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My Front Row Seat in the Nation's Strangest Swing State
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By March, as Kay and I were battling for the Democratic nomination, the big tent began rolling into town unexpectedly. Spirited regional organizers for the Obama campaign had 20 offices up and running before Hillary opened her first. Soon you couldn’t cross the street without bumping into a Clinton, Obama, or an Obama surrogate like Rep. John Conyers, Mayor Cory Booker, and Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery.
Those of us down-ballot were suffocating. Obama and Hillary had sucked the oxygen out of the air. Kay and I were in a dead-heat in most polls, but half the voters didn’t know anything about us. The DSCC was nervous. In the month before the primary, it contributed more to the Hagan campaign than it had to all but one other primary campaign in history. In a year when turnout was twice what was projected, every TV commercial was a coveted asset. To an outsider with no media budget, it was a death knell. Kay won the primary by 3 to 1. Obama thumped Hillary pretty much as expected. The same folks who once said that Dole was invincible will tell you that I lost because I’m gay. I know better, now as before. And Kay’s the last hope to prove them wrong beyond reasonable doubt.
Up until yesterday, the dynamic of the Dole/Hagan senate race had changed on a single political ad. It was a brilliant tactical commercial aired by the DSCC. Cut to two elderly men in rocking chairs on the porch of a country store. They’re jawboning back and forth about whether Liddy Dole is ranked the 92nd or 93rd most effective member of the Senate. Subtly, their exchange draws attention to Dole’s age (she’s one year older than John McCain.) Dole’s been playing defense ever since on a battlefield which keeps expanding.
Kay is more polished than she was six months ago, projecting confidence and comfort with her message. She’s a spitfire while Dole is a throwback to a white-glove era of southern gentility. Dole speaks in a honey-laced drawl and works a crowd like the hostess at a ladies’ tea party. She’s a lonely warrior, paired alongside her 85 year-old husband. It’s sort of sad, for Dole is nobody’s fool. She has been a pioneering woman during her 30 years on the national stage. But her heart and energy are as absent from this race as she has been as our senator. This is not the same Elizabeth Dole who stampeded former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles in 2002. She has taken the white gloves off. The Liddy of old is gone. Whether she holds back Kay will turn on whether historians describe yesterday’s salvo as a Hail Mary or the Halloween Surprise.
Obama and Biden made Raleigh the site of their first joint campaign appearance. Ever since the cast of characters on the set in North Carolina has been dizzying. Sarah Palin wore boots and jeans, not Manolo Blahnik’s, in the mountainous west on Sunday; Joe Biden donned a blue suit and repp tie in Greensboro on Monday. Usher was in Charlotte Tuesday, and Edie Falco is Bama Da Binging all over the state. Still more celebs: Hank Williams, Jr., headlined for John McCain in Fayetteville (nee Fort Bragg) Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday, Barack spoke to a throng in Raleigh while Michelle addressed the General Baptist State Convention in Fayetteville. Bidens’s sister, Ashley Judd, and Mike Huckabee are also dropping in this week. The Palin Show—there’s a rerun this Saturday in Raleigh. You betcha North Carolinians are going to tune in.
Tuesday night, I pulled up a chair in a Pakistani café a mile or so from my home. There across the table was Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr. As we ate, three people stopped by to introduce themselves—to me. Nobody noticed the would-be Libertarian spoiler across the table, who a couple of million Americans will vote for on Nov. 4.
Bob moved on to his next gig. I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow.
Jim Neal was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina’s Democratic primary last May. He finished second to nominee Kay Hagan. He lives in Chapel Hill, NC.
Cartoon credit: The Charlotte Observer.
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As a Raleigh resident, only Tivo has been able to resue me from the shock and awe of Liddy's campaign. I even caught my 5 year old with a perplexed stare during one of her ads. The most insulting point about her ads is the fact that it is so obvious to the 1st class intellect that she is targeting the lower class intellect with fear. As she attepts to fill Helms' shoes she tore a page right out of his campaign tactic textbook, if she wins she is well on her way to historically replacing him. I have already voted for Hagan, but to my surprise a few of my NRA card carrying GOP friends have growing compassion for Hagan. We might be suprised next week. Who knew this sweet looking old lady would be the first to throw off the gloves?
Great article. Jim Neal hit it out of the park as ever. Always appreciate his insights and commentary......and wish he was going to DC this year. Run again. You and Obama are the type of thoughtful political leaders that America craves.
Dole is desperate, like McCain. This is the sort of stuff that desperate politicians resort to. I think the ad is going to be a Hail Mary......
I still can't believe what happened in NC's US Senate primary. Jim Neal was clearly the best candidate as he possessed knowledge of the issues and voiced real solutions to the problems of the country. (Kay wouldn't even publicly support Barak or Hillary in the primary! Even if I disagree with you, I'd like to know your thought process. How will you represent me?) I still don't know how Kay feels about drilling for oil off of NC's coast or in Alaska, the war in Iraq, gay marriage or the solution to the economic crisis. Didn't she work for a big bank?
Why do we let the political parties be so powerful? And who are those citizen groups that sponsor the slimy ads? Makes me wonder how our country is really run.
Very fun read--you do a great job at accurately portraying the current state of affairs.
I was absolutely shocked by Elizabeth Dole's new ad yesterday. It's hard to believe that as we dwindle on the edge of this so-called 'new era' in American politics, politicians still play to the fears of Americans, rather than their needs. Six years ago, this personal attack may have worked. However, I get a feeling that Dole has put the last nail in her coffin.
As much as it pains me to say this--I hope Hagan's slippers can do the trick.
Come November 4, I have a strong feeling that North Carolina will make some great choices.
I find it absolutely refreshing to hear a former US senate candidate completely nail the environment that is brewing here in North Carolina. Everyone I meet, from every demographic is talking about Obama. Everyone I meet is also sick and tired of these last minute desperate attempts to sway voters will malicious and vile advertising. Thank you Jim for writing a great commentary on what everyone down here is thinking. Kudos!
Jim Neal, your primary campaign was transformational for so many of us, demonstrating an unrivaled energy that made it a blue-print, I believe, for your better funded opponent.
I am equally proud of your post-primary accomplishments. Keep it up.
Fantastic article! I'm mesmerized daily by the new North Carolina politics. Growing up in North Carolina it was utterly infuriating to watch my friends and neighbors be swayed by the deceit of the Republican Party. Over and over I have witnessed my community (Erwin, NC) vote against their own economic interests. Perhaps this is the year NC voters stop being swayed by Republican empty promises on social issues and vote to save their own jobs and pocket books.
I have always enjoyed your take on things. You did get my vote. I'm so glad to see it here. I have been very disappointed in the negative turn that many campaigns have taken. It disturbs me because sometimes it works. Like alot of us in NC, we are watching intently, holding our breath.
Great article. Liddy has brought shame on NC. I hope we kick that carpetbagger back to her Watergate apartment. Thanks, Jim for standing up to her when no one else had the guts.
Nice summary, Jim. I still can't believe the changes we've seen in N.C. recently. And your predictions about Kay's reaction to Dole's ad are right on!
I actually believe that a lot of the ground Democrats have picked up in North Carolina are largely credited to you, Jim Neal. Your grassroots campaign throughout the state impassioned a slew of new voters to rise up to the occasion (myself included).
Just like I think Obama benefited from the tough primary season versus Clinton, Hagan would not be on her A-game now had she not been up against such a worthy competitor. Next week will be groundbreaking for North Carolina. I'm hoping to see Obama win our state, Hagan dethrone Dole, and then the cherry on top will be Jim Neal besting Richard Burr in 2010. Who do I need to talk to to get the lawn sign now?
Great article Jim! Dole's ad was unbelievable. You are a big man to defend Kay Hagan. I wish her my best, but you should be the next Senator from North Carolina!
As a former staffer who worked for a year to help defeat Jesse Helms while on Havey Gantt's campaign in '96, I left this state at the end of the campaign thinking there was no hope for it to become even a little bit progressive - I was so upset that the majority of voters in this state would choose someone like Helms (yet again) over someone like Gantt. I was discouraged again in the 2002 and 2004 cycles when I moved back to the state to work in NC politics again. This year has been a little like being in the twilight zone as I watch NC being in play for seats that haven't been in play for so long. Your article does a nice job of summing up what this wacky political year has been like for so many of us who have lived through the conservative years of NC for too long!
Great piece, Jim. I'm glad you're sharing your insightful perspective with so many and I look foward to reading more from you! However, reading this piece only reminds me that I, and obviously many others, are even more looking foward to seeing you in public office. I think North Carolina is getting ready for you!
when I was too young to vote, my mom let me fill in the bubbles for her in the voting booth. over the years, i filled in bubbles for both bob an libby, but this election is different. her campaign is in and of itself an example of why she can't represent my state any longer-- and jim, thank you for articulating it. PS, when can I vote for YOU?
Thank you.
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