Democrats in Northwestern North Carolina has reason to celebrate Thanksgiving. They could give thanks for the victory of Ray Warren who will return to Raleigh in January as one of the most effective representatives Hickory and Alexander County have had in many generations. Look for him to move into chairmanship roles. The election of Kay Hagan to the U.S. Senate was reason to give thanks. She has the energy and the commitment to North Carolina, including our area of the state. As co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she signed off on initiatives at Catawba Valley Community College, including the development of the Center for Emerging Manufacturing Solutions and the Hosiery Tech Center.
Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue and Lt. Gov.-elect Walter Dalton were remembered in our Thanksgiving reflections. They represent new opportunities for the Northwest region, despite the dominance of ultra-conservatives who embrace the GOP.
WANNA JOB? Lyndon Helton, chair of the Perdue campaign in Catawba County, is looking for energetic people who might be interested in serving on a state board or commission. Resumes are now being sent to the Perdue transition team. Hundreds of positions–mostly volunteer–are going to be filled on state boards and committees. Helton would like few of those positions to be filled by people from this region.
PERDUE CABINET: Crandall Bowles or Sen. David Hoyle for Secretary of Commerce. Sen. Clark Jenkins for Transportation Secretary. Former Sen. Scott Thomas of New Bern for Crime Control…these are few of the names being circulated in Raleigh as possible appointees by Gov. Beverly Perdue. Hoyle was an early supporter of Perdue and has roomed with Senate President Pro-Tem Marc Basnight, the most powerful political leader in Raleigh.
Today Basnight can list the following people who he brought into his leadership team: Sen. Hagan, Gov.-Elect Perdue, Lt. Gov.-Elect Dalton, Sen. Hoyle who is Senate Finance Chair, and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand.
Basnight is a friend of Andy Griffin who has a home in Manteo. Sheriff Andy made robo calls and cut TV ads for Perdue and Hagan.
SEN. BURR NEW FACE OF GOP? Karl Rove, so-called mastermind behind the election and administration of President Bush, now says U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina should be promoted as the new face of the Republican Party. Writing in Newsweek magazine, Rove says Burr presents a fresh new image for Republicans.
First, Burr has to get his own house in order. He has the reputation of being indifferent to delegations that call upon him in Washington. The loss of Sen. Elizabeth Dole sent a message to Burr and his PR news releases have been flowing out since the elections. His re-election campaign will dominate the 2010 activities in North Carolina. Look for Democrats to have a primary to select a candidate to oppose Burr. How about outgoing State Treasurer Richard Moore?
