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A fair point: Vernon tends to deliver delicate messages with a sledgehammer. The campaign (that he lost) in 2002 for state rep. against a woman accused of embezzlement from a bankrupt charter school (I think that's right) is prime such example of a horribly run campaign.

The question is this: who else?

Virginia Foxx - seems to be willing to make any deal to get what she's after (though I can't quantify that any better - it's a feeling/hunch thing). She's gotta prove to me that she'll only do deals with the GOP as a member of the majority. I always wonder about things like abortion and women's issues with women in politics, too. Most are social libs.

Ed Broyhill - shyster; more 'used car dealer' than businessman; liar (campaign ads call him "considered one of America's leading businessmen" when he bankrupted the one major business he had. BTW - he fails to mention that business in his new resume!). Running on Daddy's name and reputation; not fit for office. Neither his corporate office nor any elected office, that is.

Ed Powell - lousy capaigner; Ex-Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and ex-state Representative turned lobbyist. No distinguishing characteristics.

Jay Helvey - a moderate at best; recently moved back to NC, I understand. Annoying fluffy commercials that mean nothing. One positive point: he's not used Helms' name. Negative? I suspect he wouldn't be caught dead doing so.

Nathan Tabor - the "young Jesse Helms" probably will be good, but far too young with zero political experience. Has not answer my littany of questions from a month ago (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-campaign2002/1041062/posts?page=16#16)

Given these options, if I had to vote today, it would have to be Robinson, with Tabor second and Foxx a distant third.

Having gotten through the article in more detail, I hereby request the opportunity to revise and extend my remarks.

While the words above come from V Foxx in the context of a campaign pitch, I have to admit that there are thing I do like about her:
-- If she is indeed a social conservative as claimed, then that helps a bunch.
-- She DOES have a reputation for getting things done -- not just talking about them.
-- She does represent the district (the WHOLE district) better since she's not from Forsyth county. IMHO, this is still a plus over Ed Powell
-- In the NC Gen Assy, she has had to operate as a minority member, which limited her options. By all accounts, she managed to overcome this and I can't really complain about deals in that kind of environment.
-- I know from radio stints (WSJS) that she's a bit of a budget hawk

I hereby elevate Foxx to #2 on my virtual ballot, with the race (and my actual vite) still up for grabs. Sorry, but Ed Powell doesn't generate any enthusiasm or interest. I believe he gets smothered in this campaign, as there's way too many "names" on the ballot better known than his.

Jay Helvey - a moderate at best; recently moved back to NC, I understand. Annoying fluffy commercials that mean nothing. One positive point: he's not used Helms' name. Negative? I suspect he wouldn't be caught dead doing so.

I'll put in a word for Helvey, though he'd prolly be #3 on my list. He says he's a conservative, and I've met the guy, and I think he's a decent guy. I've met his campaign staff, and they seem like nice folks as well. Nice as in honest. Is there any proof he's a conservative? No, no track record, although he didn't hesitate to max out to the BushCheney04 campaign (best $2k he's spent yet, IMO). Is there any proof he's a moderate or liberal? No.

Of course, to be safe I'd go with Vernon (first, although sometimes he gets a little RonPaul-ish) or Tabor (second, although he's so . . . "Soy Boy"-ish). There's no question how they would vote in Congress, maybe a little different but both stellar, supporting Christian conservatism.

Third would be Helvey; my impression is that he is sincere, and that he'd be a good congressman to have run statewide some day (gotta keep a good political bench!) if he proved himself in Congress. He told me he hadn't been involved in politics before (maybe not even voted????), but maybe some voters would find that refreshing. I just looked at him and tried to keep a straight face. "Oh, okay Jay." Spend a couple years workin' it in the GOP, let people get to know and trust you, let people see where you stand within the party, and maybe they'll be ready to trust you with a major elective office based on more than a hunch.

I've heard way too many stories about Foxx spinning a different tale depending on who she's talking to, especially on social issues, to trust her further than I could throw her. I'm sure she'd be a decent congresscritter, but take her newfound support for a Marriage Amendment for example. I'd bet that when push came to shove she'd team up with the House moderates against the conservatives to go for a very weak, hollow Marriage Amendment, one that allowed civil unions and goodness knows what else, and then come home and spin it that she worked to get the strongest M.A. possible.