Etheridge close to decision on Senate bid

So sorry to tell you Gigglebox, but Bush is no longer president so there is no Bush agenda. There is an Obama agenda. If your complaint is that Burr votes for the Bush agenda because both are Republicans, then you should also be concerned that Hagen votes only for the Obama agenda.

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.

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.

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? :)

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

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

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.

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.

Yes Tomarken, but what do you really think?

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.)

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