Alan_H's Blog

I promised awhile back to focus more on statewide and local races, but it's been awfully tempting to weigh in on the presidential primary. (especially when Hillary Clinton calls Barack Obama 'an elitist').  I'll write about the presidential race later this week.

I was disappointed to hear Kay Hagan's decision April 11 not to debate fellow democratic candidates who hope to challenge incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole this fall.  Challenger Jim Neal wasted little time in attacking Hagan's decision.  As a side not, Neal's campaign responds to any news (and its appropriate spin) in quick fashion.  Last week, WTVD-TV released poll results showing virtually no change in the race in the past 60 days:  Hagan and Neal were in a statistical dead heat (21-20 percent with a 3 percent margin of error).  The news release failed to mention both candidates trailed 'undecided' by 20 points.

High undecideds show neither Hagan, Neal, Duskin Lassiter, Marcus Williams or Howard Staley are making much of an impression on likely voters.  Once we get through the primary, this race will heat up considerably, because national democrats believe Sen. Dole is vulnerable.  The president and governor races will be the hottest, with this race likely running third in impact (the combination of buzz, TV ads and shouting heads).

Up next, the race for governor ... and a few thoughts on the prez primary.