NC Senate: Dole in Deep Trouble

Few people in politics had a worse year in 2006 than Liddy Dole.  The chair of the Republican's Senate campaign committee, by the end of the campaign she had pretty much been bypassed by the Bush team, who tried to save vulnerable Republicans by running the operation through the RNC.  It didn't work.  Other than current DLC Chair Harold Ford, who ran against the Democratic party but wouldn't run against the war, every Democrat in a close race beat their Republican opponent.  Dole's tenure at the NRSC was an unmitigated disaster.  

Well, 2008 may be an even worse year for her, as she could very well lose her Senate seat to Democrat Kay Hagan:

Rasmussen
May 8, 2008  500 Respondents +/-4.5%

Hagen     48  
Dole        47  
Other        2
Not Sure   3

•  VOTE FOR CHANGE

  is going to help a lot of Democrats down the ticket.

  Time to get Liddy Dole's seat.

  by Drdemocrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:51:42 PM PDT

  •  It's about turn out, turn out, turn out

    We need to register more Dems.

    by Drdemocrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:52:52 PM PDT

    •  those are two different things

      Registering voters is great, but the fact is that it doesn't do much by itself to increase turnout. In order to turnout Democrats on election day, we're all gonna need to work really hard.

      by Yirmiyahu on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:59:27 PM PDT

      •  Register, and canvass

        That is how you win elections, registering new voters especially those who will most likely vote Democratic (blacks, young people), trying to convince undecided voters, and reminding your voters to vote on election day, even offering to give people rides could be the difference between winning and losing a state.

        by Johnnythebandit on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:44 PM PDT

        •  VOTE FOR CHANGE isn't just about registering

          It is about canvassing too.

          Obama was the head of "Project Vote" in Chicago in 1992 which helped Illinois turn BLUE for Bill Clinton's presidency when before Dukakis lost that state.

          Obama knows a thing or two about getting people registered and geting them out to vote.

          by Drdemocrat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:09:43 PM PDT

          •  Ole Liz Dole.

            Once a Democrat but then she turned when she married Bob.

            And now she's as fascist as any other Republican out there.

            I pray we turn her out.  Elizabeth Dole is a danger to the Republic.

            by XOVER on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:33:24 PM PDT

            •  She's a danger to RepublicANS at least...

              Her tenure as NRSC must go down in history as one of the worst leadership examples in the history of U.S. politics. Six GOP incumbants thrown out on her watch and a loss of the Senate in a year the GOP had fewer seats to defend. Thanks, Liddy!

              by gf120581 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:06:45 PM PDT

              •  No, she's a danger to everyone.

                As long as she even has her seat, she's a problem.  It's not enough that she fails miserably to stop us from picking up six Senate seats... she must go down totally.

                by homoaffectional on Sun May 11, 2008 at 07:32:25 PM PDT

•  Sad that.

  Another example of Viagra co-dependency.

  by MTmofo on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:51:51 PM PDT

  •  and addiction plastic surgery n/t

    by oslo on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:26:11 PM PDT

    •  Yeah, she scary

      by Urizen on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:28:39 PM PDT

    •  Grrr.

      There's enough pressure on women in politics as-is for things that men would never have to take shit for.  Let's leave looks out of it, unless you're going to give Joe Biden's hair plugs and Kindly Shoemaker Carl Levin's combover/hair helmet as much prominence in your political analysis as you opinions on Sen. Dole.

      She's bad because she's wrong on the issues, not because of how she looks.

      by Adam B on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:56:16 PM PDT

      •  'preciate this

        Thanks for typing, so I didn't have to do so.

        by CocoaLove on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:05:08 PM PDT

      •  Yawn

        Bad surgery is bad surgery.  Sex is irrelevant.

        by Uberbah on Sat May 10, 2008 at 10:52:17 PM PDT

        •  It's never irrelevant

          Whatever you think of HRC's campaign, you have to agree that it's been damn hard for women to find the perfect balance in their public image when running for office. They get tripped up by a dozen or so factors that are applied to men.

          I don't care for Liddy Dole's politics or what she's done, but for a woman of her generation, she was a true trailblazer at a time when there was no path leading to the heights she has achieved. I'm happy to see her leave the Senate, but I do not begrudge her her approach to her appearance given how fiercely women politicians of her age (or any) are judged on their appearance. Damned if she does, damned if she doesn't.  

          by brittain33 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:11:46 AM PDT

          •  BTW

            People here often read me as a woman, but for the record, I'm male.

            by brittain33 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:12:07 AM PDT

          •  "are NOT applied to men" (n/t)

            by brittain33 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:12:33 AM PDT

          •  completely irrelevant

            Ed Muskie.  John Edwards "the Breck Girl".  John Kerry "looks French."  Dick Cheney looking at his watch when debating Joe Lieberman.  Nixon sweating during the debates with JFK.  Al Gore's "sighs."

            As is usually the case, when it happens to men, it's how the world works.  When the same thing happens to a woman, it's a tragedy of sexism.

            by Uberbah on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:26:44 PM PDT

      •  Not the two you mentioned...

        ... but I have remarked to friends about how ugly Larry Craig and Donald Rumsfeld are.  All things being equal.  Not expecting to be praised about it, but just say I am equal-gender opportunity critic of rep-ugly-cans.

        by homoaffectional on Sun May 11, 2008 at 07:35:01 PM PDT

•  Good.

  Are there any Republicans left?

  by Drew J Jones on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:53:25 PM PDT

  •  a few

    but I hear they're voting for Obama.

    by Yirmiyahu on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:54:39 PM PDT

    •  You're right.

      I saw a "Republicans for Obama" bumper sticker here in Raleigh, NC today.

      by CaptainWillard on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:24:55 PM PDT

  •  Just Hillary ;-)

    by Ohiobama on Sun May 11, 2008 at 12:08:16 AM PDT

  •  Susan Collins

    She's hanging in there.

    It would be sweet to see Cornyn and Dole get the boot and the one Republican senator who actually will work with President Obama win re-election.

    by brittain33 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:13:20 AM PDT

    •  If there was... it wouldn't be Collins.

      Specter, perhaps.  Snowe?  A good chance.  Collins is an obstructionist.  And no "moderate".

      by homoaffectional on Sun May 11, 2008 at 07:36:35 PM PDT

•  Dole: Living example of the Peter Principle

  by muledriver on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:55:03 PM PDT

  •  Love your sig line.

    My fave:

    "Please, gentlemen, no fighting in the War Room!"

    by Dragon5616 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:14 PM PDT

    •  There are plenty more where that came from

      by muledriver on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:24:18 PM PDT

  •  Yeah, except I'd argue

    Liddy Dole was already incompetent at a much lower level than NRSC chair.

    by hyperstation on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:25:38 PM PDT

  •  Is that another Viagra joke?

    by Ohiobama on Sat May 10, 2008 at 10:54:00 PM PDT

•  another one bites the dust

  good riddance

  by pickandshovel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:55:54 PM PDT

  •  Kay Bailey Hutchison next?

    I can't stand that woman.

    Do we have a chance for her seat in 2010?

    by Terre on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:09:27 PM PDT

    •  First Cornyn, then Kay nt

      by Empower Ink on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:11 PM PDT

    •  A dollar or two to Noriega

      could help build the party infrastructure in TX this year to do just that next time!

      by Nulwee on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:18:08 PM PDT

      •  I've contributed to Rick several times

        and will to Kay's opponent when the time comes. they are a dying breed. ruthuglican virus, and we've found a cure. the truth!!!!!!!!!

        by pickandshovel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:39:05 PM PDT

    •  Kay Bailey Hutchinson will run for

      Governor in 2010 so there is a chance of picking up her seat too.  In two years Texas will be more Blue then Purple as the Hispanic and AA population together will be the majority about then.  That will be the death of the "good old boys of Texas."

      by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:25:09 PM PDT

      •  Good reason to have Richardson for VP

        by Urizen on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:30:08 PM PDT

        •  I agree, and he's my first choice,

          but thats just my two cents.
          Edwards as AG, Fallon as State.

          by pickandshovel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:40:19 PM PDT

          •  Richardson's my second choice

            but I like Sebelius better.

            by Johnnythebandit on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:42:05 PM PDT

        •  Noooooooo!!

          I've said it before:  I like my Governor, but he's gaffe-prone, and he has a zipper problem.  He has all the charisma of a Hereford, and his debate skills are seriously deficient.  He might help us win NM, which I think we'll win anyway, but he would lose us PA and OH at the very least.  That's not a good trade-off.  Besides, do you really want the "Black and Tan" ticket?

          Let Richardson work his ass off as a surrogate in western states, then reward him with a job he can do well - Secretary of State.

          by NM Ward Chair on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:28:39 PM PDT

          •  you might want to rethink that ....

            That's a name that just keeps on giving.

            -7.75 -4.67

            "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

            by Odysseus on Sat May 10, 2008 at 11:47:28 PM PDT

      •  It's not just the general population...

        ... but the registered voting population.  Hispanic voter registration is in extremely low numbers, and sadly, some of them, especially in Texas (as well as Florida) still vote republican (although not nearly as many as did pre-immigration "debate"... more like a debacle).

        by homoaffectional on Sun May 11, 2008 at 07:38:30 PM PDT

    •  She has already said she won't run

      for reelection in 2010, but has indicated interest in running for Governor.

      by davybaby on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:40:19 PM PDT

•  North Carolina could be a battleground.

  It's a winnable state, but will require money, effort, and people.  We know Obama energizes exactly the people that would help turn NC blue, but I'm not sure if the national campaign will decide to fight the battle here.

  If they do, I think it would turn out great for the party.. we'll get a governor, a senator, and a President.

  by Wayward Son on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:56:44 PM PDT

  •  Not as likely as Virginia but...

    still, with UNC, and the research triangle and what not, it's doable, but Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, and Nevada, will be more likely pickups

    by Johnnythebandit on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:05:36 PM PDT

  •  Obama said on May 6 that he's contesting NC

    In his victory speech, Obama made it clear that he's going to contest NC during the general election.

    Kay Hagen should thank her lucky stars that Obama's going to be at the top of the ticket.

    by jamtown on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:06:06 PM PDT

  •  I think Obama called it a swing state

    in his NC victory speech. His tone was very much "Oh, yeah, I'll be coming back to this state."

    by jj32 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:18:17 PM PDT

  •  I'm in Fayetteville

    And my sense is that North Carolina can at least be put in play.  Even if the Dem, presumably Obama, doesn't win, at least McCain will have to invest resources in contesting it.

    This poll clearly shows that Hagen has a fighting chance to knock off Dole, which would be great.

    by chutry on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:58 PM PDT

    •  I know I'm in the minority,

      but I think IN can be had, too. Especially if the economy continues to tank.

      by Dragon5616 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:22:14 PM PDT

      •  Interesting

        I'm a former Indiana resident and I remember it being a relatively "red" state compared to other states in the midwest, but my impression is that you're right.

        Certainly NC and Indiana have both been disproportionately affected by economic problems, something that fueled some of the Congressional races in 2006 (Kissel's close call against Hayes, Schuler's win, etc).

        by chutry on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:26:52 PM PDT

      •  If Sebelius is on the ticket I think so

        or bayh, but he comes off as a little arrogant.

        by Johnnythebandit on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:43:08 PM PDT

      •  If the polls remain close in Indiana

        get used to "Vice President Bayh."

        by inside 4ll on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:43:52 PM PDT

        •  No No NO

          No DLC on the Change ticket.

          by smeesq on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:54:56 PM PDT

          •  I don't think Obama

            will choose Bayh.

            by Dragon5616 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:25:15 PM PDT

            •  Bayh's a Clintonista eom

              by NM Ward Chair on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:30:05 PM PDT

            •  I don't think so either

              unless Indiana is in play in August, as this Indy Star poll suggests that it is now.

              If Obama wins Indiana, this race is over.

              by inside 4ll on Sun May 11, 2008 at 07:01:59 AM PDT

              •  I think that he has

                a real chance.  I live here and I was stunned that he came within 12K votes of beating Clinton. If the economy stays bad, almost everywhere may be in play.

                by Dragon5616 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 12:38:47 PM PDT

    •  that's for sure

      John "The NC GOP is out of touch with reality" McCain.
      McSame was actually right but that quote needs to repeated here in NC everyday until November.

      by Shullat on Sat May 10, 2008 at 08:09:44 PM PDT

•  Even if Hagan doesn't win....

  ...it will force the Republican to really pull out all of the stops (and tons of $$$$) to hold onto the seat. A good campaign by Hagan will be beneficial to the party nationwide.

  Kay Hagan was my state senator when I lived in NC (I lived there from 1995-2001). Her election to the state senate was on the same night John Edwards won his senate seat and one of the highlights of my tenure there.

  by lams712 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:01 PM PDT

  •  This is important

    This is the essence of the 50 state strategy. We have to challenge EVERYWHERE, because we might win in improbable places, and we tie up massive amounts of money.

    Anyone who objects to a 50 state strategy is on their knees begging for defeat.

    by Gravedugger on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:01:35 PM PDT

    •  The Repubs still have massive amounts of money

      to try to buy democracy.  So you're right, the competitive aspect of this race alone will be a victory in the money wars.

      by recontext on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:39 PM PDT

  •  If a sitting Candidate gets below, and generally

    stays below 50%, that means they are very beatable.  I think Dole and Cornyn will both have a great chance of losing this year.  Between Noriega and Obama, I think they both might carry Texas!  This is still a longshot but not that much of a longshot.  Please contribute to Noriega whenever you are able.

    by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:20:39 PM PDT

    •  Dole is definitely vulnerable

      I don't get the sense that her popularity runs very deep here, especially given that she is seen as somewhat of an outsider.  My guess is that a well-run and decently-financed campaign can beat her.  

      by chutry on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:24:04 PM PDT

•  I do not like her at all,

  but it was during her tenure as Secretary of Transportation that the third brake light was added near the top a a car to warn others behind that a stop was in progress.  This is not a defense of her, but just a fact.  Warmest regards, Doc.

  by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:09 PM PDT

  •  Wasn't that instituted

    as an alternative to mandatory airbags?  I don't recall, but it's not that positive.

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:58:40 PM PDT

    •  I really do not know about

      the reason.  Perhaps you are correct.  At least a bit of good wrested from an evil Reagan administration, regardless of the cause.  Does anyone reading know the rest of the story?  I would not mind to be informed.  Warmest regards, Doc.

      by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:00:50 PM PDT

      •  Something about a stopped clock...

        ..being right twice a day.

        by socratic on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:01:24 PM PDT

        •  LOL! I like the one

          about even a blind pig finding an acorn now and then better, but the same sentiment.  Warmest regards, Doc.

          by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:02:54 PM PDT

          •  Probably something to do with big donations

            from little red light manufacturers.

            by CTMET on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:08:35 PM PDT

            •  That is possible, but

              I suspect that there was much more money in the new, at that time, airbag technology.  I will look into the history, but not tonight.  Warmest regards, Doc.

              by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:12:01 PM PDT

              •  which is why the auto companies would fight

                airbags.

                The third light is cheap, a couple pennies of wire plastic
                and a dime bulb vs 1600 bucks of air bags

                by nathguy on Sat May 10, 2008 at 10:42:30 PM PDT

    •  Since airbags have awful price/performance

      That is most certainly a positive.

      The European experience provides several well-known areas where American cars could be made both safer and cheaper.

      Airbags

      Some NHTSA standards led to unintended consequences, especially in the early days of NHTSA. The majority Americans in the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s did not wear seat belts, which are estimated to reduce the risk of death in a crash by about 45%. NHTSA attempted to promote belt use by a buzzer-light system that operated continuously if belts were not extended from their stowed positions. When that did not significantly increase use, NHTSA's response was an authoritarian one: seat belt/ignition interlock devices allowed as an alternative to airbags in all new 1974 vehicles, which prevented the car starting unless all front-seat occupants were belted. The interlock provoked such an uproar that Congress forced NHTSA to repeal the standard. Airbags were beginning to be discussed as replacements for seat belts — not as supplementary restraints — and while General Motors sold a small number of vehicles with dual front airbags and no front seat belts between 1974 and 1977, the controversial mandate for airbags in all US-sold vehicles did not take force until the early 1990s.

      There are nominally strict cost-benefit ratio requirements for every safety device or system NHTSA mandates for installation on vehicles. That is, the device or system must save more money than it costs, or must cost no more than a specified amount of money per life saved, or it may not legally be mandated. Such requirements are subject to manipulation of estimated costs and estimated benefits to justify or reject almost any standard: FMVSS #208 effectively mandates the installation of frontal Airbags in all new vehicles in the US, for it is written such that no other technology can meet the stipulated requirements.[9]. Even using conservative cost figures and optimistic benefit figures, airbags' cost-benefit ratio is quite extreme, and may fall afoul of the cost-benefit requirements for mandatory safety devices [10], [11],[12], However, when HID headlamps appeared on the market, NHTSA made no move to require automatic beam levelling or lens cleaning equipment, citing lack of cost-effectiveness. Both of these systems are glare-control measures required with these powerful headlamps under ECE Regulations followed outside North America.

      Headlights

      Honestly, it's hard to even catalog the idiocy and "Not-Invented-Here" bullshit.

      -7.75 -4.67

      "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

      by Odysseus on Sun May 11, 2008 at 12:21:55 AM PDT

•  about NC had a woman Senator

  no, I do NOT count Liddy as a NC Senator - she had no ties to the state until returning and listing her mother's home so she could run. She lived in the Dole family apartment in DC.  

  At least Hagan has some history of public service in the Tarheel state.

  by teacherken on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:22 PM PDT

  •  OT - what the heck is tarheel anyway?

    My, the geographic things one learns during a 50-state primary.  

    by gloryous1 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:10:35 PM PDT

    •  according to wiki, etymology unclear

      but believed to be related to the fact that tar, pitch, etc. were major exports early in North Carolina history, created from the large pine forests the state had at the time. wiki here

      by omegajew on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:24:23 PM PDT

      •  you saved me from having 2 do - thanks n/t

        by teacherken on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:26:09 PM PDT

      •  In NC History class back in the day

        This is what they taught us:

        In the third volume of Walter Clark's Histories of the Several Regiments from North Carolina in the Great War, the author explains that the nickname came from the North Carolina troops ability to hold their ground during a battle. According to the book, North Carolina troops held their ground during a battle in Virginia during the American Civil War while other supporting troops retreated. After the battle, supporting troops asked the victorious North Carolinians: "Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?" and they replied: "No, not a bit; old Jeff's bought it all up." The supporting troops continued: "Is that so? What is he going to do with it?" The North Carolinian troops' response: "He is going to put it on you'ns heels to make you stick better in the next fight."

        by CaptainWillard on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:37:17 PM PDT

    •  Said about Confederate troops from NC:

      "The North Carolina's troops stuck to their ranks like they had tar on their heels"

      Pretty good Wikipedia article at: http://en.wikipedia.org/...

      by SomeStones on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:26:32 PM PDT

  •  Well, it may have been foresight to elect Dole

    I was never all that high on Erskine, and against him pretty much any Republican was going to take the seat.

    By electing Dole, North Carolina sent a poisoned apple straight to RNC HQ, and she completely demoralized their recruiting efforts in the Senate for the last two cycles.

    by Wayward Son on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:35:28 PM PDT

    •  Sorry, but the "foresight" will only be proven...

      ... if not only Dole is defeated for reelection this November, but Richard Burr is in 2010.

      by homoaffectional on Sun May 11, 2008 at 08:12:15 PM PDT

•  Wow

  I guess once a contested primary is over, a candidate does get a bump!

  by Seneca Doane on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:52 PM PDT

  •  That's what I have been saying for months

    The endless primary does have its benefits.

    by gloryous1 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:16 PM PDT

•  Ruby slippers

  Kay Hagan had a funny line about giving Dole some ruby slippers so that she could click her heels three times and go home to Kansas.

  I voted for Jim Neal, but Hagan has been very gracious in winning the primary and the above line shows a sense of humor, which I like in a candidate. She'll get my vote.

  I hope she runs more aggressively in the GE than she did in the primary though. I live in Charlotte and can't say that I remember seeing a single commercial for her. I'm not even sure that she ever made it to Charlotte for a visit, though I could be wrong about that.

  Anyway, she'll be a vast improvement over Dole who has done NOTHING for NC.

  by Grendel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:57:55 PM PDT

  •  How did Elizabeth Dole ever end up in NC

    anyhow? I never understood how she was able to commandeer that outpost, other than that she had a lot of connections in the national headquarters. Kind of like Hillary, in fact, getting the NY senator seat.

    by Nimbus on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:01:34 PM PDT

    •  Mom is in Salisbury

      So she "moved home" to "be with" her mother and, oh! my my, look! An open Senate seat. Why, I'll just throw my hat in the ring and see what happens!

      by Grendel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:49 PM PDT

      •  Wasn't she the head of the Red Cross

        briefly before she edged into her senate seat?

        by Nimbus on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:50 PM PDT

        •  Yes n/t

          by Grendel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:19:31 PM PDT

        •  Not that "briefly"

          1991-2000

          by davybaby on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:54:28 PM PDT

      •  Her mother passed away in 2004 at age 102

        by oslo on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:38:57 PM PDT

        •  Sorry to hear that

          102 is pretty impressive. She must have been proud of her daughter after having lived through a century of oppression of women.

          Having said that, though, and not meaning to be callous, there is really no reason at all then for Dole not to rejoin her husband in Kansas.

          by Grendel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:07 PM PDT

          •  Is Bob Dole in Kansas?

            I think their real home is in the Watergate. They're total creatures of Washington. What's he going to do back in Russell, KS?

            by brittain33 on Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:15:09 AM PDT

      •  So was her childhood home

        "Liddy" was born and went to school in Salisbury, and went to college at Duke. So it's a bit more legit than Clinton in NY. (22 years past residency vs. zero)

        A bit more like Cheney moving his voting address back to WY from TX to avoid 12th Amendment problems. Obviously politically motivated, but with some historic precedent.

        Despite that, go Hagan!

        by Lake Lahontan on Sat May 10, 2008 at 11:13:02 PM PDT

    •  Elizabeth Dole was never from Kansas but her

      husband was from Kansas.  She was from N. Carolina. Bob Dole rarely went back to Kansas either once he became a Senator.  The one time he remembered he was from Kansas was when he ran for the Presidency.  Then he made a big issue of going back to see his childhood home in Russell, Kansas.  BTW, Russell, Kansas has produced two Senators, Dole and the Repug Senator from Pennsylvania whose name escapes me at this moment.

      by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:16:11 PM PDT

      •  True

        But doesn't Bob still live in Russell, Kansas?

        by Grendel on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:22:17 PM PDT

        •  I hope you are joking! No Bob Dole lives in

          DC.  Old Senators never go home, they die in DC.

          by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:23 PM PDT

          •  In the Watergate

            IIRC, the Doles live in the Watergate.

            by smeesq on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:59:42 PM PDT

        •  I think he owns a house there

          But he divides his time between DC (where he is a lawyer/lobbyist) and a beach condo in Florida.

          by davybaby on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:57:55 PM PDT

      •  Arlen Specter

        by davybaby on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:58:42 PM PDT

  •  I liked neal better too, but Hagan is good

    by Johnnythebandit on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:07:17 PM PDT

  •  The ruby slippers have been

    on Kay's website since the redesign was unveiled a few weeks ago.  

    by Newsie8200 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:25:25 PM PDT

•  Bob Dole better stock up on the Viagra.

  Liddy's gonna need something good in her life this year.

  ...Wow.  I even made myself throw up, with that one.  

  (Beams with pride.)

  by chumley on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:58:03 PM PDT

  •  A little bit

    in my mouth.. I did.. not you.  *shudder.

    by socratic on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:02:10 PM PDT

  •  My thoughts were that Libby has lost her touch

    since she is married to this old old goat.  When one is around a eighty some year old man, how can one be sharp and politically savey?

    I can't remember the last time that Libby appeared in the news in any fashion.  My point is that she has lost her touch, especially in N.C. where the population is getting younger, more cosmopolitan and more educated.

    by ajleiker on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:11:31 PM PDT

    •  He is not that much older

      than is she.  Born in 1936, she is now around 72, older than McCain.  Warmest regards, Doc.

      by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:14:53 PM PDT

      •  He is 85 or so,

        which was my Dad's age when he died.  So what if he was 23 when she was 10?  Or 33 when she was 20?  Warmest regards, Doc.

        by Translator on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:16:56 PM PDT

    •  Robert Dole. Is he still alive?

      by Templar on Sun May 11, 2008 at 11:45:47 AM PDT

•  DH, not to nitpick but

  you wrote Libby instead of Liddy.

  For some reason, "Liddy in deep trouble", has a much nicer schadenfreude-y ring to it than "Libby".

  Great news though!  NC voters have had, and will have again in November, some great opportunities to really be Game Changers®.

  by beabea on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:58:33 PM PDT

  •  I liked it when Libby was in deep trouble

    Oh, for the good old Plamegate days!

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:59:30 PM PDT

    •  Yeah, you're right...

      the good old days when old Scooter was still a convicted felon facing jail, before the chimpinator decided he knows better than the judge.

      And then the even older good old days when Liddy (G. Gordon) went off to jail.

      Liddy, Libby, Liddy/Libby...what is it with people who have these names?

      by beabea on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:05:37 PM PDT

  •  I figured he was just mixing up

    his food groups- juice, pineapples, whatever!

    by NYFM on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:00:35 PM PDT

  •  Am I the only one...

    who wouldn't mind terribly going to Yorba Linda, getting a shovel, and impeaching Nixon again, for old times sake?

    Kidding of course, but if we can't impeach this idiot, the least we can do is impeach Nixon again.

    by Losty on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:03:09 PM PDT

    •  If we can do a posthumous impeachment

      of Nixon, we might have a longer timeframe available to impeach Chimpy/Cheney, than we perhaps think.

      by beabea on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:07:46 PM PDT

    •  Nion wasn't impeached.

      He resigned first.

      Just because they convene grand juries and hold impeachment hearings, doesn't mean that's an actual impeachment.  

      by RadicalGardener on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:10:14 PM PDT

      •  I know, Just a thought. n/t

        by Losty on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:15:52 PM PDT

•  yea

  and you can thank the Obama campaign for registering record numbers of dems in NC.

  A new world is being written!

  by virtuald on Sat May 10, 2008 at 06:59:21 PM PDT

•  Will McCain put her on his ticket