ONE-STOP VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW
One-stop voting begins on Thursday, October 16 and ends on November 1, 2008. Use the link below to search for the One-Stop Voting Sites in your county. Any questions about these sites or the times that they are open should be directed toward your county’s Board of Elections office.
Click here for the list of One-Stop Voting Locations throughout the state…
PAT McCRORY ENDORSED BY FOUR MAJOR NEWSPAPERS THIS WEEK
FOR GOVERNOR, MCCRORY’S ACHIEVEMENTS GIVE HIM THE EDGE
Asheville Citizen-Times
…As mayor, McCrory led in the development of a 25-year land use, transportation and infrastructure plan for Charlotte, which is now in its 13th year. He used the bully pulpit of the mayor's office to fight for sidewalks, bike paths and a strong tree ordinance. He increased the bus line by 80 percent and implemented a light rail line. Thanks in part to these efforts, in 2000, Charlotte was one of only four cities to be distinguished as a “most livable city” by Partners for Livable Communities. In 2005, Money Magazine listed the city among its Top 3 Best Places to Live and it was named one of the 20 Cleanest Cities in America by Readers Digest.
During his tenure as mayor, McCrory has also distinguished himself in the areas of public safety and economic development….
We recommend McCrory because we feel he is best prepared to lead the state through the period of significant growth it is and is expected to continue to experience….
ELECTION ’08: GOVERNOR
Winston-Salem Journal
…Of the three, McCrory stands out as most likely to do great things for this state. Life in Raleigh has been tough for our only two Republican governors. Just ask Jim Martin and Jim Holshouser. But we believe that McCrory has the managerial skill and the record of success working with Democrats to help him hurdle those political problems. Pat McCrory promises to be a charismatic leader and a progressive governor for this state. The Journal endorses him enthusiastically.
EDITOIRAL ENDORSEMENT: MCCRORY FOR GOVERNOR
Greensboro News & Record
…Pat McCrory's stump speeches and debate performances make a good case for his candidacy. But his record as the longest-serving mayor of North Carolina's largest city makes an even better one….
McCrory is willing to step forward and defend his positions. Even as Perdue chose not to take part, he debated the issues last week in a televised forum with Libertarian candidate Mike Munger, 50, chairman of Duke University's political science department. This was the second time Perdue bypassed a debate with her two opponents….
But the governor is rarely a cultural warrior in North Carolina, nor should he be one. McCrory's skills and experience are best suited to provide what Raleigh needs most right now: a broad view, a clear plan and an ambitious vision.
WE RECOMMEND MCCRORY FOR GOVERNOR
Charlotte Observer
…McCrory would bring an urgently needed energy to the office. While we don't agree with him on every issue, he knows where he stands on most aspects of state government and why he stands there. He's too sure, sometimes, that his position is right, but that certitude is preferable to Perdue's tendency to base her stands on what she believes is politically expedient….
But we detect no core compass within her. She speaks in platitudes, not specifics. She often appears governed by polls, changing her stance, for instance, on oil drilling and refusing to lead on the issue of illegal immigration. On immigration, Perdue seems not to understand either the law or the reality, and doesn't explain a rational basis for her position, giving the impression it's simple political convenience.
McCrory's success will depend in large measure on his willingness to seek wise counsel, study the issues without political blinders and make independent decisions. He has done so in some, though regrettably not all, cases as Charlotte mayor, taking the right course even when it brought some heat. That's more appropriate to the kind of leadership North Carolina needs.
Click here to read each of the full endorsements…
McCAIN VOWS TO BE AMERICA’S ‘FIGHTER’
By Rob Christensen and Ryan Teague Beckwith
News & Observer
October 14, 2008
WILMINGTON - Sen. John McCain, conceding he is behind in the presidential race, cast himself Monday as the fighter America needs to face its enemies abroad and to restore the economy at home.
"The national media has written us off," McCain told 2,500 people at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. "Senator Obama is measuring the drapes.
"But they forgot to let you decide. Friends, we got them just where we want them. What America needs in this hour is a fighter."
McCain drew several contrasts between himself and Obama: experience versus inexperience; fiscal restraint versus high taxes and increased spending; and withdrawal from Iraq "with honor" rather than a precipitous withdrawal.
McCain advisers said the Arizona senator was retooling his message to feature more "straight talk" about the economy.
"These are hard times," McCain said. "Our economy is in crisis. Our savings are in danger. Our retirement is at risk. Jobs are disappearing. The cost of health care, of children's college, and gasoline are rising all the time."
"The next president won't have time to get used to the office. We will have to act immediately and to do that we will need experience, courage and judgment, and a bold plan to take this country in a new direction."
McCain compared Obama with President Herbert Hoover, who was in office when the country went into the Great Depression in 1929. He said Obama's proposal to raises taxes would be the wrong remedy for an economy in decline. (Obama has said he would raise taxes only on those who make more than $250,000 per year and would reduce taxes on the middle class.)
"The last president to raise taxes and restrict as Senator Obama proposes was Herbert Hoover," McCain said. "They say that those who won't learn the lessons from history are doomed to repeat them."…
Click here for the full article…
DOLE TOUTS HER SUCCESS FOR N.C.
By Suzi Carter
Richmond County Daily Journal
October 14, 2008
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole was “surrounded by friends” at a campaign gathering with the Richmond County Republican Party Tuesday at Ellerbe Springs Inn and Restaurant.
Party members and some undecided voters gathered to meet the senator, who arrived to a round of applause. Party Chair Teressa Beavers introduced Dole.
“We need strong women in the public arena and we need to send Sen. Dole back to Washington,” Beavers said. “She’s served under five presidents and she’s done a great job for North Carolina.”…
“The beauty of North Carolina is something to be proud of,” Dole said. “I’ve already been in our 100 counties and I’ve been to many of them many, many times.”
The tobacco quota buyout was top on Dole’s list of accomplishments. The buyout brought in $4 billion to North Carolina’s economy.
“The buyout allows people to retire, pay their debts, grow another cash crop or continue growing leaf,” Dole said. “We got that done by getting votes. How many senators know about tobacco? We go after people one-by-one in the Senate to get their votes.”
Speaking to the concerns of Richmond County, Dole also brought up textiles and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
“The recent economic transition made things quite tough for this state and every trade agreement that is presented, I look at it and ask, ‘How will this affect North Carolina?’” she said. “I want to double the funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and make it available to every textile worker who has lost a job. What that does is gives people the opportunity to get training to work in today’s workforce.”
Dole also described some of the work she has done on the Senate Armed Services, Banking, Aging and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees.
“I work on committees that matter to North Carolina,” she said. “And Rep. Robin Hayes and I have worked together on many things. We worked together on base closing rounds ... And brought 9,000 additional jobs to Fort Bragg.”
As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Dole said that she worked on legislation to “reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac” as early as 2003. The legislation would have placed a regulator over the two mortgage companies.
“It is infuriating to me that all of this could have been prevented if they had just listened,” she said about opposition from Democrats who blocked the legislation….
“This is a time to pull out all the stops and we’re going to win this,” Dole said. “You’re doing something bigger than yourselves, bigger than me or Robin Hayes, when you get involved in the election because this is an important time for our country ... Sure things get tough, yet as I recall, in the Bible it says to face adversity so we’re not going to give up."
Click here for the full article…
PAT McCRORY'S “FUTURE” AD
Click here to view the video…
GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE TONIGHT
Tonight at 7 p.m. is the final gubernatorial debate for this election.
Please read the below information to see where you can view the debate tonight at 7pm:
Stations Broadcasting the Debate on October 15th, 7-8pm
**North Carolina News Network, a statewide radio network, is offering 75 radio
affiliates across the state to take the debate.
** Also, live streaming online at www.wsoctv.com
Statewide
UNC-TV, Air on 10/19 @ 1pm
Charlotte
WAXN-TV, Live
WCCB, Fox 18, Live
WSOC-TV, Live
WTVI, Live
Triad
WGHP, Fox 8, Live
Greenville
WNCT, Using parts later in eve/next day
Triangle
WRAL-TV, Live
WUNC-FM, Live
WPTF-AM (680AM), Live
