For the best

One less open House seat in the South to worry about.

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by: JFM110 @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 14:40:11 PM CST

Yeah, everyone knows a House seat is more important than a Senate seat

Even if this seat went D, it would revert back to it's historical preference (D), in a cycle or two.  

Hopefully Cunningham reconsiders and he is the 'right stuff', otherwise this is a damn big opportunity that only Marshall can reel in, and I have my doubts about her.

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by: vicupstate @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 14:47:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Team Blue has a deep bench in NC

Even if Elaine Marshall isn't a perfect candidate, there's still time to find someone else well suited to take on Burr - and preferably not a sitting congressman whose seat would be prime for the picking in a negative cycle.

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by: JFM110 @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 15:04:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

NC-02 is 30% black

It's also 8% hispanic, and NC whites don't vote like Alabama whites. Add in the proximity to the Research Triangle and the potential of an Obama visit to energise black turnout, and I'd say it's a seat that ought to be winnable even in a bad year.

That said, I'd rather not have Etheridge as the Senate candidate, but this isn't that bad a district.

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by: Englishlefty @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:42:20 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I dont have a horse in this race

and I kind of want to see a good healthy primary to build up name rec and such.

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by: Andrew @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 15:02:21 PM CST

I've had it with everyone undermining Elaine Marshall

She is an excellent candidate and has won 4 statewide elections by wide margins. She is the best candidate to take on Burr and she will unseat him next year.  

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by: jmartin4s @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 16:29:22 PM CST

I like Elaine Marshall

and I'll vote for Elaine Marshall, but I don't like her chances in this race, because I don't think she will bring the base out.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

She can't give a stump speech like this.  I love her to death.  I really do, but I want somebody that can drive up turnout at the top of the ticket.

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by: TheGame08 @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 17:05:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Dangs...

that guy is good.  Reminds me of a younger John Edwards.  Hopefully without the ensuing baggage.

I know it's way premature, but I'm watching that speech Cunningham's giving, and I'm thinking to myself, there's a future President.  Or at least something bigger than State Senator.

He so eloquently lays out the case against Richard Burr in just those few minutes.

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by: BruinKid @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 03:12:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hopefully he isn't the fraud that John Edwards is/was

This is an even better video, IMO.  This guy needs to change his mind and get in this race.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

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by: vicupstate @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 12:28:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm sure she is very nice and a good person and in some ways ..

.. a good candidate.  But obviously if she was a great catch, the DSCC would not be be search for other candidates.

Down ballot State race generally is not a stepping stone to U.S. Senate.  Such races tend to be determined by name recognition only. I'm guessing she hasn't faced a tough opponent/race.

Everyone knew Richard Petty was running simply as a stepping stone to GOv.  He had no political experience and NASCAR was still considered 'redneck' back then (to some degree, it still is).

In SC, a GOP SOS ran for Governor after two big wins as SOS and he did poorly, he came in third or fourth. That office just doesn't have a good track record for higher office.  

If you can show me anything that shows she is another Kay Hagan, I'd love to see/read it.

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by: vicupstate @ Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 19:38:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]