NC-5 is where to do it. Rated at R+15, this district has been where well-recruited candidates go to die, and hasn't elected a democrat since Jim Neal in 1994. Cutting a wide swath through the northwest corner of the state, the district is mostly rural, and in any other year is safely red.
This year, a different sort of candidate is running. Roy Carter, Progressive grassroots all star, has spent 40 years of his life as a teacher, football coach, and part time farmer. From a decidedly rural upbringing emerged the sort of democrat that shatters the myth of Republican monopoly on small towns. His opponent is Virginia Foxx, who, in addition to being in lockstep with President Bush on nearly every issue, has voted against SCHIP, Hurricane Katrina Relief, and extending the Voting Rights Act. She received a 100% rating from the American Conservative Union. She has received failing grades from labor and environmental groups.
The Kicker is after the jump (it's good.)
Are you ready? Just a few months ago, here's what Foxx had to say about the economy: "This is not a failed economy. We are not in a recession. what a shame that Democrats want to talk down the economy...." She then leverages that into a spirited argument in favor of offshore drilling. A Bush Republican, through and through.(Video here.)
In short, not a candidate on the best political ground during the biggest financial crisis of our lifetime.
Early on in the race, Roy challenged Foxx not to refuse contributions from big oil, big pharma, and big insurance. She refused, but Roy has stayed true to his promise, divorcing himself from the moneyed corporate interests that have run Washington for far too long.
Oh, and did I mention that Roy won't accept congressional healthcare until we pass a national healthcare plan?
How about a few words from Roy on what sort of representative he'd like to be.
"...a representative that actually demonstrates the values of honesty, integrity, and compassion. The citizens of the 5th district deserve a representative that will reject corporate influences from lobbyists, be there for our neighbors in great times of tragedy, and be a representative who is accountable to the people and willing to place their needs above Washington politics.
My faith and my upbringing taught me that fighting poverty, helping those in need, and lifting up our brothers and sisters to adequately educate and prepare themselves is the right thing to do. Our families deserve more than empty moral posturing from an incumbent that votes to leave children without healthcare, leave Katrina victims to drown and our farmers out to dry, makes it more difficult to obtain student loans, and goes out of her way to vote for torture. The hard working and loving families of the 5th district deserve the things that we all want for our family." - Roy Carter
Boy, don't you think this sort of populism sounds pretty appealing right now to the sorts of rural voters that democrats have had trouble attracting? A smart, principled man of the earth like Roy has a great shot at competing in areas that Foxx desperately needs if she is to resist the groundswell of democratic support emerging nationally. Roy has been endorsed by the National Association of Educators, Democracy for America, and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
And this year more than any is a good year to be a down-home democrat running against a Bush Republican. Roy will bring home the Reagan Democrats who are still having problems with Barack. And as North Carolina gets bluer and bluer, Foxx really has to be worried. From January to August, the voter reg stats are as follows: 20,363 Republicans, 171,955 Democrats, 123,605 Unaffiliated. An August 1 poll put the race at Carter 41% Foxx 51% but noted Foxx's low favorability ratings for an incumbent (just 45%.)
And in a more recent PPP Survey on behalf of Democracy Corps, with an admittedly low sample size, Foxx is polling at 48% to Carter's %46.
Public Policy Polling on the race:
The closest Congressional district in the state is the 5th, where Virginia Foxx leads Roy Carter 48-46. I really hope the DCCC and other folks take the pick up opportunity in this district seriously. There are races on the Red to Blue list that based on the data I've seen are less winnable than this one. Carter is a uniquely appealing candidate and has the opportunity to pull off the same kind of shocker Larry Kissell almost did in 2006 if he gets the resources he needs to run the strongest campaign possible.
And remember, all this polling was PRE-MELTDOWN. And Roy's opponent is on video in June saying that this isn't a recession. Think about this race in terms of Larry Kissell's race in 2006. Had people paid attention sooner, another good democrat would be in Congress right now.
Roy NEEDS HELP. He's up against moneyed, corporate interests. The fifth has historically been bad for democratic fundraising, and with higher profile senate and national races in the area, Roy's campaign has been overlooked by many. So what can we do? We can put our money where our mouth is by contributing to Roy's campaign in whatever way we can. If ever change could be brought to Washington, it could be here.
So you want to break their backs? Really break their backs, and crush their spirits, and dance on the GOP's grave, and yadda yadda yadda? This would do it. Never in 1 million years did the NRCC think this one would be close. But it is, and we can push Roy over the edge.
http://www.actblue.com/...