Marshall for Senate?

I am less concerned at this stage with specific bills or issues she put forward. If it's going to be a Year of the single men, it must be tempting to escape the restless world of the General Assembly. Maybe this will open the doors for the Libertarians.

Thanks for answering Marta!

As an administrator of the Secretary of State - she has implemented some excellent priorities in cleaning up the lobbyist system - yet it is very much still riddled with corruption.

Elaine is nothing short of a bureaucrat as you have so aptly proven. As a lobbyist I am sure incentives might come your way if Elaine made it to Washington DC.

You have also proven that you are part of the Democratic machine by your statements, which is my opinion and in light of everything surrounding the Easley family - I must laugh at your unbiased and unstacked portrayal of this integral part of the Basnight-Rand Democratic Party of North Carolina.

I have watched Elaine Marshall for many years. I have the utmost respect for her dedication to public service and her unquestionable ethics and knowledge. I can understand the suggestion that Dems should recruit from the younger crowd, but Marshall's age should not automatically rule her out. Ever hear of age discrimination?

Is there a young person with the same abilities and experience available? I don't know anyone, myself.

As Marshall says in the interview, she not only has legislative experience, but more public administration experience than anyone else around NC. And as Jesse Helms' career in the Senate proved, constituency service is a big part of service and of getting re-elected.

Marta Brock, Cary, NC and Elaine admirer

I have two ways of responding: first, to disclose that I am a former registered lobbyist, and I was regulated by the Office Sec. Marshall heads. Members of the public are unlikely to note the many improvements she has made to that office, while serving as Sec. of State, but those who deal with her office do know about them.

Second, while I am less concerned at this stage with specific bills or issues she put forward, I know her to be a conscientious and informed person, who carried that to the legislature during her time there. I think she can speak for herself on her record, and she will, if she seeks the nomination. Elaine Marshall is open and direct in her communications.

Also, as I said before, she is know for her high ethical standards-- something hardly to sneeze at these days in Raleigh.

MBrock - please tell us two things that Elaine Marshall has accomplished while ALL of her time in public office that has helped the average citizen in North Carolina...

Don't worry I will wait...

Cool it, PercyKution. If I delete your post and you repost it again, that's not a good thing. I can freeze your account, you know.

— RTB

He raised no money and Moses couldn't win a 21st century election without greenbacks.* Durham Fred

Sure Moses could win in the 21 st century without a problem. He still has God as his campaign manager and God has the gold to rule, considering paper currency won't be worth the paper it is printed on in the next year......Go Moses, A tribe in every pocket against the Heathen!

It's tough to get someone with good ideas, passion for the political arena and youth all in the same package. Who has that kind of money?

I think I am going to throw up.

Uh.....Jim Neal-- remember him?

State Board of Elections says he pulled 140,000 more votes in the '08 Dem senate primary than did Marshal in her '02 run and 55,000 more than Blue in same '02 race. Also more than McIntyre and Shuler in their '08 general races.

Dem. Big Wigs scorned Neal from the outset; he was the only Dem in NC who thought Dole was vulnerable and stepped to the plate in '07(including N&O puppets.) He raised no money and Moses couldn't win a 21st century election without greenbacks. Welcome to dollar democracy (Perdue's had, what, three or more fundraisers just since she took office only 5 months ago.)

Shuler and McIntyre are Blue Dog Republicans-- and not as saavy as Burr (Shuler can't count & McIntyre's a rube.) Only candidates who give Burr a race are Moore (he's rich, would raise Dem. Party $ and he ran in a brutal statewide race v. Perdue) and Neal (inspiring, smart, underdog and best campaigner of 2008....but he's non-factor with no money). Dalton and Marshall are porcelain relics......

Lewis and Cunningham....yet to see? All about money.

Stupid Republicans???

We don't have lying upright terd piles like the clinton's.
We don't have any "love childs" around
we don't go jail for bribes.
We don't go to jail for tax evasion
We don't go to jail for the likes of the socialist's like Dan Bluegum.

Raise taxes to feed stray dogs, please, you'll have to do better than that.

Just what we need. A 65 year old freshman senator were she to win.

How about getting some people born in the 2nd half of the 20th century to run.

Let the Dems raise taxes in NC in the current state we're in...you'll see them drop like flies in the elections...and then the stupid Republicans will come back in, talk a good game, and foul it up as usual. Maybe this will open the doors for the Libertarians, but alas, not enough free thinking, self-managing, responsible adults in NC for that to happen.

The Democrats call Richard Burr very vulnerable, yet no one will run against him...

Lottery Pick:
Roy Cooper

2nd Round Pick:
Health Shuler

Both are out!

Considering the draft but did not hire an agent:
Elaine Marshall
Mike McIntyre

But only this time the candidate is guaranteed at least $15 million dollars from outside liberal groups, unions and National Democrats...

It's going to take a lot of Mandy Grunwald wood putty and high-tone production value (and some admitted perennial weakness in both the state and national GOP) for Madam Secretary to defeat Burr in 2010.

It could happen, of course, as it did with the originally reluctant Senator Hagan, last year, but over-confidence among some Democrats shouldn't translate over to the professional side.

TIf it's going to be a Year of the Women, it must be tempting to escape the restless world of the General Assembly. Nevertheless, the Secretary might be counted on in a pinch, to run. It would require quite a transformation in perceptions.

A lot will happen before filing, now just ~8 months away.