endorsements

We thought elephants don't forget

markjohnson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:54:39 -0500

Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue promises to be accessible to the news media ... and to remember who they endorsed.

Perdue, a Democrat, emphasized to Dome in an interview Wednesday that she will meet with the press frequently. That's in contrast to her predecessor, Gov. Mike Easley. Her promises of accessibility come despite every major newspaper in the state endorsing her Republican opponent, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, last fall. And she remembers.

"This at least gives me an opportunity to talk trash and jab you about no endorsement," Perdue said, laughing. "You'll hear that for the next four years."

She lightheartedly recounted how her campaign decided to poll voters on the impact of the endorsements. Less than half of the respondents knew that the larger papers in the state had endorsed a candidate. Of those who knew, 27 percent thought the papers endorsed her.

SEANC candidates did well

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:23:24 -0500

Election Day was a good day for SEANC.

Only 17 of the 121 candidates endorsed by the State Employees Association of North Carolina did not win election — an 86 percent success rate for the state workers' group.

Big wins included Governor-elect Beverly Perdue, who writes the state budget and can veto legislation on state workers' issues; Lt. Governor-elect Walter Dalton, who presides over the state Senate; 29 of 32 endorsed Senate races and 67 of 74 House races.

Among the disappointments was state Auditor Les Merritt, a rare Republican to receive the group's backing; Commissioner of Labor Mary Fant Donnan, who had pledged to be more labor-friendly; and Ed Ridpath, a perennial candidate who had hoped to unseat House Republican leader Paul Stam.

State organizer Kevin LeCount said SEANC's political action committee spent about $250,000 on the election, including 48,500 mailers touting the endorsements and donations of up to $4,000 to legislative candidates.

SEANC's national affiliate, the Service Employees International Union, also spent money on the governor's race.

Claims Dept: Hagan's 'Crackdown' ad

ryanteaguebeckwith — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:20:35 -0400

In a new ad, Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan criticizes negative ads from Sen. Elizabeth Dole and notes her record on illegal immigration.

What the ad says: The ad shows images of Dole's ads and Hagan talking with law enforcement officers and voters. Narrator: "Now she's crossed the line. Newspapers are condemning Elizabeth Dole's shameful attacks. A lie born of Dole's desperation. Worse than dishonest. And now new lies about Kay Hagan's immigration record. The facts: Hagan voted to ban driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Kay's been endorsed by 53 sheriffs, who know she's cracked down on a crisis Washington created. It's time for the truth. And a change." Hagan: "I'm Kay Hagan and I approve this message."

The background: The ad makes several claims about the Senate race.

EDITORIALS: Three major North Carolina newspapers wrote editorials chastizing Dole over a recent ad about Hagan's ties to a member of the Godless Americans PAC.

The Wilmington Star-News wrote that it was "shameful even by today's threshold for slime" and "smacks of desperation." The Charlotte Observer wrote that it was "a lie born of Dole's desperation in a race in which she has trailed for weeks."

And the Greensboro News-Record said it was "worse than dishonest" in depicting Hagan as "godless."

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Starting in 2000, state Republicans pushed legislation to make it impossible for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.

The state Senate's Democratic leadership sent all of the bills to die in committee, but a provision in the 2001 budget made it slightly more difficult for illegal immigrants to get a license.

Other Republican bills died in committee over the next several years. In 2006, the House amended a Senate bill to make it impossible for illegal immigrants to get licenses.

Hagan voted for both bills, but she played only a supporting role in the process and did not intervene when earlier Republican measures were pushed aside.

She also cosponsored a 2008 bill requiring employers verify information on new employees and helped pass the 2007 budget, which included $750,000 to help promote a deportation program.

SHERIFFS: In late August, 53 of North Carolina's 100 sheriffs endorsed Hagan, according to the Associated Press. About two-thirds of the sheriffs are Democrats, and none of the Republican sheriffs endorsed her.

Is it accurate? It's overstated. It's true that Hagan voted to ban driver's licenses and supported other measures, but she hardly led a crackdown on illegal immigration. The claims about newspaper editorials and sheriff's endorsements are accurate.

— Ryan Teague Beckwith

Junior Johnson blogs for Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:33:55 -0400

Junior Johnson is getting out the word for Barack Obama.

In a post on BlueNC, the Hall of Fame NASCAR driver says that he is the last person you'd expect to be promoting the Democratic presidential candidate.

"I've voted for many Republicans over many decades. And let’s face it — NASCAR car drivers and Democrats don't usually mix," he writes. "But then again, no one expected my state of North Carolina to be a toss-up a few days before the election, either."

He says that he supports Obama because he will fight corporate lobbyists, help small business owners and protect Second Amendment rights.

"I've been in a lot of races in my life," he writes. "But I do believe this may be the most important one yet. Because if we put the pedal to the mettle for this final turn, when that checkered flag waves on November 4th we'll win something far greater than any trophy — we'll win the change our beloved country needs, and the future all of our children deserve."

NASCAR driver Richard Petty has endorsed John McCain.

Harrison robocalls for McCrory

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:16:52 -0400

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison is robocalling for Pat McCrory.

The Republican sheriff is calling voters in the Raleigh area urging them to attend a rally for the Republican gubernatorial candidate at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol.

In the recording, he notes that the N&O has recently endorsed McCrory.

Disappointment at Floyd's Barber Shop

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:22:15 -0400

Some folks in Mayberry are unhappy with Sheriff Taylor.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that some residents of Mount Airy, the hometown of actor Andy Griffith and inspiration for the fictional town of his T.V. show, did not cotton to a recent video showing him and Ron Howard endorsing Barack Obama.

Some folks, though, don't like to see the actors from their old favorite show taking sides in real-life politics.
"A lot of people are surprised at him, and disappointed, too," Russell Hiatt, who runs Floyd's City Barber Shop on Main Street, said about Griffith.
"Everybody's high on Andy."
But he said he wasn't shocked by Howard doing the skit.
"I'm not surprised with Opie at all," Hiatt said. "He hasn't ever even come here to Mount Airy."

Anothr Mayberry — er, Mount Airy — resident tells the newspaper that she understands why the two would endorse in character.

"Everyone relates to Andy and Opie," she says.

McCrory's 'They All Agree' ad

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:42:26 -0400

A new ad from Republican gubernatorial candidate n Pat McCrory touts his endorsements from some of the state's largest newspapers.

Newspaper endorsements: U.S. Senate

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:36:31 -0400

Editorial boards of the state's major newspapers are making their endorsements in the Senate race.

Here are links to the major unsigned editorials written so far about Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Kay Hagan.

Raleigh News & Observer: Hagan. "She is well-informed, not just well-meaning. She is astute. Her record in Raleigh indicates she knows how to make a legislative system work. It forecasts a promising career in the U.S. Senate."

Charlotte Observer: Hagan. "We believe she offers citizens the better hope of having an effective and independent voice in the Senate. She also offers them a voice that is more closely attuned to everyday life in North Carolina."

Asheville Citizen-Times: Hagan. "North Carolina needs and deserves a senator who stays in touch with her constituents and the changing dynamics of a fast-growing state. And it deserves a knowledgeable, collaborative, but forceful voice in the U.S. Senate."

Greensboro News-Record: Hagan. "She's responsive to constituents, communicates well, works hard, comprehends complex issues, makes good decisions and is not content to be average. She can become an outstanding U.S. senator."

Winston-Salem Journal: Hagan. "Hagan, 55, is a bundle of brains and energy. A lawyer and former banker, she has been a leader in the state Senate almost since the day she entered 10 years ago."

Wilmington Star-News: Hagan. "Washington is a lot different from Raleigh, but a knowledgeable, energetic and assertive politician such as Hagan can provide strong representation."

Durham Herald-Sun: Hagan. "Her record after 10 years in the General Assembly is pro-business and pro-education, with a deep streak of practicality."

Greenville Daily Reflector: Hagan. "She brings experience to this race that lacks a national profile, but aptly demonstrates her comfort with the legislative process and the capable leadership she brings to it."

High Point Enterprise: Hagan. "Over the span of Hagan's legislative career, we've seen a state senator committed to and capable of getting things done for the people she represents — and even once represented."

Wilson Times: Hagan. "What sets Hagan above Dole is the fact that she has spent most of her life living and working in North Carolina. She has served her constituents in Greensboro well and has assembled a team that will work to represent the interests of all North Carolinians."

Claims Dept: Hagan's 'Endorse' ad

bniolet — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:21:14 -0400

Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan is running a television ad touting her endorsments and credentials in her campaign for U.S. Senate against Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

What the ad says: Announcer: "Major newspapers across the state are endorsing Kay Hagan for U.S. Senate. Calling Hagan a bundle of brains and energy. A businesswoman, mother of three, Kay's ranked one of North Carolina's 10 most effective senators with a moderate and business-friendly record.

"Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, investing in education, health care reform and new energy development.

"Kay Hagan. Exactly the change our economy needs."

Hagan: "I'm Kay Hagan and I approve this message."

The ad features shots of Hagan engaged in various conversations and activities and includes text showing the sources for the ads' claims.

The background: The ad quotes heavily from unsigned newspaper editorials endorsing Hagan. The Winston-Salem Journal called her a "bundle of brains and energy."

After law school, Hagan went to work for Nations Bank where she was a vice president. In 1988, after 10 years, she left the company and was elected to the state senate.

Hagan has three adult children.

The N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, ranked Hagan as the seventh most effective state senator in 2007. She has ranked in the top 10 since 2003.

Hagan lives in Greensboro. An unsigned editorial in the Greensboro News & Record said "Hagan's record has been moderate and business-friendly." The editorial went on to say that her priorities are "fiscal responsibility, investing in effective education policies, health care reform, new energy development and what she calls a 'whole list of pocketbook issues.'"

Is it accurate? Mostly. Hagan has been endorsed by at least 10 newspapers in North Carolina. The last corporate experience she had was 20 years ago, so it's a stretch to call her a businesswoman.

Update: Post has been updated to add more endorsements.

Hagan's 'Endorse' ad

bniolet — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:36:33 -0400