Posted on 11/13/2002 6:09:09 AM PST by jern
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By ROB CHRISTENSEN AND JOHN WAGNER, Staff Writers
Jim Snyder, the Lexington lawyer who lost the GOP primary to Elizabeth Dole, is beginning to set his sights on Democratic Sen. John Edwards.
Snyder plans to send an e-mail letter to 40,000 Republicans next week, testing the waters for a Senate bid in 2004. "I believe John Edwards can be defeated," Snyder said.
Snyder said he has also received encouragement to run against Democratic Gov. Mike Easley in 2002, but he said his strongest interest is in the Senate.
Snyder said he hopes to decide by April on whether he will make another race, in an effort to give him a jump on other candidates. Among other Republicans looking at the race are Congressman Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, who is torn between continuing his congressional career and seeking higher office.
In the Sept. 10 primary, Snyder ran as a conservative alternative to Dole, finishing second in a seven-candidate field with 14 percent.
After the primary, Snyder endorsed Dole and did some campaigning for her.
Edwards, who is mulling over a presidential run in 2004, has not said whether he intends to seek re-election. He can legally run for both president and the Senate, although most observers think it would be difficult to do both.
Hill climbing
U.S. Sen.-elect Elizabeth Dole on Tuesday named Frank Hill, a North Carolina native with a reputation as a budget wonk, as her chief of staff.
Hill, an Annandale, Va., resident, was the top Washington aide to former U.S. Rep. Alex McMillan, a Charlotte Republican, from 1985 to 1995. He has since worked with McMillan, Hill & Associates, a government relations firm.
Dole said Hill will lead her policy team and oversee her Senate operations out of her Washington office. His appointment was the first in a string of personnel announcements expected in coming weeks as Dole prepares to take office in January.
Hill, who holds degrees from both Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, played a role in Dole's debate preparations during her race against Democrat Erskine Bowles.
During his previous tenure on Capitol Hill, Hill specialized in budget issues, including tax-reform and entitlement spending.
Colleagues describe him as easygoing. Hill and his wife, Judy, have three sons, ranging in age from 10 to 16.
The tour resumes
Dole's victory lap around North Carolina, previously scheduled for last week, will now take place Friday and Saturday, aides indicated.
Dole plans about a half-dozen stops at which she will thank supporters and reach out to those who supported Bowles, her Democratic opponent.
Details are expected to be announced in coming days. Last week's events were canceled due to a family illness.
By staff writers Rob Christensen and John Wagner. Christensen can be reached at 829-4532 or robc@newsobserver.com.
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This poll would seem to bear that out, though it does not include Snyder:
Mason-Dixon Poll: Edwards Could Face Tough Re-Election in 2004
POSTED: 12:11 p.m. EDT October 16, 2002
UPDATED: 6:41 a.m. EDT October 17, 2002
While North Carolina voters are focused on this year's U.S. Senate race, results of a new poll show the 2004 Senate race could become just as lively if incumbent Democrat John Edwards draws a credible challenger.
According to results of a Mason-Dixon Poll, statewide, only 43 percent of voters say they will definitely vote to re-elect Edwards, while 16 percent indicate they will consider voting for a Republican challenger and a significant 35 percent will definitely vote to replace Edwards with a Republican.
When matched against three current Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are generally thought to be popular in their own districts, Edwards fails to top the 50 percent threshold despite a statewide name recognition advantage of 35-50 points over each potential challenger.
In head-to-head match-ups, Edwards leads Sue Myrick by 43 percent -33 percent, Walter Jones by 45 percent -32 percent and Richard Burr by 45 percent -30 percent.
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Weak numbers for a supposed big-player incumbent.
Snyder said he has also received encouragement to run against Democratic Gov. Mike Easley in 2002, but he said his strongest interest is in the Senate.
Typo. Easley is up for re-election in 2004.
Mrs. Dole may do alright, but she is no Jesse Helms, and we can do without any more "moderates" (RINOS & LIRDS in my opinion) like the Maine girls: Olympia Snowe(R) and Susan Collins(R) and Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter(R) and Rhode Island's Lincoln Chafee(R)
NJ could have done better than Doug Forrester, then perhaps they might have had a shot. Find a better candidate to run against Corzine in 2004.
Poster's note: R.I.N.O. = Republican In Name Only. L.I.R.D. = Liberal In Republican Disguise.
I also think that Richard Vinroot will try for the 308th time to become Governor and cost the GOP the Governorship.
Great news! We need more grassroots conservatives in DC, not the weak-minded, White-House-approved types like Dole.
No one is going to beat Corzine. He is a popular incumbent in a liberal bastion with $ 50 million of his own money to spend on the race. Our only shot is if he somehow becomes tainted through Goldman Sachs dealings.
Now we will see if support and aid to match that given Dole is forthcoming from Bush and the beltway people.
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