A North Carolina Blog Party

Now this is pretty cool.

State Democratic Chairman Jerry Meek has turned to the Web to get names of someone who can beat Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008. The plea is part gesture to the power of political blogs and part acknowledgment that he has no strong candidate in sight.

"Who Should I Recruit to Defeat Dole?" Meek asked in a Saturday posting, which in three days has drawn almost 100 replies in a lively conversation with suggestions ranging from Gov. Mike Easley to former UNC-Chapel Hill basketball coach Dean Smith to Elizabeth Edwards.

Meek writes that Dole may not seek re-election because she is battered by her unsuccessful effort to keep the U.S. Senate in Republican hands.

"But even if she does run, we can beat her," Meek writes. "So, who should I recruit to take her on? Don't limit yourself to politicians. Are there good business people or community leaders out there who share our vision and can win?"

The thread is on BlueNC here. Brad Miller's name pops up once or twice.

Tags: Blogosphere, jerry meek, netroots, North Carolina (all tags)

Comments

47 Comments

Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Go BlueNC!

My choice would be Jim Hunt, four time Governor.

by stormbear 2006-11-16 04:59AM | 0 recs
Of course we're partying

North Carolina will now have more Dems in our congressional contingent, our state legislature turned a deeper shade of blue, we have a kick-ass awesome chair of our state party in Jerry Meek, we have a chair of the national party who hasn't given up on the south and we have big plans to organize our county parties from the grassroots up.  

by The Southern Dem 2006-11-16 05:05AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

If Democrats nationwide want to see NC turn the Senate and President Blue - they need to pray for Jim Hunt to come out of retirement and take Liddy Dole OUT.

by Robert P 2006-11-16 05:11AM | 0 recs
I hope St. Chuck is taking notes. n/t

by Pachacutec 2006-11-16 05:13AM | 0 recs
St. Chuck

Pach....for a minute there I thought you were talking about our newly dethroned Chuck (Charles Taylor).....

St. Chuck doesn't know the south exists.  We'll be sure to remind him.  I'm fully prepared to have our races completely ignored again in '08 by everyone but the Netroots, Blue America and countless other small web-based fundraising groups.  The financial support of internet activists combined with a stellar candidate in Larry Kissell motivated the local grassroots like we've never been motivated before.  I'd much rather have that than St. Chuck.

by The Southern Dem 2006-11-16 05:29AM | 0 recs
Re: St. Chuck

I'll take Chuck's Bucks in the 2008 race.  Just so long as they don't try to "pick" the candidate.

by Robert P 2006-11-16 05:51AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Jim Hunt, Bev Perdue, Elizabeth Edwards (dark horse)

by tfitznc 2006-11-16 05:31AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Bev Purdue is running for Governor, Zero percent chance to get her out of that race, she is the favorite to win it.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 05:48AM | 0 recs
Elizabeth Edwards would be great

I met her and Senator Edwards, helping out with their first podcast, and she impressed the hell out of me.  

Extremely nice and personable, extremely intelligent, and incredibly knowledgable re: all sorts of net related things.

Oh, and all that in spite of the fact that she had just come from cancer treatment.

She's more than a potential first lady, she's an intellectual powerhouse in her own right, and I'd love to see her drafted for this race.   Of course, if John Edwards is running in '08, I suppose she'd almost certainly want to focus on that, but... there's my two cents at least.  

by jhlinko 2006-11-16 08:45AM | 0 recs
Now this is grassroots action!

Actually, I'd nominate John Edwards.  Not my fav. for prez, and I think he could do a lot more if he were back in the Senate.

I almost think it would be better for us if Liddy "incompetent" Dole doesn't retire.  NC isn't the easiest state to make a pickup.

by corph 2006-11-16 09:16AM | 0 recs
How about Michael Jordan?

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 05:39AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

Air Jordan's Federal Campoaign Contributions:

http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political _donations/Michael_Jordan.php

Barack Obama, Bill Bradley, and Harvey Gantt!

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 05:42AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

He does not live here anymore, he live in Chicago, and he has too many skeletons in the closet from what I am told, both from gambling associations and various affairs with the ladies.  That I doubt the idea would go anywhere, not to mention he has shown no interest in running.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 05:46AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

But in Jordan's case, those are well-known problems. They are not skeletons that would shock people, or anythiing.

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 05:49AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

Actually he has done a good job of keeping them underwraps he is a man who guards his privacy.  After what Haroold Ford Jr went through just for attending a playboy party, Jordan would have his private life with the ladies all over the place which even if it did not harm it politicaly which I think it would it would embarrass him personlly and he is not one who like to see his public image harmed.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 05:58AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

No one would care.  Jordan would SO win this seat in a landslide.  He is Lynn Swann X 1,000,000 and that comes from a life-long Steeler's fan.

poor, local, boy done good.

by Robert P 2006-11-16 05:52AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

No he would not in a landslide and this race is not so winnable for him.  But that is not the point.  He would never run, and most everyone political in this state knows it also.  This is a race that I take very seriously and I would like to keep candidate discussions here on a serious level which Jordan as a candidate is not.  So please lets move on.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 06:30AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

I disagree with you that he would never run. I do agree that he wouldn't necessarily win in a Landlide. But he stands a pretty good chance of winning if he wants to run and puts together a seasoned campaign team.

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 06:35AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

The NC Democratic party looked at him running a long time ago.  His initial response could be described at best a luke warm.  And that was before they discussed vetting him, once that was mentioned he politley declined.  I doubt much has changed.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 06:50AM | 0 recs
Re: How about Michael Jordan?

Figures.   I didn't see him as one of those J.C. Watts types.  Not even a little bit.

by republicans are idiots 2006-11-16 09:06AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Were I governor Mike Easley, I'd be seriously thinking about a run for the White House.  Popular, two-term Democratic governor of a large southern state whose electoral trend favors Democrats and whose electoral votes, added to Kerry's total, would put me one state -- any state -- away from victory is a pretty damned good resumé for a presidential candidate.

by Alex 2006-11-16 05:44AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

He would be an excellant candidate but I do not think he will run.  Look for him to maybe run for US Senate in 2010.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 05:50AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Why? I;'d say Easley is the oidds on favorite to be the Democratic Challenger to Dole. I mean, she barely beat Erskoine Bowles!

And those were in good GOP years.

And isn't Easley ternm limited?

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 06:36AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

He swears he's going fishing.

by Robert P 2006-11-16 06:55AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Erskine won't run again - he's lost twice and he's got a great job at UNC now.

by bluenc 2006-11-16 07:23AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

I hear that Easley wants absolutely nothing to do with the legislature, on any level. He's never shown a real interest in national politics (he avoided Kerry/Edwards like the plague). Much as I'd like him to go for it, I don't think he will. Hell of a guy, though.

by bluenc 2006-11-16 07:22AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

If Michael Jordan were to run, he could win handily as long as he avoids the Lynn Swann pitfall. I.e.,
don't say anything about anything until you are fully briefed.

Given Jordan's competitive nature, I doubt he'd make that mistake. He would want to be Prepared, capital P.

I wonder if his home life could stand the strain of the campaign. That might be a showstopper.

by KB 2006-11-16 05:47AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

see my above comments on the subject.

by THE MODERATE 2006-11-16 05:48AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

For those who might not know this story was on the front page of the print edition of the Raleigh News & Observer yesterday.  Thanks for putting it on the front page of MyDD.  We are really trying to make a difference in North Carolina at BlueNC.com and it seems to be happening slowly but surely.

by gregflynn 2006-11-16 06:01AM | 0 recs
Has anyone considered Michael Jordan?

Seriously.

I think he would be a rtockstar candidate. And given his great businessman credentials, he'd be moire than just a famous athlete runnig for Office.

He gave money to Bill Bradley's Presidential campaign over Al Gore, so that might indicate where he is on the political spectrum.

And he might have a little hankering in his gut to follow in Bradley's footsteps.

by Hesiod Theogeny 2006-11-16 06:30AM | 0 recs
Re: Has anyone considered Michael Jordan?

But remember his response to the Nike boycott?

by js noble 2006-11-16 04:34PM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

What was so bad about Erskine Bowles?  I'm just throwing names out; I think we can all agree Jim Hunt is ideal if he were willing.

by snaktime 2006-11-16 06:09AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Besides the fact that he lost twice?  Nothing.

by Tom 2006-11-16 06:20AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

If...you know, you like losing.

: )

by Robert P 2006-11-16 06:29AM | 0 recs
That losing twice thing

sucks the oxygen out of the idea immediately.  I love Erskine.  He's a great guy and he will do great things for North Carolina....just not as its next senator.

by The Southern Dem 2006-11-16 06:28AM | 0 recs
Re: That losing twice thing

I get the impression he loves his job right now and feels like he's making a big difference. Great guy, but he lost to Richard effing Burr - who, by the way, should be near the top of our target list for 2010.

by bluenc 2006-11-16 07:20AM | 0 recs
Near the top?

Try at the top! :)

by The Southern Dem 2006-11-16 07:51AM | 0 recs
Re: Near the top?

It's possible he'll take two years off to earn a ton of money in a law firm, so that his family will be "better off".  Then, come out after Burr's seat.  

by Robert P 2006-11-16 08:21AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Elizabeth Edwards!!!

by Todd Beeton 2006-11-16 08:33AM | 0 recs
Rockstar Candidate

How about my partner Tom Maxwell, aka tommy yum, ex Squirrel Nut Zipper and writer of "Have You Had Enough" and angry progressive?  I'm telling you he'd be amazing, but his lack of experience would be impossible to overcome.  Where DO you start your political career?

OK, after he kills me for that, I love Jim Hunt. I love Larry Kissel.  I don't think Erskine has enough "rock n roll" to win.  Easley would be great but I believe he will wait. Will Meg Scott Phipps be out of jail by 2008?

by chathamdem 2006-11-16 08:38AM | 0 recs
Tommy Yum

Works for me!  

by The Southern Dem 2006-11-16 09:24AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

I think Hunt or E. Edwards.  Either should be able to beat Liddy.

by cando 2006-11-16 08:54AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

If John Edwards weren't rumored to be considering another Presidential run, I'd say he was a no-brainer.

by republicans are idiots 2006-11-16 09:07AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Any good centrist candidate could beat Dole if she runs.  If she doesn't run, watch for the replacement.  After watching Dole last week on Meet The press,  anyone can beat her.

 Terrible appearance, addled, overspeaks and annoyed everyone.  When she had a chance to speak, she ran on and on with White House tired "stay the course" at all costs tirades.  A VERY dated and out of touch "elderly southern ranter". Her poise is gone.

Anyone with really good cred and strong positions that relate to the State and the Nation can win.
Hopefully, she'll run again.

by morris1030 2006-11-16 11:21AM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

Stop all the Jim Hunt talk, he is done.  If he had any pull left in this state Erskine would have beaten Burr.  Hunt campaigned non stop afor a year for Erskine and he still lost to an empty suit.  The Hunt machine is dying out.  Gov. Easley, Mrs. Edwards, and Roy Cooper all make better candidates than Jim Hunt.

by ihatethegop 2006-11-16 12:33PM | 0 recs
Jim Hunt

Erskine lost because he was too wimpy to claim all he'd done for the budget surplus under Clinton. Afraid to bring up the c-word, his major accomplishments went unmentioned.

Nothing to do with Hunt. Just because you can win in a landslide doesn't mean the people you support will.

by Drama Queen 2006-11-16 01:40PM | 0 recs
Re: A North Carolina Blog Party

I say recruit Michael Jordan. Recruiting a home town hero athlete worked in NC 11 with Heath Shuler. NC loves MJ. I think if you could get Jordan to run he would win easily. Barring that Jim Hunt Harvey Gant or John Edwards.

by Happy Jack 2006-11-16 03:24PM | 0 recs

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