Really?

So, how reliable are those Sources? Would be nice to get more Information out.

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by: Democrat for Obama @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 15:25:43 PM UTC

Hotline

Hotline also has the story.

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by: TXObserver @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:10:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

this is very insensitive

to let this leak the day of her husband's funeral.  It makes me not want to vote for him even if he is the nominee (thats a hollow threat, I know).  

The arrogance of the DSCC in my state has become quite frustrating. If they actually got behind her they could raise what they needed to raise and they know it.  I don't really have the money right now but I'm giving what I can to Elaine today.

28, male, NC-13 formerly NC-01, 04, 05, 07, 11

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by: app state @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:13:55 PM UTC

Agree

Very poor. Don't see either winning. Particularly if that primary poll is anywhere near accurate.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:32:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Unfortunate coincidence...

...and nothing more. My sense is that the decision was taken over the weekend, and that we might have heard an announcement even this week - and that the decision to delay the announcement was out of respect for Marshall.

Yet with the decision already having been made, and with some DSCC-types "in-the-know," the news was going to get out one way or another.

It's unfortunate, but it's simply an unfortunate coincidence of timing and certainly with no malice intended.

We can either dwell on this, or we can celebrate the fact that we suddenly have a very compelling, very progressive candidate to run against Burr.

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by: betterdonkeys @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:39:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who trails 40-5 in the primary?

Another screw-up like Ohio.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:43:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And PA

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:44:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And KY

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:44:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, we understand.

Primaries are bad for the Democratic Party. Wouldn't want to let voters actually have a choice between candidates.

We get it.

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by: betterdonkeys @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:49:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Name me one that helped?

Maybe the presidential race but that is a completely different kettle of fish. They are certainly hurting this cycle.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:51:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think Webb's '06 primary v. Miller helped him

Kept their names in the news.

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by: tietack @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:56:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe

These are looking more Angelides/Westly IMO. The final result anyway.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:05:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tester vs. that DLC clown in MT-Sen

Tester taking out Schumer's preferred candidate helped get him into fighting shape to take out Conrad in the general.

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by: Ajax the Greater @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 18:17:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're right.

Elaine's very compelling and way "progressive"... probably a little too liberal on some things for my taste, but what the heck, I like her.  She has a great track record in the state, both professionally and electorally.  She's well-liked by the party faithful.  I look forward to the DSCC and blogosphere following the lead of North Carolina Democrats and supporting Elaine.

Yeah, that was snarky but true.

There's no reason whatsoever to back this guy over her.  There's no policy disagreements between the two.  He has no great biographical story that is unmatched.  Nothing.  

And p.s. - it was in the news he died over the weekend.  So its been known for days.  There's never a coincidence when the DSCC is involved and its naive to think so.

28, male, NC-13 formerly NC-01, 04, 05, 07, 11

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by: app state @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:43:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Do you genuinely believe that there was malicious intent...

...in the fact that this story has apparently leaked now?

I mean, do you honestly believe that anyone close to Team Cunningham sat around the kitchen table yesterday and said, "Oooo, let's leak the story tomorrow, on the day of the funeral. That will really show her!"

Do you honestly reject the idea that some DSCC staffer probably got wind of the story, and decided that they would be the Big Shot and leak it to Hotline?

I mean, come on. I understand that you're trying to support your candidate, and I respect that, but get a grip.

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by: betterdonkeys @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:59:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not intentional

But poor timing.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:03:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There are reasons

but I won't get into that again.

At the end of the day this is a great primary for the Democrats.  I don't see either of them going negative a la Westly/Angelides.  If that happens, I will support the opposite of whoever goes negative first.  This is good for the Democrats because Elaine is a solid candidate, but people might be surprised to know how weak her name recognition actually is throughout the state.  She is a backbencher in the good sort of way, like Jim Jeffords used to be.  She does her job well and garners very little if any negative press.  At the end of the day, however, she is a member of the below mentioned NC establishment and he isn't.  This gives both of them the ability to fundraise and raise their name recognition.  He has the potential to reach populist voters who might be upset with Dems at this time and also to veterans and their families.  It's a win-win for Cunningham, at the very least his name will get floated for other future positions, like perhaps something statewide in 2012 or a Congressional seat after the lines are re-drawn.  I also expect his poll numbers to pick up.  Of course they would tank after he announces he isn't going to run, but if they aren't in the teens at least I would be shocked, plus the poll was an internal one done by Marshall.  

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by: TheGame08 @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 18:06:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

From the article, it appears that this is Marshall's second widowhood

I join in the condolences to Elaine. I am so so sorry for her loss.

As a widower, I understand a bit about the emotion. It is a difficult time for her. The leak would certainly add to the emotional difficulties.

Whatever the circumstances, I'm not sure Cunningham or the DCCC would want to be known as taking advantage of a widow. Perhaps that is not the intent, but it sure appears that way.

I'm also surprised that this is the first we've heard about William Holford (Marshall's husband)'s death. I don't see any news of it on NC Blue, and just shared the info on DK (where AFAIK, there is no previous diary/comment on the subject).

Through www.elainemarshall.com , one link to send her condolences is http://www.democratsenators.or... .  

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by: tietack @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:54:57 PM UTC

I Think Everyone Is Getting Ahead of Themselves

Anyone who seriously thinks that a candidate, if they decide to get into a race, is joyous about RUMORS of their entry coming out on a day like this is clearly outrageous.

IF Cunningham is IN, then this decision was presumably made 7, 10, 12 days ago - long before Elaine Marshall's (our prayers are with her) husband passed away. If you truly think someone vying for the hearts and minds of North Carolinians would be so Rove-esque, then you would be sorely mistaken.

IF this is actually happening, Cunningham must have a valid reason for doing so. And, while word getting out before he makes a clear, concise statement on his reasons for entering the race - it is not unexpected. In today's media frenzy, it's bound to happen.

Now, my suggestion is to take some time, learn more about Cal (you know, if this actually comes to fruition) and see where you stand with his positions and abilities. Personally, I think it's pretty sour for Swing State to be the first to print these "unnamed sources'" rumors. When a significant, potential change in a major U.S. Senate race like this happens - those desperate to break news should actually validate their sources and check with the candidate personall to verify.

Otherwise, you get horrendous mis-information like this and rumors about Cunningham having poor taste to "do" this during the wake for Elaine's husband.

When it's official, then let's discuss.

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by: Tomarken @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 16:56:49 PM UTC

Elaine Marshall

Why does the DSCC keep acting like she isn't a serious candidate? Yes, her fundraising thus far sucks and the NC DNC establishment is pretty unpopular, but at least she's a statewide official. Surely she is better than some of the people that the DSCC is trying to entice into the race, like Cunningham here.

Also, it's pretty awful to suggest that this was deliberately leaked on the day of her husband's funeral. What kind of person would do something like that?

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by: InRepublican @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:16:42 PM UTC

Thanks InRepublican and betterdonkeys

You are both correct about the timing. There is no reason to think this was in any way intentional.

However, I do think Cunningham would be a strong, intriguing candidate. He is far outside the DC/Raleigh establishment, he already has massive grassroots appeal (with the people who will be knocking on doors, phone banking and really pushing for every last breath to get voters to the polls) and, if his message is smart/positive enough, he will win over the demographics he needs to secure (i.e. older voters - who make up a larger % of the off-year electorate).

Voters don't vote on identity alone, they vote for folks with good ideas, a positive message and someone who represents a change from the status quo. If he does run, Cunningham can be that candidate. And, if his fundraising prowess can sustain a good message - he could certainly give the establishment, obstructionist, idea-less (not idealist) Burr a run for his money*.

*Yes, that last line was a reference to his ATM fiasco.
http://www.swingstateproject.c...

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by: Tomarken @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:24:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Update

Good for him. As I said above more unfortunate than anything else.

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:29:06 PM UTC

I definitely misspoke earlier

out of frustration.  If you're in, Cal, then get in.  Don't say you're out then say you're in a few weeks later.  We defended those actions in 2008 but it will be hard to do again.

Elaine does have good name recognition and strong support statewide.  It's rare for a Democrat to win both early voting and on Election Day - but she did (albeit by a small amount).  Folks might not get crazy excited about her, but they like her and respect her.

I hope Emily's List gets involved on her behalf.  The money can be there if these groups want it to be there.  Kay Hagan didn't start with any sort of whopping figures.  To say Elaine is not viable due to fundraising isn't fair.

28, male, NC-13 formerly NC-01, 04, 05, 07, 11

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by: app state @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 19:16:16 PM UTC

Sherrod Brown

Was out, then in, in 2006, and got pounded mercilessly for it. Part of it was Kos's man-crush on Paul Hackett, but honestly, in these kinds of early situations, I think you need to allow people some leeway.

That said, I think Marshall has some legitimate complaints given the DSCC's clear sense that she's a second-tier candidate, but if she's a markedly better candidate than Cunningham, she'll demonstrate it the way Webb beat Miller or (assisted by scandal) Tester beat whatshisname.

(Whatever happened to RI's Matt Brown?)

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by: boojumsnark @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 22:14:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tom Udall

Last cycle too. Didn't Matt Brown get convicted for fraud or something?

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by: conspiracy @ Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 22:21:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Looked it up

It was a particularly egregious campaign financing violation (he basically was accused of laundering money by making a donation to the state party in Hawaii that was matched by a donation from the HDP to him). Despite GOP noise, I didn't see anything about criminal charges being filed. Brown didn't stand for reelection and is now the director of City Year in RI.

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by: boojumsnark @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 00:42:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I am so tired of this guy

And all the apparent indecisiveness.

Three candidates I would have prefered past on taking on Burr, but Marshall jumped in there and has not wavered.  

Whether true or not, to an outside this guy looks like he has a spine of jello.

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by: tommypaine @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 00:42:29 AM UTC

Huh ?? WTF?

He declined to run once, and apparently has changed his mind. Just as Kay Hagan did. Just as many others have in other races.  

Running for a statewide office is not to be taken lightly and obviously he is getting some assistance from DSCC that was not there before. he may have PLANNED it this way all along to see if the DSCC would play a few more cards[I have no inside knowledge of this].

The fact that the Attorney General (can't remember his name at the moment), Bob Etheridge and Mike McIntyre also declined has NOTHING to do with Cunningham.  You can't pin that on him.

Hagan had a primary as well (her opponent had declared PRIOR to her doing so, albeit not a statewide elected official).  Hagan benefitted from that primary, and so will the eventual winner of this one, be it Marshall or Cunningham.

If Marshall is really so great, she should easily prevail over a one term state senator.  If she is a not first or second-tier, as DSCC obviously suspects, then she will lose.  I wish we had this two candidate 'problem' in Florida.  

Cunningham's resume is promising, and he packs a good speech.  Let's see what he can do.        

       

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by: vicupstate @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 01:22:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

He can run if he wants

And I love primaries (that aren't pure mud fights).

But his name has surfaced and diappeared here for months.  Decisive he is not, at least when it comes to running for this office.  

A former one-termer (what resume?) with no backing in the polls is free to run for anything he wants, but indecisiveness is not an appealing quality.

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by: tommypaine @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 03:04:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

He has been rumored

to run for many other offices since he left the state senate, also.  

PS - I've always liked the guy, and I'm serious about that.  I just don't like the way Elaine has been disrespected in this whole thing.

28, male, NC-13 formerly NC-01, 04, 05, 07, 11

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by: app state @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 03:16:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Her camp is already going negative.

"It's pretty tasteless to leak or announce you're running on the day that Secretary Marshall's dealing with her husband's funeral. But if he is running, this is all about D.C. money. He's waited until he got the approval of D.C. power brokers - that's not a very good indication of the type of Senator he would make."

The above comment was made by her campaign manager Thomas Mills.  

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by: TheGame08 @ Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 20:33:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]