Free Republic

Two months before he's expected to file for re-election, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said he's keeping his options open -- for a 2004 governor's race. If elected to an unprecedented fifth term in November, McCrory would have less than four months to file for a statewide race. But in an interview Tuesday, he declined to rule it out. "I'm going to keep my options open for 2004 right now," he said. "Right now all my concentration is on running for mayor." Filing for this fall's city elections opens July 7. Though widely expected to run, McCrory said only that he's...

Stage is likely set for GOP's first contested primary since 1997 MICHELLE CROUCH Staff Writer For the first time since 1997, Republican voters in Charlotte may have a choice in who they nominate to be the city's next mayor. Former Charlotte City Council member Mike Castano, a staunch conservative, will announce his candidacy at 6 p.m. Monday. He'll likely run against four-term Mayor Pat McCrory in the Republican primary, setting up a race that will focus largely on McCrory's support of a new $265 million basketball arena. "We need to repair our roads and meet the needs of our citizens...

After a decade on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, John Lassiter announced Monday he is running for an at-large Charlotte City Council seat. Lassiter, a Republican, said supporters have encouraged him to run for council for years and it's finally time. "We've reached a point that I think we're in a much better place in our public schools than when I joined the board in 1992," Lassiter said. "I still have an interest in serving the community, and I believe there are a lot of issues facing the city that I can be of some value in addressing." He said he...

Congressman raises money, eyes Senate seat By ROB CHRISTENSEN, Staff Writer WASHINGTON -- There is little mystery why U.S. Rep. Richard Burr has become the hottest commodity in the North Carolina Republican Party -- the White House's choice for the Senate seat held by Democrat John Edwards. Burr, a 47-year-old Winston-Salem resident, is bright enough to master the intricacies of national health-care policy, funny enough to trade quips with radio host Don Imus, and charming enough to sell his political views the way he once sold microwaves. With the endorsement of party elders ranging from former Sen. Jesse Helms to...

Almost half of North Carolinians think U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., is performing well in his position but do not support his decision to run for president in 2004, according to UNC's Carolina Poll. Experts say this anomaly could be a result of North Carolinians' desire to keep the senator in-state. The poll, conducted Sunday to Thursday last week by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, asked a random sample of N.C. residents how they rate the job Edwards is doing as a senator -- "excellent," "good," "only fair," or "poor." The poll comprised opinions of 615 people and...

http://www.david.crawford.org/

Tuesday was a massacre for the democrats. They had no message and the polling was horrible. I have always been skeptical about polls and it appears that most of the pre-election polls were off. So why did the republicans do so well? George Bush deserves much of the credit, but let's not forget about the great candidates we had. 90% od our candidates were experienced and did well in their debates. The democrats did have a message. It was "no" to whatever being asked. The get nothing done senate was another reason. No bills and no judges were coming out...

The ENEMY forged the stolen steel Delighted at the pain we would soon feel A hot branding iron to burn a 9 and 11 In the hearts of all righteous under Heaven The demons smiled and admired their work Then dedicated it with an unholy curse The plans were laid well, the deceptions intact With stooges called "martyrs" they began the attack They boarded the planes with thin, tight-lipped smiles Politely nodding to each small child - In a short time they’d know TERROR too real When their KILLERS captured the pilot’s wheel May the TWIN TOWERS of bright beacon...

The ENEMY forged the stolen steel Delighted at the pain we would soon feel A hot branding iron to burn a 9 and 11 In the hearts of all righteous under Heaven The demons smiled and admired their work Then dedicated it with an unholy curse The plans were laid well, the deceptions intact With stooges called "martyrs" they began the attack They boarded the planes with thin, tight-lipped smiles Politely nodding to each small child - In a short time they’d know TERROR too real When their KILLERS captured the pilot’s wheel May the TWIN TOWERS of bright beacon...

Illinois Governor 10/31/2002 Blagojevich (D) 53% Ryan (R) 39% Skinner (L) 4% Undecided/Other 4% Data Collected 10/28/02 - 10/30/02 Geography State of Illinois Universe 535 Likely Voters Margin of Error 4.3% Client WBBM-TV Chicago KSDK-TV St. Louis ----- Illinois U.S. Senate 10/31/2002 Durbin (D) 56% Durkin (R) 37% Burgauer (L) 3% Undecided/Other 4% Data Collected 10/28/02 - 10/30/02 Geography State of Illinois Universe 528 Likely Voters Margin of Error 4.3% Client WBBM-TV Chicago KSDK-TV St. Louis ----- Kentucky U.S. Senate 10/31/2002 McConnell(R) 66% Weinberg (D) 29% Undecided/Other 4% Data Collected 10/28/02 - 10/30/02 Geography State of Kentucky Universe 705 Likely...

Colorado U.S. Senate 10/24/2002 Allard (R) 48% Strickland (D) 46% Undecided/Other 6% Data Collected 10/21/02 - 10/23/02 Geography State of Colorado Universe 700 Likely Voters Margin of Error 3.8% Client KOAA-TV Colorado Springs KUSA-TV Denver ----- Illinois Governor 10/24/2002 Blagojevich (D) 52% Ryan (R) 40% Skinner (L) 4% Undecided/Other 4% Data Collected 10/21/02 - 10/23/02 Geography State of Illinois Universe 545 Likely Voters Margin of Error 4.3% Client WBBM-TV Chicago KSDK-TV St. Louis ----- Illinois U.S. Senate 10/24/2002 Durbin (D) 56% Durkin (R) 36% Burgauer (L) 3% Undecided/Other 5% Data Collected 10/21/02 - 10/23/02 Geography State of Illinois Universe 533...

Received this in my email box tonight http://www.rnc.org/flash/bushsavestheday.html

We are a little over two weeks away from the election. So I ask you the same question I asked myself. Who is going to win the battle for the senate? I have done extensive research and watched the trends for a while now, just like many of you. I finished a week ago a statistical analysis of voting trends in Georgia. Let me also state that most elections are referendums on the incumbents. Candidates have to expose the incumbent. Dole failed to do this in 1996. So here are my predictions. GA- Max Cleland is in trouble. Do not...

Grant, Miller Compete For NC's New Seat In Congress POSTED: 9:51 p.m. EDT October 20, 2002 RALEIGH, N.C. -- Brad Miller talks about his record on education and health insurance in the General Assembly. Carolyn Grant emphasizes her history operating small businesses and growing up on a Georgia farm. How their messages will translate on November 5th is largely a mystery in the first election for the 13th District, North Carolina's newest congressional seat. Miller, a Democratic state senator, says his legislative history and many endorsements are proof he can things done. Grant, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for mayor...

Jobs central to 8th District race By Andrew Barksdale Staff writer Chris Kouri, the Democratic nominee for the 8th Congressional District, is hammering at Rep. Robin Hayes' record on jobs and trade. Hayes, a Republican who wants a third term, has begun airing two television commercials promoting his work to bring more jobs to North Carolina and protect the textile industry. Challengers in races across the country are blaming incumbents for the poor economy. It's no different in the 8th District, which extends from Fayetteville to Charlotte. The region has lost thousands of jobs, mostly in textiles, in recent years...

<p>NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — President Bush yesterday hit fund-raisers in Georgia and Florida for embattled Republicans — including his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush — kicking off a money drive that will culminate with 14 straight days of campaigning before the Nov. 5 elections.</p>

Poll: Dole still leads Bowles October 16, 2002 By David Rice and Dana Damico JOURNAL RALEIGH BUREAU Democrat Erskine Bowles' ads on Social Security and economic issues have helped tighten the race for the U.S. Senate, but Republican Elizabeth Dole remains 10 percentage points ahead, with 50 percent support to Bowles' 40 percent in a new poll. "The attack ads are working some," said J. Bradford Coker, the managing director at Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., which conducted the poll. "But whenever you go negative, you run the risk of your own negatives going up. He had to do it,"...

    Monday, Oct 7, 2002 HAZE81° Print story Mail story Published on: 2002-10-06 ELECTION 2002 Poll: Hayes rising to top By Andrew BarksdaleStaff writer A poll taken by Democrats shows Republican Rep. Robin Hayes leading the 8th U.S. House District race by 12 percentage points. The survey of 501 likely voters said that 48 percent say they would vote for Hayes. Another 36 percent said they planned to vote for Democrat Chris Kouri. The rest were undecided. Despite Hayes' double-digit lead in the poll, Democrats found reason to be encouraged. Kim Rubey, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional...

Poll: Dole takes early lead over Bowles in Senate race Democrats see race tightening before Nov. 5 Associated Press RALEIGH - Republican Elizabeth Dole holds a strong lead over Democrat Erskine Bowles in the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jesse Helms, according to a new poll released Monday. The telephone poll of 625 registered voters who said they were likely to vote in November gave Dole 49 percent to Bowles' 35 percent with 15 percent undecided. The poll, taken by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. of Washington, D.C., was conducted last weekend following the primary elections...

<p>As the fall elections draw near, Republicans are turning to a secret weapon — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat.</p> <p>"Hit-Hillary commercials have already run in Texas, Tennessee and North Carolina. And in a fourth state, Montana, just taking money from Clinton's HILLPAC political action committee is sparking attacks on a Democratic senator," New York Post reporter Deborah Orin writes.</p>