The woman who chaired Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell's two congressional campaigns has turned against him.
Dannie Montgomery, a teacher from Anson County who served as first vice chair of the N.C. Democratic Party, said in a news release that Kissell "has turned his back on the grassroots supporters who propelled him to office," Jim Morrill of The Charlotte Observer reports.
She said Kissell has alienated some African American leaders in the 8th District, which could dampen black turnout. She said she has encouraged Charlotte lawyer Chris Kouri to challenge Kissell. Kouri ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2002 against Republican Robin Hayes.
Montgomery's defection is the latest sign of liberal disaffection with Kissell. His vote against a Democratic health care bill last fall angered many on the left. But how much harm it caused him is questionable.
A poll last month by Raleigh's Public Policy Polling found that just 29 percent of his constituents knew how he voted on health care.
"That finding is a good reminder that the average voter does not follow politics very closely," poll director Tom Jensen said at the time. "Kissell ... may find himself in better shape once more voters in his district become aware of how he voted on health care. His approval with those who know he voted against it is 52 percent compared to 44 percent with those who think he supported the bill. In a district where a majority are opposed to the Democratic health care plan he cast the right vote for his political future."
Meanwhile a Democrat from Fayetteville plans to challenge Kissell. Writer Nancy Shakir said she's disappointed in his votes.
Through a spokeswoman, Kissell declined comment.
Comments
So Wrong
February 8, 2010 - 2:10pm — riverrdHey fish-face, how did you become so wrong? You listen to faux-nonews and hate radio wayyy too much. David, Bob, Brad and Larry all will win re-election this year! Count on it! The hate and fear you and your kind support only goes so far. The mindless rabble like yourself and the tea-baggers will not be able to FIND the voting booth in November because they will be too busy picking their nose and counting their toes on their bare feet!
Re: What is wrong with the 8th district?
February 7, 2010 - 2:55pm — JocularityNothing. Seen the polls?
Seems they're being represented just fine in spite of what one lady or the entire NRCC says.
Independence feels good don't it?
Both parties are obsolete
February 6, 2010 - 12:51am — redriverAs we enter into the new election cycle, it must be understood that both parties a quickly becoming irrelevant in practice. A few years from now, the independants registered will be much greater than either party and at that time, both will be obsolete. They can bark and scream and steal and lie all they want but they know their time is limited. They are both fighting now for the independant vote. They have both shamed the voters and deserve what they get. Yes, we are witnessing the last breath of a dying breed, the true partyline leader. I can not wait. Anyone who would vote for any of the incumbants now has to be sick or truly living under a rock, regardless of the party. Both parties have done nothing for the voters but have done much for themselves. They have ruined a great system that may never recover.
What is wrong with the 8th district?
February 5, 2010 - 2:43pm — RonBSince when is voting *for* a hate crimes bill political suicide??? Only through miseducation can the people in the 8th district belive the GOP is acting on their behalf.
Would someone running on a pro-lynching platform win in a landslide?
Was that Robin "lysol is birth control" Hayes's secret to success? How someone in the Canon Mills family can willingly send countless textile jobs elsewhere *and* claim to serve the people of NC is irresponsible at best.
Republicans rammed the economy-killing CAFTA legislation down our throats even though they did not have a fillabuster-proof majority in the senate. It only passed the House with Hayes's vote.
The GOP continues to tell us we should accept yearly double digit cost increases, decreased service, pre-existing conditions, droppedd coverage, and other horrible practices from the health care industry. Lobbyists have Republican ears, while ordinary citizens' concerns continue to be ignored.
If the people of NC gave Burr $4.1 million (and counting) maybe he would listen to us. Unfortunately that money came from the health care industry, so he works on their behalf, not ours. He continues to tout the same legislation
Larry is a nice guy. He also
February 5, 2010 - 1:03pm — fishplateLarry is a nice guy.
He also understands that his backside is grass this coming fall. He voted for the Hate Crime bill and since then has been in full retreat on all the issues the party leadership wants him to favor. He knows black turnout will be small in the off year election and he knows the whites in the 8th district are steamed. He was elected in a conservative district, he holds fairly liberal views, and he ran against Mr Free Trade Robin Hayes so he knows it is only a matter of time before he gets the boot.
Bob Etheridge is doing the very same thing. After a few initial votes for dear glorious leader and the party line Etheridge is heading out for the tall grass. He knows that he will probably get knocked out this fall as well so he is doing what he can to mend fences. I'm not sure Bob is qualified to do anything these days since he has been in DC for way too long.
Now Brad Miller is still firing live rounds. All three will probably be picked off this fall but Brad Miller continues to vote party line without fear.
In sum: if Larry doesn't get the white vote he is toast. He'll vote in that accordance and there is nothing wrong with that.
Health Care
February 5, 2010 - 12:14pm — landsharkThat's just not true. Health Care can be good for the country. What we need is everyone pushing for change. It is shameful the number of HARD WORKING AMERICANS WHO CAN GET AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE. For people like yourself to stand on the side lines and lie about the Presidents attempts to help people is just not right! I don't understand how you live with yourself, knowing full well it not just minorities that need help, it's WHITE, BLUE EYED AMERICANS, who's sons and daughters are fighting for your freedoms, and their parents and siblings can get health coverage. You and the rest of the parasites spreading lies and frighten people, need to shut up! The President has gone on national TV and called you out and you still continue with the same old lies! Lots of people in this country need health care reform, submit an idea or shut up!
Dannie Montgomery: Racist
February 5, 2010 - 12:08pm — MontcalmDannie Montgomery: Racist
Rep Kissell
February 5, 2010 - 11:35am — George49Rep Kissell did the right thing. I see that Richard Burr has voted against the healthcare bill, which is just bad legislation, and against the so called stimulus bill that stimulated nothing. As one would expect Kay Hagan is apparently bought and paid for because even though she knows better she has voted for bills that are going to drive the country into default. Shame on her, she knows better. Rep Price is not any better, he has this sense of entitlement and votes the way he sees fit without regard for the voters. He has avoided any town hall meetings because he knows he would be taken to task for his votes. Shame on him, he knows better. I guess the problem is it is time to clean house in Washington to remind our elected officials who they represent, and by that I do not mean the lobbyists.
More and more people
February 5, 2010 - 11:07am — meltedMore and more people nationwide are looking at the performance of those they put into office and more and more people are holding their feet to the fire. This is as it should be. They are supposed to represent those who put them in office. All too often they only care about what they can get out of it. It is only when election time approaches that they become concerned about how they look in the eyes of those who elected them. I hope many people in NC will look at the true performance of Virginia Fox, Richard Burr and Kay Hagan and ask themselves if they really think any of these people deserve to go back to Washington. And on the state level, NC citizens need to ask themselves if their current representatives are representing us or lining their pockets at our expense. We also need to ask ourselves that question for the governor's race in 2012. Lots of people think making changes either in Washington or on the state level will not help. And it may not - but the possibility exists that it could and we will never know if we don't vote others in. We, the people, have the power to make changes. But we have to make the effort to go to the polls and vote.