In the Dem primary's only TV debate 4/29, businessman Jim Neal said he's "the only party hopeful capable of beating" Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R), "dismissing his chief rival" state Sen. Kay Hagan "as just another political insider."
Hagan "has a built a wide lead in both polling and fundraising with the support" of Dem leadership. But Neal said he can beat Dole "because he offers something different." Neal: "We have to offer a contrast. Democrats win on contrast and standing firm on values. And that's what I'm about."
Hagan, "meanwhile, said she believes" that any Dem "has a good chance of defeating Dole.... But she vowed to be that candidate, contrasting herself with Dole on issues such as the minimum wage, financial aid for students and veterans benefits" (Baker, AP, 4/30).
Hagan "shared the stage with three of the four other candidates:" Neal, podiatrist Howard Staley, and atty Marcus Williams. (A fifth candidate, truck driver Duskin Lassiter, did not attend.) She used the debate "to repeatedly tout her experience and electability." Hagan: "I'm the one candidate with a proven record of leadership. And I can beat Elizabeth Dole."
Neal, "who has run the most active campaign other than Hagan, attacked [her] directly at several points. He criticized her willingness" to accept money from PACs. "He argued that Congress had been too deferential to the Bush administration in recent years, and that a different kind of leadership is needed in Washington." Neal: "Changing the culture of politics does not mean sending more politicians to Washington."
"Hagan refused to respond to Neal's attacks, saying she stands by her record" (Bracken, Raleigh News & Observer, 4/30).
Hand Caught In The Liquor Cabinet?
The "sometimes controversial" ABC Chair Doug Fox "held a campaign event at his home" for LG Beverly Perdue (D) on 4/18, "even as Perdue was distancing herself from the liquor industry and speculation that she had promised to reappoint the chairman if she's elected."
"The event came two months after a liquor company executive sent e-mail to other liquor brokers asking them to contribute to Perdue's campaign because she would reappoint Fox and ensure changes that benefit the industry."
Fox "initially denied he was raising money for Perdue during an interview on the day of the event at his home but then responded: 'I'm not going to answer that.'"
"Perdue said last week that the event was a 'meet and greet,' not a fundraiser." Perdue: "It was local people, a lot of folks I hadn't met" (Johnson/Bonner, Raleigh News & Observer, 4/30).
Don't Be A Stranger
Dan Savage takes on the Human Rights Campaign for not supporting Neal, who is openly gay. "They’re the mainstream gay rights group with all the money and the little blue equal bumper stickers, [and they have] refused to endorse the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for US Senate in North Carolina. His name is Jim Neal and he’s a homo."
"Why won’t HRC endorse Neal? Well, when the DNC says jump, HRC leaps into low-earth orbit. … [But] it seems to me that not receiving the endorsement of the nation’s largest gay rights group might actually help Neal with North Carolina voters. He should point to HRC’s refusal to endorse him as proof that he doesn’t march in lock-step with gay rights groups, blah blah blah, and that their non-endorsement is proof that he’s not a single-issue candidate" ("Slog," The Stranger, 4/30).
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