FROM THE NCGOP PRESSROOM:
MAVERICK CHOOSES MAVERICK AS RUNNING MATE
RALEIGH—With John McCain's announcement today of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his vice presidential running mate, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Linda Daves made the following statement.
Chairman Linda Daves made the following statement:
"With his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate, John McCain has demonstrated once again his commitment to putting country first and his determination to shake up the status quo in Washington. Sarah Palin not only brings executive experience to the ticket, she brings true credentials of reform. In her impressive tenure as Governor, Palin has shown leadership in her stands against ethics violations and against wasteful spending. She has shown vision for promoting alternative and domestic energy sources in Alaska. In addition, as the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin bring a unique perspective to leading our nation and supporting our troops.
Like John McCain, Sarah Palin not only talks about change, she has a long record of producing results. With this pick, John McCain signals that it is time to write a new book in Washington and Governor Palin will serve as a perfect co-author for a new American story. North Carolina Republicans are proud to be represented by these two visionary leaders and look forward with excitement to electing them this fall."
BURR WORKS HARD – IN BACKGROUND
Barbara Barrett
News & Observer
September 2, 2008
ST. PAUL, MINN. - U.S. Sen. Richard Burr had his big moment in the Republican National Convention spotlight Monday afternoon, but the nation's eyes were turned elsewhere.
Burr spoke for about three minutes to rowdy cheering from his home-state delegation, just as the nation's attention and most of the media were turned elsewhere -- to the events on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
So it goes for Burr, considered a smart, hard-working policy wonk by colleagues and yet relatively unknown outside his home state of North Carolina or insider GOP circles.
He's been with John McCain since the early days. Still, he wasn't rewarded with a prime-time speaking slot at this week's convention or a short-list shot at the vice presidency.
Instead, Burr was named in May to be a co-chairman of the GOP platform committee, a deep-in-the-weeds role that meant long hours, back-room diplomacy and very little glamour. It would be his job to help shepherd the document laying out Republican principles without letting controversy leak into the press.
He was working hard at that job Monday when he told the convention: "Before you is the most principled and forward-looking Republican platform in history."
Burr said that this year's GOP is welcoming to Libertarians, Democrats, conservatives, moderates and even liberals.
"We have cohesive principles," he said. "This platform is a testament to the American spirit."
Trust from the top
Even though co-chairman of the platform committee is a role that offers no glitz, political observers say it signals McCain's and other Republican leaders' overwhelming trust in North Carolina's junior senator.
"It's an important honor," said Darrell West, vice president and director of governance at the Brookings Institute. "It means [Burr] is trusted with sensitive party issues."
This convention could still be Burr's biggest chance yet for national exposure. The freshman senator counts McCain as a close friend, and he was among the Arizona senator's early supporters, endorsing him in March 2007. Burr stuck with the candidate as McCain's campaign crumbled last summer.
Throughout last year, he stumped for McCain across the country, traveling to Iowa, then standing in snowy New Hampshire -- sockless in his brown loafers -- to talk up McCain outside polls.
It's the kind of loyalty that attracts attention in the insular, chummy world of the Senate. With Burr's relative youth -- he is 52 -- and ability to work well with others, many say he could have a strong future in the party.
"It's open-ended," said Newt Gingrich, former House Speaker, who talked with Burr several times about ideas for the platform. "He's a great national talent, very smart, personable, open-minded, and that goes a long way in national politics."
"If you want flash, go see Obama," said state Sen. Tom Apodaca of Hendersonville. Burr, he said, "is very well thought of. I definitely think he's an up-and-comer."…
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NC DELEGATE, OTHER TEENS ADD YOUTH TO GRAND OLE PARTY
WRAL
September 2, 2008
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Political analysts have said the outcome of the presidential election in November could depend on voter turnout among two groups: minorities and young voters. Although those groups tend to vote Democratic, the Republican Party is working to win them over.
The Grand Old Party, the party of Lincoln and Reagan, is seen by many as just that – old. Making 72-year-old John McCain the oldest first-term presidential nominee in U.S. history doesn't alter that image.
But Nelia Hamby sees a streak of youthful excitement in the Republican Party. The 18-year-old from Kannapolis is the youngest North Carolina delegate at the national convention this week and could be the state's youngest delegate in history.
"The Republican Party isn't just a whole bunch of old, stuffy people. There is youth and vibrance in the Republican Party too because we are the next generation," said Hamby, who noted she is inspired by McCain's vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and all she's accomplished in her public life….
"A lot of my classmates and I will be voting on Nov. 4," said Lauren Hadley, a senior at Ravenscroft School. "I think it's important that they take an interest in this, and a lot of them aren't taking it very seriously. They're either voting Republican because that's what their parents are, or they're voting (for Democratic nominee Barack) Obama because they want change."…
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MCCRORY STUMPS IN ONSLOW
Suzanne Ulrich
Jacksonville Daily News
August 30, 2008
Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory made a jam-packed campaign swing through Onslow County on Friday, saying he believes state officials need to get out more often to see what's going on in North Carolina….
"The customers of North Carolina are being ignored and they deserve better. My job is to listen...," he said.
McCrory faces Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, a former state senator from New Bern, and a familiar presence in Onslow County, in the Nov. 4 general election.
Some of the Onslow residents he encountered at Hilda's on Friday came away impressed.
Sneads Ferry resident Andy Canady said McCrory reminds him of another Republican from Mecklenburg County, former Gov. Jim Martin.
"One of the things I admire about (McCrory) is he put in a rail system in Charlotte," Canady said. "At first it wasn't looked upon very favorably by many, he was criticized for the expenditure and other things.... Now, with gas prices, there isn't a vacant seat on it," he said. "He looks ahead, he's progressive."
Dr. John Dudley of Hubert agreed with McCrory that the state capital needs a culture change, and he spoke favorably about the GOP candidate's experience as Charlotte mayor.
McCrory has served seven terms at mayor of Charlotte. He also serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Commission….
McCrory said state government is not doing enough work to develop technology for water and sewer needs. He said this area will need new technologies to help with the growth of Camp Lejeune, and to attract industry, jobs and people into the area.
"I am so impressed with your town," he said. "But you need a governor that understands your problems - resources are second to none.... You need to have proper water and sewer and other infrastructure. State government is not working on the new technology which would help provide you with the pressures of the military base expansions."
McCrory said an improved infrastructure would help Onslow County diversify its economy. "Attracting other industry would provide jobs and attract other people besides the base to move to the area and that will help with property taxes," he said.
Monk Walton of Sneads Ferry said water and sewer service is an important issue to the residents in his area.
"What he said about water and sewer is really important, particularly for the Sneads Ferry area - it's one of the things we need that we don't have and it's keeping us from developing and growing," Walton said.
In a visit to The Daily News offices, McCrory said he was ready to take on the challenges facing the eastern region of the state. "I firmly believe there is some excellent opportunity to rebuild the economy in the East, especially with offshore drilling and getting people involved in the energy business," he said.
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GOLD MEDAL
