bill faison

I can already tell I'm going to be sick to death of campaign ads this year. Bill Faison is the son of a veteran and a Sunday school teacher? As an actual veteran and newly converted atheist, I have a hard time getting too excited.

It all reminds me of the last gubernatorial cycle when the Asphalt King, Fred Smith, spent half his campaign talking about how he grew up in an orphanage. He never mentioned that his parents ran the freaking place. And that dead horse didn't carry him very far.

In any case, this commercial isn't going to hurt Bill Faison. Indeed, in a world of ignorant voters, it will actually help. Name recognition may be all that matters these days, and the only way you get that is to buy it. For informed voters like you, however, it's the opening salvo in what is likely to be a long, depressing election season.

Check it out, below the fold.

Poll results are in and the field is narrowed down for the races for Governor and Lt. Governor in North Carolina. While every name isn't included on the list, I included as many as I could and results were still fairly decisive.

Poll for Lt. Governor

Poll for Governor

A thread for news, comments, or questions about anything related to the governor's race.

While it seems like Erskine Bowles is the Dem establishment darling I'm looking for folks who will chart a new course.

I've liked Brad Miller for years and think he would have the moxie to take on the challenge in a progressive manner.

Bill Faison has been working hard on jobs policy and deserves a closer look.

And now former US Senate candidate Ken Lewis looks like he's considering a run.

He just tweeted the following:

Rapidly changing NC politics. With change there is opportunity for progress. Lots to think about. What do you think? Under the Dome

He certainly charted a different course in the Senate race, what do folks think of his chances?

And with Ken thinking about a run, does that mean other former US Senate candidate Jim Neal is far behind?

Glad someone besides us is doing it

President Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Thom Tillis are calling for a debate on tax policy and funding for education. Where have they been for these past five months?

@BillFaison live interview Occupy NC 4 pm today. link for ?s
ustream.tv/channel/occupy…

Link here

livestream

Oh brother.

Note: Original headline was Faison dials up the whining, which I have revisited upon request of dear readers.

I guess we now know who's paying for all this non-campaign activity.

State Rep. Bill Faison loaned his campaign account $500,000 as he continues to dodge the question of whether he will challenge Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue in a primary battle or seek another higher office. For months, Faison, an Orange County Democrat, has traveled the state meeting with Democrats and touting an economic plan that includes a sales tax hike -- spark speculation that he would seek higher office.

Amid Perdue's campaign troubles, Faison also questioned whether she was best suited to represent the party. At an event Wednesday morning, he distributed a six-page memo that appeared much like a campaign platform. Faison said the money would go to support Democrats, but he refused to provide specifics. "I think it's important to show a commitment to the process. And to win back the legislature and keep the governor's office blue," he later told Dome.

Amid Perdue's campaign troubles? Sounds like just a teensy bit of water-carrying from the new guy at the N&O. According to the Faison non-campaign, Perdue hasn't even declared her intentions, let alone begun campaigning.

The plot sickens.

A slow news day at the Charlotte Observer, a fresh dip into this fetid pool.

In a recent interview, Faison said there was no need to challenge Perdue, because he believed she would not file for re-election. It is the sort of whistling-past-the-graveyard assertion he has made frequently in recent weeks. The Perdue campaign laughs off the assertion as nearly delusional. But Faison is unfazed by such denials.

"It doesn't look to me like a serious and dedicated run for governor, and I think in the end she will decide not to do that," Faison said.

To which our friend Gary Pearce had this to say:

Bill Faison
North Carolina House of Representatives
Representative District 50 – Caswell & Orange Counties
300 N. Salisbury Street – Room 405
Legislative Office Building Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 (919) 715-3019 Fax: (919) 832-6362 Bill.Faison@ncleg.net

Raleigh, November 30, 2011 – The NC General Assembly spent another $150,000 on a three-day “mini” Special Session and achieved nothing at all worthwhile for the people of NC. Their plan is to spend $1.1 million in total on similar Special Sessions spread from July of 2011 through April of 2012. They continue to focus on radical social issues, not jobs or the economy.