Discussion for article #222459
Ah. This is the guy that wants poor people to fight over the last stale piece of bread.
How nice.
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“Imperiled”? Exaggerate much? The polls I’ve seen show Hagan doing fairly well, and exhibiting smarts and spine on the campaign trail. Plus Tillis seems to bring a lot of baggage to the race.
A tough race – quite probably. But can we save the drama for something real with some basis in fact rather than a narrative you’d like to push?
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Well said
Actually, “imperiled” is very precisely the situation Kay Hagan is in. She stands a very real and significant chance of losing her Senate seat.
Doing “fairly well” is no endorsement of not being imperiled. It means this is going to be an ugly and probably quite close race all the way down to the wire. Every single Democratic vote is going to be needed for her to remain in the Senate, and off-year turnout by Democrats in North Carolina has, historically, been very problematic.
I agree that she shows smarts and a spine … which are exactly the sort of attributes that make her a turn-off to a large segment of the North Carolina electorate. They are certainly positive attributes as viewed by Democrats and progressives in general, but they are considered to be “less than tasteful” when exhibited by a woman in the larger North Carolina population. She stands to attract an (even) larger turnout among the right wing precisely because of those attributes.
The so-called “baggage” that Tillis “seems” to have is exactly the sort of “attributes” that will attract conservative, right wingers to turn out.
Living in the Research Triangle, a bastion of progressives and liberals by North Carolina standards, I have run into numerous professionals in corporations and in the universities that have expressed great displeasure with Hagan. I can’t get most pf them to be more specific than “Hagan has been bad for North Carolina, we need a change,” which I generally read to be “she’s an Obama Democrat and brought socialized medicine and t3h Geh Agenda to our pure, Christian world.”
This is in the region of a little over 1 million people (in a state of 9 million) where some of the most liberal and progressive values are concentrated. 15 miles outside the city limits of Raleigh and it’s very easy to find yourself in Deliverance-level ignorance and TeaBaggery. Hagan might poll at ~60-65% in RTP plus Charlotte, but that’s only about 3 million, MAXIMUM, of the North Carolina population. The remaining 6 million plus are more like Fayetteville (“Fayette-Nam,” to locals who pay attention), where I’d be surprised if she is polling at 50%. I would expect more like 40% at best, with large regions under 40%.
Hopefully Tillis will really fuck up huge with a Todd Akin-level moment. But, if he doesn’t, this is going to be Civil War level conflict among the North Carolina electorate for this race. I think this race is going to be more like how Rand Paul took a Kentucky Senate seat. Some really filthy and corrupt campaigning wher a large right wing turnout is going to vote for the white guy rather than the woman who should be tending to her kitchen.
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Last month, Hagen was leading by 2 points in polls by the NYT and PPP(D). Last month PPP(D) put her approval rating at 41%, disapproval at 48%. But, she’s a smart politician, she ditched being seen with Obama in January.
Clay Aiken WON in the Dem Primary for NC’s 2nd!! Now, on to defeat Renne “I need my paycheck” Ellmers in the fall! Go Clay!
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Cue the Teahadist talking head saying, “If you put together all the votes for OUR two candidates, WE WON…” in 3… 2…
Thom “These people” Tillis will amp up his racist dog whistle to ear-shattering levels!
Notice how “paying for” something is only important when the GOP isn’t in total control, such as the years 2003-2006. We went off the books for W’s disastrous wars of choice and tax cuts for the already-fortunate, driving the deficit to the disastrous levels GOPers are so concerned about.
So, the chief North Carolina architect for voter suppression won
his primary and the media is excited…
What’s wrong with this picture?
The last poll showed Hagan leading Tillis while trailing Brannon. Tillis brings with him the unpopularity of the state legislature, and will also fail to generate enthusiasm among the Tea Partiers the way Brannon could have. This really is the best outcome for Democrats.
as a native of western nc i felt a need to send Kay another donation.
made it monthly
already over $8,000,000,00 spent in attack ads against her
tillis is truly scary he IS the definition of “Big Money”
“The so-called “baggage” that Tillis “seems” to have is exactly the sort of “attributes” that will attract conservative, right wingers to turn out.”
well stated and 100% accurate
tillis the guy that pushed the 6 week unemployment benefits for nc at the cost of millions in federal monies
tillis brings to the table a long list of legislation that harms the common people at the benefit of the wealthy and corps
all i can do is work toward his defeat and support Kay