This is pretty much “must watch” in terms of production, substance, messaging. From calling out extremism and extremist voices to positive messaging about the Democratic Party to making substantive points about issues requiring focus and action to his personal story, Aiken’s three minutes is worth your time.
For those not on twitter, the YouTube version:
The script
Hey folks, it's been a while. Now i know i look a little different these days, but we've met before. I'm Clay Aiken.
Most of you probably remember me like this … skinny. Back in those days, I was a bright-eyed kid from North Carolina on my way to becoming a special ed teacher. And, then that little singing competition changed everything for me. That was almost 20 years ago. Can you believe that?
A lot can happen in 20 years. Back when we first met there was no Facebook. There was no Twitter. … Thank God!
There was no smartphone. The most popular cell phone in America actually looked like this.
And, I can guarantee you that unless you lived in illinois you didn't even know, who this guy was.
A lot has changed for me, too. I came home. I came out. I became a father. These days my life looks a lot more like yours than Justin bieber's. That i can
promise you.
But, one thing that has never changed for me is how much i love my home state. North Carolina is the place where I discovered first that I had a voice. And, that it was a voice that could be used for more than singing.
You know that for decades North Carolina was actually the progressive beacon in the
South. We had the best roads and the best schools because back then the loudest voices in our government were progressives who actually made sure our stay was always moving forward
But, then things changed and the progressives lost power and we started getting backwards ass policies like the voter suppression bills and the bigoted
bathroom bill.
Today, it seems like the loudest voices in North Carolina politics arewhite nationalists like this guy. “My friends i encourage you continue to make your voice heard because do we love donald trump” [Cawthorn ...]
and hateful homophobes like this one “what is the purpose of homosexuality what does it create?”
And, we all know it's not just a North Carolina thing for every Madison and Mark in North Carolina there's a Marjorie in Georgia or Lauren in Colorado. And, these folks are taking up all the oxygen in the room. I'm going to tell you I am sick of it
I'll tell you something else. As Democrats we have got to get better about speaking up and using our voices because those folks ain't quieting down anytime soon.
That's why i'm running for congress here in this community that raised me and where i first discovered my voice.
We as level-headed open-minded and compassionate Democrats, We have always been the party of all Americans. We have always been the big tent. And, we've got to continue to be that because from stopping climate change and systemic racism and income inequality and gun violence to securing voting rights and free health care and a woman's right to choose, we are the ones who are going to solve the country's biggest problems And, we are the ones who are going to defend our most precious rights
And, just think how excited these guys are going to be when we elect the
south's first gay congressman. make them proud go to
clayegan.com and chip in a few bucks to add your voice to our historic campaign because if the loudest and most hateful voices think they're going to speak for us just tell them i'm warming up the old vocal cords
How's that for purpose, big fella?
From Aiken’s website:
“One of my first experiences in politics and government was asking Congressman Price to speak to my eighth grade class – an invitation he graciously accepted. He is a legendary legislator who has delivered for the Triangle for over 30 years, and he leaves big shoes to fill. I’d be honored to take his place representing the Triangle. As a loud and proud Democrat, I intend to use my voice to deliver real results for North Carolina families, just like David Price has done for decades. I'll always stand up for my principles and fight for inclusion, income equality, free access to quality health care, and combating climate change. I also believe we need more civility in our politics, and North Carolina deserves representatives in Washington who use their positions to make people’s lives better, not to advance polarizing positions that embarrass our state and stand in the way of real progress. As my mom taught me: ‘you can disagree without being disagreeable.’”
“In Congress, I’ll use my voice to advocate for common-sense policies that encourage continued job growth and healthy communities. Many of these political battles divide us as people, threaten our democracy, and weaken America. North Carolinians are worried about affordable health care and rapid inflation. They are worried about their retirement savings and are frustrated by crowded interstates and infrastructure that hasn't kept up with our rapid growth. These are the issues that matter, and these are the issues I will focus on in Congress.”
About Clay
Clay Aiken, 43, is a 10th generation North Carolinian who was born, raised and currently resides in Wake County, NC – part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Aiken studied and taught special education prior to his appearance on American Idol in 2003. He went on to use his platform to become an advocate for full inclusion of children with special needs, including founding The National Inclusion Project. Aiken has also advocated for humanitarian efforts in war-torn and tragedy-stricken countries on behalf of UNICEF as a National Goodwill Ambassador. Aiken is a lifelong Democrat running in the newly drawn NC-06. The region’s current congressman, Rep. David Price, announced his retirement in October after serving in Congress since 1987.
As to ‘best ever’, many think it is in the running …
Tuesday, Jan 11, 2022 · 8:31:42 PM +00:00
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A Siegel
This was a quick post re a great political advertisement. I am not from NC06 nor expert on those running. This wasn’t mean as an endorsement of Aiken in the race.
The D primary winner will almost certainly be the next Representative. (NC06 was drawn as a D voter sink as part of NC gerrymandering.) There are many in the D primary other than Aiken: