumventing the law — the very accusation that triggered the group's creation.

"They treated the symptoms, but the disease rages on," surmised Beth Grace, the executive director of the N.C. Press Association, after the panel's vote.

The panel recommended that Easley start a new training program that would require state employees who handle public records to complete a one-hour online tutorial about what the law requires. Similar training has been available previously, but was voluntary.

The panel also recommended extending the automatic back-up of e-mail on state servers from 30 days to five years. (N&O)

Ralls: Immigrant decision not hasty

janestancill — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:12:04 -0400

N.C. Community College System leaders checked and rechecked with the Attorney General's office before barring illegal immigrants from admission, System President Scott Ralls told the community college board Thursday.

Ralls walked through the events of the past few days with the board Thursday, reports Mark Johnson of The Charlotte Observer.

Ralls received an advisory letter from Attorney General Roy Cooper's office last week indicating that their reading of federal law was that the state could not admit undocumented students. The letter was the result of a request for guidance from the community college system.

"Their opinion was not black and white," Shante Martin, the system's top lawyer, told the board.

So community college officials went back to lawyers in the attorney general's office to clarify: "Is this your advice?" Ralls said during his first board meeting as the system's new president.

The next day, news stories quoted U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials saying the opposite, that federal law did not require a ban.

Again, the community college leaders turned to Cooper's office."They indicated they would stand by their advisory letter," Ralls said.

Now the system awaits more guidance from the federal government. "We have become the poster children of why there needs to be federal clarification on these issues," Ralls said.

Dealing with crowded prisons

bkrueger — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:11:47 -0400

State lawmakers showed little interest today in avoiding another big prison construction bill this session.

In fact, they laughed when Rep. Ronnie Sutton, a Pembroke Democrat, asked whether they would look at legislation that spends more on prevention and less on incarceration, reports Dan Kane.

"Is there anyone that thinks we're going to change our mode of operation?" Sutton asked, after lawmakers listened to a report of options to deal with a rapidly growing prison population.

Today, the state prison system is again out of space. Prisons Director Boyd Bennett said he has sent notice to county jails that they will have to hold convicted and sentenced inmates until a new 1,500 bed prison opens up in Columbus County at the end of summer.

The prison, though, is only a temporary fix. Projections show that the system could be 1,800 inmates over capacity by 2012.

Fallout from Edwards' endorsement

bkrueger — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:56:42 -0400

Some of the reaction to John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama:

From The Fix: Former Clinton administration official describes Edwards as "troubadour of the working class," and says endorsement makes it more difficult for Hillary Clinton to argue the working class won't support Obama.

From RealClearPolitics: Edwards' endorsement was the second most important endorsement of the day for Obama. The most important was from NARAL Pro-Choice America, the first major women's group to abandon Clinton.

From The New York Times: Despite publically saying he's not interest, Edwards has privately told aides he would consider role of vice president and is interested in being attorney general.

Hagan, Dalton to "advise" on budget

bkrueger — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:32:03 -0400

The state Senate has two new budget committee chairman, Charlie Dannelly of Charlotte and Charles Albertson of Beulaville.

They replace Sens. Kay Hagan of Greensboro and Walter Dalton of Rutherfordton, who will step down to "advisory" roles, reports Lynn Bonner. Read: They don't have to go to all the meetings.

Hagan and Dalton are running for higher office, she for U.S. Senate and he for lieutenant governor.

Dannelly and Albertson join Sen. Linda Garrou of Winston-Salem as the so-called "big chairs" on the Senate budget writing committee.

Morse is in it to win it

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:05:04 -0400

After trying his best to lose, Stan Morse now says he's in it to win.

Morse is the candidate who endorsed his opponent, campaigned against himself and issued a concession speech the day before the election — but ended up winning the primary.

He faces one-term Republican uncumbent Rep. Marilyn Avila in November.

"Let's face it, I'm an amateur," Morse said Wednesday. "But I think the voters of the 40th district should have a true representative, not one who is bought and paid for by one giant special interest group. My campaign will show that big money will not keep informed voters from seeing the truth."

Morse's primary opponent, Stan Hart Brewer, called him Wednesday and offered to transfer the remaining balance of his campaign account, more than $3,000, to his campaign.

"I was surprised," Brewer said. "Having had my opponent's endorsement, I didn't really feel I had to spend any money on a primary campaign. But apparently that was not a correct assumption." (N&O)

Edwards endorses Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:10:49 -0400

John Edwards has officially endorsed Barack Obama.

The former presidential candidate made a surprise appearance with Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., as the Illinois senator campaigns in a critical general election battleground state, the Associated Press reports.

Edwards, who received a thunderous ovation when Obama introduced him to a crowd of several thousand, said, "brothers and sisters, we must come together as Democrats" to defeat Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

"We are here tonight because the Democratic voters have made their choice, and so have I," he said.

He said Obama "stands with me" in a fight to cut poverty in half within 10 years. Obama later said that he would support the effort.

Edwards also praised Clinton, saying "we are a stronger party" because of her involvement, and "we're going to have a stronger nominee in the fall because of her work."

RNC: Why didn't Edwards endorse sooner?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:00:44 -0400

The Republican National Committee has its own take on John Edwards' endorsement.

RNC Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan released a statement this afternoon:

"Barack Obama and John Edwards share an out-of-touch agenda that would raise taxes on families while cutting funding for our troops. The only question is why didn't Edwards endorse sooner? Edwards' endorsement of a candidate he previously blasted as inexperienced, hypocritical, and lacking substance will not help Obama with voters looking for real change."

Mudcat on Edwards endorsement

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:38:05 -0400

David "Mudcat" Saunders has his own take on John Edwards' endorsement.

A chief adviser to Edwards' presidential campaign on rural affairs, Saunders said the timing of the loss couldn't be better given Obama's resounding loss in West Virginia Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

And, being a man named Mudcat after all, he put it in his own inimitable way:

"For Barack Obama, I think he ought to kiss Johnny Edwards on the lips to kill this 41-point loss," he said. "The story is not going to be the 41-point loss. It's going to be Edwards' endorsement."

Edwards to endorse Obama

bkrueger — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:36:09 -0400

The Associated Press is reporting that John Edwards is about to endorse Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

Hackney: Commission was to enforce ethics

bniolet — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:44:00 -0400

House Speaker Joe Hackney says the original intent of the state ethics law was to put the State Ethics Commission in charge of enforcement.

Hackney, an Orange County Democrat, said he has not read a bill that would ban the state auditor from enforcing the ethics law.

"I'll read the bill, and I'll think about it, and I'll listen to all sides," he said. "Let the debate play out, and we'll see how it goes."

Eight ball on Edwards endorsement

bniolet — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:37:04 -0400

It's time to pit the Huffington Post against everyone's favorite fortune-telling desk toy.

An item on the Huffington Post is predicting that John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama tonight in Michigan.

The Obama campaign has announced a "major national endorsement" for a rally tonight at 7pm in Michigan, and the rumor mill is swirling that it is none other than Sen. John Edwards.

The Magic Eight Ball's take: "Yes Definitely."

Stam sees a role for auditor

bniolet — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:21:27 -0400

Rep. Paul Stam says he believes both the state auditor and the ethics commission should play a role in enforcing the state ethics law.

"I do think there needs to be better coordination where there is overlap but without removing the duties of the auditor," said Stam, the House Minority Leader and an Apex Republican. "I like checks and balances."

Stam said he has seen only the outlines of a bill that would prohibit the auditor from investigating ethics cases, Ryan Teague Beckwith reports.

If the auditor's office is barred from ethics investigations, then only a house committee, the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee would review cases involving lawmakers. Stam is a member of that committee.

"I don't think this committee would whitewash anything," he said. "But hypothetically, six years from now with a different group of people, if it did whitewash something, who would know?"

Clinton meeting postponed

bkrueger — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:04:50 -0400

Sen. Hillary Clinton postponed a planned meeting today with U.S. Reps. Mike McIntyre and Bob Etheridge, both of whom are still being wooed by the Democratic presidential candidates.

Tip about legislator led to ethics fuss

bniolet — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:48:27 -0400

A potential ethics violation involving a legislator is at the heart of a dispute over which state agency has the right to run ethics investigations.

The identity of the legislator whose case led to the controversy has not been made public.

The legislature's ethics committee met this morning to discuss a bill that would prohibit the state auditor from investigating violations of the ethics law.

The law governs conflicts of interest and other issues for lawmakers, elected officials, appointed board members, university employees and thousands of public servants. It was written in response to a series of scandals primarily involving legislators.

The State Ethics Commission was created to enforce and interpret the law. The commission includes four Democrats and four Republicans and has expertise in the ethics law, says Perry Newson, the commission's executive director.

But state Auditor Les Merritt, who is elected statewide, said he should have the right to investigate potential conflicts of interest.

Taking his office out of the picture, he said, would mean fewer investigators to watch public officials and less transparency for the public. Because lawmakers treat themselves differently under the ethics law, allegations against lawmakers could remain secret, Merritt argued.

Alliance: Raise cigarette tax more

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:34:47 -0400

The N.C. Alliance for Health says 20 cents is not enough.

The nonprofit coalition of health care associations argues that Gov. Mike Easley's proposed increase in the cigarette tax from 35 to 55 cents a pack will not stop people from smoking.

In a press release, the group argues that tax increases of 20 cents per pack or less "provide no significant smoking reductions" or related savings in health care costs.

Instead, using the slogan "75 Saves Lives!," it argues that the state should raise the tax 75 cents.

The group argues that would preent nearly 95,000 pre-teens and teen-agers from starting to smoke while causing a 16 percent decrease in youth smoking. It would also raise $347 million, as opposed to the $111.4 million the lower increase would generate.

North Carolina currently as the seventh-lowest cigarette tax in the country. The tax has been raised only three times in the past 17 years, and legislators are skeptical about the latest proposal.

Lake joins Shanahan Law Group

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:01:41 -0400

I. Beverly Lake Jr. has joined the Shanahan Law Group.

The former chief justice of the state Supreme Court will be a senior counsel at the Raleigh law firm, handling general corporate representation as well as litigation and appellate cases.

"Justice Lake is widely respected in legal, political and business circles throughout our state, and we are fortunate to have him on our team," said firm founder Kieran Shanahan.

A graduate of Wake Forest University's law school, Lake served two terms in the state Senate, ran for governor as the Republican nominee in 1980 and served on the Supreme Court from 1992 to 2006, when he was required to step down because of his age.

Stam digs deep to oppose transfer tax

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:31:18 -0400

State Rep. Paul Stam is not a fan of the transfer tax.

The House Republican leader not only opposed the tax in the legislature, he also sent a guest editorial to local newspapers in counties that had put it up to a referendum.

But in Tyrrell County, he was told the local paper had no room for his editorial.

So Stam, as he told it at the North Carolina Chamber luncheon this afternoon, dug into his own pocket and paid $67 to the weekly Scuppernong Reminder to run the editorial as an ad.

Etheridge meeting with Clinton

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:15:26 -0400

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge also is scheduled to meet with Hillary Clinton today.

The Lillington Democrat and U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre of Lumberton are the only two uncommitted Democrats in the Tar Heel delegation, Barb Barrett reports.

Earlier: McIntyre meets with Clinton; Etheridge meets with Barack Obama.

Berger: Pay teachers differently

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:58:49 -0400

State Sen. Phil Berger thinks teachers should be paid differently.

Speaking at the North Carolina Chamber luncheon this afternoon, the Senate Republican leader said that teachers should be paid more for working in challenging environments or for taking jobs that school systems are having trouble filling, such as those in math, science and special education.

"More money, blindly spent, by adding to existing strategies is not the right answer in public education," he said.

He criticized Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget for cutting a pilot program that used pay as an incentive to hire math and science teachers.

Berger also called for the state to make "a serious commitment" to career, vocational and technical education, saying that today's graduates are not skilled enough for jobs in automotive repair or other fields.

He also called for reining in government spending in order to reduce taxes.

"We've been growing government at rates that cannot be sustained," he said.

Basnight: No tax increases this year

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:44:26 -0400

Senate leader Marc Basnight said there won't be any tax hikes.

In a brief speech before the North Carolina Chamber this afternoon, he said that the legislature will focus on boosting education and fixing the mental health care system.

"I don't believe you'll see taxes this year whatsoever — any kind of increase," he said.

Kondracke surprised at Dole standing

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:40:06 -0400

Mort Kondracke said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole may be in for a fight.

At a luncheon speech before the North Carolina Chamber this afternoon, the longtime Washington-based political reporter said that Dole may have a tougher re-election campaign than expected.

"I was amazed that Elizabeth Dole was in as much trouble as she seems to be," he said. "Washington does not know that."

A recent poll showed Dole only five points ahead of Democratic nominee Kay Hagan.

He said he did not know whether Barack Obama or John McCain's coattails would affect the Senate race in North Carolina, but he said that if she makes illegal immigration a centerpiece of her campaign, for example, the presidential race might not make a difference.

Still, he said McCain likes Dole.

"Sure, he likes her," he said. "Everybody likes her."

One vote for Hillary

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:13:34 -0400

A sliver of good news for Hillary Clinton came today in Raleigh.

During a luncheon of the North Carolina Chamber at the Marbles museum downtown, guest speaker Mort Kondracke asked the crowd of a few hundred business executives and lobbyists to guess who they think will win the fall election.

He started with John McCain, and about 55 percent of the room raised its hand.

Then he asked about Barack Obama, and about 44 percent of the room raised its hand.

Then, almost as an afterthought, he asked about Clinton. One woman sitting the near the front of the room raised her hand.

"One vote for Hillary!" he said, with a laugh.

Kondracke: Chance for change this year

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:08:37 -0400

Mort Kondracke thinks there is a political opening in the Washington, D.C., right now.

Speaking at a North Carolina Chamber luncheon today, the longtime political reporter and editor of the Roll Call newspaper said that "poisonous partisanship" has rendered the federal government incapable of solving problems with Social Security and Medicare entitlements and the education system.

He said that there is a chance if the nominees are John McCain and Barack Obama — and to a lesser degree Hillary Clinton — to have a "high-level policy debate from the left and the right" in the election.

But he warned that there is a lot of "institutional resistance" to this happening.

"One group that's institutionally opposed to that is the whole industry of politics and political consultants and pollsters and ad people who exist to demonize the opposition," he said. "Negative ads are their stock in trade."

He also said there will be resistance from the media, which he said profits "as much from peddling conflict and scandal as it does just reporting the news."

Dollar focused on transportation

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:33:47 -0400

State Rep. Nelson Dollar is focused on roads.

The Cary Republican said that his biggest priority during the short session is putting together a transportation bond for the fall and spending more road money on urban and suburban congestion.

"We need to fix the transportation funding formula so that we're addressing areas like we have here in the Triangle where commuters are driving on roads that were never designed for commuter traffic," he said.

Aside from the budget, his biggest goal is enacting a temporary moratorium on involuntary annexations.

"You've got far too many cities and towns in the past 10 years that have been aggressively reaching out and trying to grab these folks for their tax base," he said. "These folks have no real voice in the process."

McIntyre meeting with Clinton

bkrueger — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:05:36 -0400

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre plans to meet today with Sen. Hillary Clinton as he continues to be wooed by the Democratic presidential candidates.

McIntyre and U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge are the only Democrats in North Carolina's congressional delegation who have yet to make endorsements in the race, reports Barb Barrett.

“I’m remaining uncommitted,” McIntyre said in an interview. “Both camps understand that. That doesn’t mean they’re not trying.”

McIntyre met twice with Sen. Barack Obama last Thursday, once as a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, once with other Democrats from North Carolina.

McIntyre, of Lumberton, said he talked with Obama about the importance of beach renourishment and dredging the intracoastal waterway, both issues that have not been high priorities for the Bush administration.

McIntyre said he thinks all the states and territories ought to have their chance to vote in primaries this year, a sentiment echoed by the Clinton camp.

“The superdelegates’ role is to broker the best nominee,” McIntyre said.