Vouchers and the Governor's Race

I note Public Policy Polling has picked up on the recent Civitas Decision Maker Poll, and has commented that it would be a bad move for Pat McCrory to make vouchers an issue in the election.

Here is a video I recorded during the March Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate where vouchers were addressed by the candidates:



I agree with Bob Orr's answer with the caveat that Republicans have allowed the left to own the media, so that the Republican message cannot get out undistorted.

Does Beverly Purdue Hate Western North Carolina?

COUNTY NC NEWS -- The North Carolina Association of Broadcasters has been forced to cancel their gubernatorial debate, which they were planning to sponsor in Asheville on July 20, 2008. The cause? Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue still refuses to participate. Like a highway construction sign blinking "Expect Delays," Perdue has already declined forums at WNCN-TV, the Triad Today show, and two statewide debates on UNC-TV, all without explanation.

Responding to the cancellation, the Elect Pat McCrory for Governor Campaign Manager, Richard Hudson said:

"Apparently, Lt. Gov. Perdue thinks she is above being responsive and accountable to the very people she hopes to represent as governor. The culture of arrogance and inaccessibility that permeates from Raleigh politicians like Perdue is unacceptable. North Carolina deserves a governor who will be accessible to the people and openly discuss his or her positions on the issues that affect our state."

"Pat McCrory has been calling for debates across North Carolina for months and is disappointed that Sunday's event has been cancelled. He once again renews his call for the lieutenant governor to move beyond formal, structured speeches and allow the voters to hear a real discussion on the issues."

Source: NC County News (Read the whole thing over there)

Pat McCrory in Mars Hill

This is a short preview clip just before Pat speaks. Full video will be at the Buncombe GOP website & also on URTV Public Access TV in both Buncombe & Madison Counties.

A DVD will be available for $12 each, with half the proceeds going to the Buncombe GOP, and the other half to the Madison GOP. Contact the Producer for more details.

The producer, Richard Bernier, has a TV Show called Sound Off Buncombe that airs on Charter Cable 20 in Buncombe and Madison Counties.

Preview: Pat McCrory In Hendersonville

Here is a ten-minute preview of Pat McCrory speaking in Hendersonville, North Carolina:

The full hour should be up in a few days.
Videographer was Richard Bernier.

Pat McCrory: Drummer for Queen?

Republican Candidate for North Carolina Governor drums to a Queen song.

Not Just Another Limo Driver

I found a good recounting of the visit by President Bush to help raise funds for Mayor McCrory's bid to become Governor from an unusual point of view...from a driver in the motorcade. An excerpt:

On Friday, June 20th, 2008 President George W. Bush visited North Carolina for a fundraiser for Charlotte Mayor, and candidate for North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. I had the honor and privilege of serving as a driver in President Bush's motorcade. I drove the staff support vehicle - fifth in line to the President's limousine.

When I first got the call offering me this opportunity, I thought it was a joke. I always assumed they had people for this. Well, as it turns out, the White House sometimes allows individuals associated with the organization or candidate the President is coming into town to visit the opportunity to participate in the motorcade as a "thank you".

Source: Cary Politics

Go check the story out. You get to see a side of the President's visit few are privy to these days.

Candidate Debate Forums in Atlantic Beach, NC

Candidates for NC Governor and US Senate participated in a forum in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina that was sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association this past weekend.

Republican Candidate Pat McCrory faced Democrat Candidate Lt. Governor Bev Purdue in the Governor's race.

Here are the videos:

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

In the second portion, Democrat Candidate Kay Hagan faced US Senator Liddy Dole in the US Senate race.

The videos:

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

I thought that McCrory and Hagan seemed more poised and confident than their opponents, and was disappointed by the lack of coverage of the event.

Were their no bloggers at the event? I have downloaded the video, and will chop it up for the most interesting parts for later.

YMI Cultural Center Gubernatorial Debate Clip

The last of the Gubernatorial debates took place last night at the YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, NC and Richard Bernier of URTV's Sound Off Buncombe was there to capture the action. Here is a short preview clip of the program he expects to have ready sometime this weekend:

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "Healthcare Issues"

The videos were posted in reverse order, so this last question asked by Russ Bowen of WLOS-TV is first in order. He posed a question of Bill Graham about Mental Health Reform in North Carolina, and the other candidates took the opportunity to address general health care issues in the state:

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "Mass Transit and NC DOT Funding"

Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Tribune poses a question to Pat McCrory regarding Light Rail and NC DOT Funding.

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "Agriculture"

Larry Freeman of WHKP-AM asks the candidates to address Agricultural concerns in North Carolina:

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "About The Lottery"

This question was posed by James Shea of the Hendersonville News-Times about the North Carolina "Education" Lottery.
(Emphasis mine).

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "More at Four"

A question from Larry freeman of WHKP-AM to the candidates running for the GOP nomination for North Carolina Governor about the More at Four program and education in the state:

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "Gas Prices and the Highway Trust Fund Transfers"

This question comes from Bill Fishburne of The Hendersonville Tribune:

Hendersonville Gubernatorial Debate "Gun Rights"

This question was posed by James Shea of the Hendersonville Times-News on carrying handguns in National Parks and on Schhool Property:

Hendersonville Primary Debate "Home Rule"

The next question was posed by Russ Bowen of WLOS-TV:

GOP Primary Debate: "School Vouchers"

Not all my video is usable due to bad camera angles, so I'll just be posting a few of the questions from the debate yesterday in Henderson County.

The first one is a question posed by Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Tribune about School Vouchers:

NCGOP Gov Debate in Hendersonville

The debate is scheduled to start at 8am in the morning (8am! Noooo!)


I will leave Franklin at 5ish, drop my riders off at WCU in Cullowhee at 6ish, and outsmart every NCHP unit between there and Hendersonville and hope to get there before 8am.

This is my game plan:



Plan A) Webstream Player goes here.
Plan B) My live-blogging of events goes here.
Plan C) I'll have something here by 4pm.
Plan D) Avenge me!