Who are you voting for? Why?

9/11/2008 2:48:07 PM

I don't want Dole in office anymore, she's little more than a neocon pawn on a national level and she does virtually nothing on a state level, and she seems completely out of touch with modern society and the development of NC.

On the other hand, I don't think Kay Hagan is the ideal solution...

I'd like to see a Libertarian, or even a semi-moderate Republican, be the one to oust Dole. Unfortunately that's not going to happen. I suppose the next best thing would be to put Hagan in office so we could get a new Republican into the cycle. So I guess I'll be voting Hagan on this one on the general principle that we need Dole out of office.

9/11/2008 2:55:19 PM

Dole: "High gas prices are primarily driven by a supply-demand imbalance in global energy markets. To bring prices down, we must increase supply and decrease demand. For instance, I support making better use of American energy resources in remote areas of Alaska, offshore on the Outer Continental Shelf and in the Gulf of Mexico and in oil shale in the Western United States.

But we should not explore for more petroleum at the expense of alternative energy sources. We must pursue all available resources, including innovative batteries, nuclear, fuel cells, clean coal, natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and biofuels."

sounds like a plan

Kay Hagan: "Gets Serious About Gas Prices And The Economy. America uses 20 million barrels of oil each day, of which approximately 60% comes from imports. We spent nearly $1 billion per day on oil imports in 2007, and it accounts for approximately 41% of our trade deficit. It is crucial for our economy to end our
dependence on foreign oil. [Providence Journal, 3/27/08; Democratic Policy Committee, 2/28/08]

Will Strengthen Our National Security. Energy security requires stemming the flow of money to oil rich regimes that are hostile to America and its allies. Americans want to be able to meet their energy needs without supporting despotic governments that aid the terrorists who target us. America’s future security also demands combating climate change by developing the next generation of clean energy sources. [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial, 3/17/08]

Helps America Reclaim Global Leadership In Environmental And Energy Technologies. America is failing to keep pace with the ever-greening global economy. We have the talent and the ingenuity; we just need to harness it. Our foreign competitors are racing ahead of us in key environmental and energy technologies, in large part because of concerted government efforts abroad."

if you really read that, it sounds like absolute horseshit.


winnar: Dole.

9/11/2008 3:01:24 PM

^^Hagan isn't my ideal solution either, but that's because she leans right of where I stand.

There were about 6 people running in the democratic primary, only 2 of which were serious contenders and of those 2 the more progressive candidate lost & the more moderate candidate won. I interned for over half a year with that more progressive candidate, Jim Neal.

I think a moderate democrat state senator from NC however does make for a reasonable replacement to someone like Dole.

[Edited on September 11, 2008 at 3:04 PM. Reason : .]

9/11/2008 3:04:32 PM

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's latest TV ad attacks Democratic rival Kay Hagan for her ownership of oil and gas wells and her stance on offshore drilling.

What it says: The ad shows images of Hagan, oil wells and gas pumps. Narrator: "Fibber Kay Hagan claims she's against Big Oil, but Kay Hagan is Big Oil. Each time you buy gas, her cash register goes 'ka-ching!' Kay and her husband own multiple oil and gas wells in Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio. But Kay is against offshore drilling. Must not own any of those." Dole: "I'm Elizabeth Dole and I approve this message."

The background: According to a U.S. Senate financial disclosure form, Hagan and her husband, Chip, have stakes in five companies: Ace Midwest Partners, Psigen Sullivan Partners, Jasmine Oil Wells, Chrisjo Energy Inc. and Ergon Oil Co.

The companies operate oil and gas wells in Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, West Virginia and Ohio.

Though the exact amount was not disclosed, each of the investments was listed as being worth between $15,000 and $50,000. That puts the couple's overall stake somewhere between $90,000 and $300,000.

"These are Chip's," said Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. "He has investments in domestic oil wells, which are local businesses contributing to the economy."

Both Dole and Hagan previously supported a federal moratorium on oil exploration off the North Carolina coast.

In June, Dole reversed herself, citing high gas prices. At the time, Hagan criticized her, saying the U.S. "cannot drill ourselves enough oil to solve this problem."


But a month later, Hagan also reversed herself, saying she supports a bipartisan proposal by a group of U.S. senators that would leave the decision on offshore drilling up to North Carolina and other states, promote alternative energy and encourage conservation.

Dole has said she would also support that proposal.


Is it accurate? No. Hagan's investments in oil and gas wells are substantial, but they hardly qualify her for membership in OPEC. Like Dole, she no longer supports a federal ban on offshore drilling in North Carolina and would leave the decision up to the state.

— Ryan Teague Beckwith


http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/claims_dept_dole_on_hagans_oil

9/11/2008 3:04:44 PM

I vote for someone who actually represents NC; and has not spent the last 40 years living somewhere else than randomly decide to run for US senate here when the incumbent decided to retire.

Damn Guess that rules Dole OUT

9/11/2008 4:39:48 PM

I just got my free bumper sticker from http://www.kayhagan.com (there's a place on the top right that you click to get one). Come along way from having a Neal bumper sticker.

9/12/2008 6:44:01 AM

The commercials with the old dudes rambling on about 93rd are pretty sweet. How is Dole going to fix the gas situation when she's ranked 93rd? ...since the other 92 senators that are ranked above her are able to do something with their vaulted senatorial rankings.

Lady should seriously come out with a better commercial/angle.

9/12/2008 7:18:19 AM

Dole siding with the Navy on the OLF was a deal killer for me. She's a pawn and should be removed from the game as such.

9/12/2008 7:29:11 AM

fuck dole, she's 93rd!!!!!

9/12/2008 8:09:56 AM

Just out of curiosity where I can see who is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, as well as 94th-100th?

9/12/2008 11:02:13 AM

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt

1. Sen. Reid (D-NV)
2. Sen. Kennedy (D-MA)
3. Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
4. Sen. Leahy (D-VT)
5. Sen. Schumer (D-NY)
6. Sen. Baucus (D-MT)
7. Sen. McConnell (R-KY)
8. Sen. Feinstein (D-CA)
9. Sen. Clinton (D-NY)
10. Sen. McCain (R-AZ)

Here's how they calculate the power rankings: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/backgrounder.tt


On another note, here's the Rocking Chair Ad:

9/12/2008 11:06:32 AM

Wow, those power rankings are kinda silly/bad. So, you get a higher power ranking for how much pork barrel spending you can get for your state, for being in the majority party, and for being in the Senate longer. And some of them are completely subjective, excellent.

9/12/2008 11:17:40 AM

^^ Thanks.

It looks like Dole used to be 56 and 46. How the hell do you jump back all the way to 93 when your were at 46.


Burr is ranked 69, btw. Which I think is pretty good.


[Edited on September 12, 2008 at 11:31 AM. Reason : arrows]

9/12/2008 11:31:27 AM

Quote :

"How the hell do you jump back all the way to 93 when your were at 46"

Changing in control in the Senate has a lot to do with it. She lost her higher ranking committee assignments, therefore less able to bring things back to NC.

9/12/2008 11:35:04 AM

^ah I see.

9/12/2008 11:43:57 AM

Breakdown of Dole's score. Lowest on earmarks. Which many would consider a positive...

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/power_card.tt?id=20005

Also from the site:

Quote :

"Limitations of Research It is very important for visitors to know the following: The Knowlegis Power Rankings project team acknowledges that Members of Congress sometimes exercise power in ways that cannot be seen or measured. For example, we did not measure some variables such as effectiveness in assisting constituents in the district and state, known as "casework." Nor did we measure legislators' visibility in the district and state, such as public appearances or communication with voters. Finally, legislators often play important roles as liaisons with federal agencies in matters where state or local governments have a vested interest in a special project (such as military base closures). These factors - while crucial to a member's re-election and extremely important to constituents - are hard to measure and rarely contribute to power in the House or Senate. Citizens using Knowlegis Power Rankings to assess the effectiveness of their Member of Congress should use this analysis as one of many tools to judge your legislator."

I'm not a huge fan of Dole myself - I would only be voting for her to hopefully prevent a 60 member majority. But I don't think it helps anyone to read a number like "93rd!" and not dig any deeper.

[Edited on September 12, 2008 at 2:30 PM. Reason : Added everything after link.]

9/12/2008 2:19:42 PM

I don't mind that she wasn't a Ted Stevens for NC. I do mind that she failed to stick up for this state in the Senate when it mattered.

9/12/2008 2:26:46 PM

"The commercials with the old dudes rambling on about 93rd are pretty sweet. "



Those anti-dole commercials all seem to end with "the democratic senatorial campaign committee" which means there is a chance Hagan can keep up with fundraising if she is able to focus her money on getting her message out. I just got an e-mail from that campaign saying "Last night we passed the million dollar mark raised online." But I still have to wonder if she has a chance against even such an entrenched incumbent?

9/12/2008 2:34:27 PM

So if your rank is based somewhat on seniority, wouldn't the new chick be ranked lower than 93rd once she got in.

Hard to change gas prices when you're ranked lower than 93rd.

9/12/2008 4:37:25 PM

Quote :

"She's a pawn and should be removed from the game as such."

9/13/2008 6:52:27 AM

Dole has been such a waste of time. I'm not a fan of Hagan but Dole just needs to go.

9/13/2008 8:23:33 AM

^ Dole has been useless carpetbagger. Hell, we should have just voted for Bob instead. Burr's been alright though.

9/13/2008 8:33:06 AM

Quote :

"Nor did we measure legislators' visibility in the district and state, such as public appearances or communication with voters."

Funny, I don't really think that anyone in NC can argue that Dole spends most of her time in NC

9/13/2008 10:41:46 AM

Elizabeth Dole, what a cunt

9/13/2008 1:14:53 PM

Yeah, she lost her committee assignments because she blew chunks at them.

Dole was head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 2006 election cycle. Her job was to get Republicans elected to the Senate.... swell fucking job she did.

9/13/2008 1:18:26 PM

Senator Elizabeth "The Do Nothing For NC" Dole needs to thank Sarah for her soon to be reelection...hopefully she doesnt run again....she has a 40 year old face but a 100 year old body by then....she seems to have difficulty walking now...

9/13/2008 1:37:59 PM

Quote :

""How the hell do you jump back all the way to 93 when your were at 46""

By changing the criteria.

Quote :

"4) Earmarks: This is a new criteria added to the 2008 Power Rankings as a result of Congress' decision in 2007 to make the earmarking process more transparent. How successful was the legislator at securing funds for local projects in his or her district or state?"

9/13/2008 4:05:07 PM

Dole is a lazy, incompetent waste of skin

9/13/2008 5:11:44 PM

Send Doleothy back to Kansas...

and her little dog too

9/14/2008 6:57:51 PM

She had to be shamed into opposing the OLF in Washington County, she cares more about national politics than her constituents. At least Burr has been somewhat responsive.

9/14/2008 7:43:39 PM

That's not change, that's more of the same.

9/14/2008 8:39:06 PM

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/16/ap5431910.html

Quote :

" Hagan said Dole and Republicans should have provided more oversight and accountability, and provide the resources to regulators - such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission - who sheriff Wall Street"

Quote :

"Dole campaign spokesman Dan McLagan expressed frustration that Hagan would simply attack her rival without disclosing concrete a plan for a solution. "Hagan would poke a puppy with a stick if it got her political points," McLagan said. Dole touted her presence on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs during a campaign stop in Fayetteville, but she did not mention the financial crisis. A spokesman declined to make her available for an interview."

This image makes me

9/16/2008 9:34:18 PM

I love the way the Dole camp operates.

Make up insults and claim things, but when called out on the record state that Kay Hagan is playing politics.

9/16/2008 10:15:22 PM

New poll puts Hagan up over Dole by 5.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NC_92168.pdf

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 4:57 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 4:54:51 PM

Quote :

"she cares more about national politics than her constituents"

Quote :

"she cares more about national politics than her constituents"

Quote :

"she cares more about national politics than her constituents"

Gimme a true NC conservative and they would get my vote

9/21/2008 5:25:51 PM

Poll puts Hagan up over Dole by 6.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/state_toplines/north_carolina/toplines_north_carolina_senate_september_18_2008

9/22/2008 6:32:03 PM

Damn she is gaining ground fast. Her advertising though is far superior....Dole's ads are horrible.

I'm voting for her if nothing else that she'll fight for state teacher's pay and my wife would benefit from that...and it's sorely needed.

9/22/2008 6:44:03 PM

i have never and will never vote for elizabeth dole.

i liked jim neal the best to be honest. but clearly, at this point, i will be voting for hagan.

9/22/2008 7:07:49 PM

I would vote Joseph Stalin before I voted Elizabeth Dole; at least we all know Stalin is a bastard

9/22/2008 8:58:50 PM

http://www.mgwashington.com/index.php/news/article/dole-boosts-travel-to-nc-in-election-year/1785/

Quote :

"WASHINGTON-Locked in a tight re-election bid, Sen. Elizabeth Dole has become a familiar face in North Carolina this year. She's cheered at ACC basketball games and NASCAR races, met with troops and local sheriffs, and, of course, attended fundraisers and enjoyed plenty of barbecue. In total, Dole, a Republican, has spent more than three months in North Carolina in 2008. Her frequent travel across North Carolina this year is a departure from previous years, when she spent much less time in the state, a review of Senate travel records shows. Dole's critics say the amount of time she has spent in North Carolina during her first term - especially 2006, when records document less than two weeks of visits - suggest she is out-of-touch with voters in the state. "She's been an absentee and ineffective senator...How can she know if she's effectively serving the people of North Carolina? She's rarely here." said Colleen Flanagan, a spokeswoman for Dole's Democratic opponent, state Sen. Kay Hagan. Dole and her supporters strongly dispute that charge, pointing out that she has visited every North Carolina county while in office and scores of big cities and small towns. And, they argue, the records present a misleading accounting of the time she spent in the state. "We'll go places in North Carolina, and they'll say, this is the first time they've seen a senator in their town ever, or one of only a few times. That speaks volumes," said Brian Nick, Dole's chief of staff. Dole was not available for comment. Dole was born in North Carolina. But she spent almost her entire adult life in Washington before establishing residency in her birth state in 2001 in order to run for Senate"

9/29/2008 11:23:18 AM

Dole sucks...here's to hoping she gets trounced...

9/29/2008 12:55:58 PM

all that matters is teh "-R" next to her name right hooksaw??

9/29/2008 2:45:15 PM

http://bluenc.com/node/11905#new

Quote :

"Just in case anyone gets confused, it is entirely possible to serve in Congress and be part of your hometown. I live in the same neighborhood as David Price. I probably see him, oh, at least three or four times a month - more than I see most of my neighbors! I know Salisbury is WAY farther from DC then the Triangle. Maybe that explains it?"

I just found this video on BLUENC. The thread is I linked to obviously has many left leaning statements considering that its the main democratic blog in the state (& is used my politicians from all across the state), but I think this comment helps highlight how little NC matters to Dole. Kay Hagan on the other hand, whether you agree with her moderate democratic positions or not, grew up here and has a part of the state senate for decades which leads me to believe she cares more about NC than Dole.

9/29/2008 3:38:09 PM

Dole is a political Vulture; pecking at the remains of Jesse Helms

9/29/2008 3:39:49 PM

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2008/09/hagan-expanding-lead.html

Hagan's lead is up to an 8 point advantage now.

9/29/2008 10:06:02 PM

I can't stand Elizabeth Dole. I was at the event in Salisbury where she announced that she was running for the first term, and it was profoundly disturbing. She put on the thickest southern accent I've ever heard and grinned like an idiot while video played of people endorsing her because "she was born here." Over and over, "Well, you know, she was born here." Nice job. You and millions of other people. And what a surprise to find out that as soon as she came back to NC she left as soon as she could and avoids visiting at all costs.

9/30/2008 5:17:00 AM

Quote :

"I would vote Joseph Stalin before I voted Elizabeth Dole; at least we all know Stalin is a bastard"

lol

9/30/2008 6:46:37 AM

I'm not a huge fan of Hagan, but Carpetbagger Dole has been as useful as teats on a boar. Hagan's getting my vote.

9/30/2008 8:13:14 AM

9/30/2008 8:17:39 AM