North Carolina’s Shuler Now Rated ‘Safe’ in House Race (Opponent suspends campaign)

[brooklynite]

Source: Congressional Quarterly

With a broke and inactive nominee, Republican hopes of winning back North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District seat from freshman Democratic Heath Shuler are essentially gone, leading CQ Politics to change its rating of the race to Safe Democrat from Democrat Favored.

The Republican establishment has struggled with Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower since he won the May 6 primary. And, the relationship significantly deteriorated on Saturday when Mumpower announced that — in defense of his Republican principles — he was suspending his campaign.

“Effective immediately, my campaign is suspended as I appeal to my party to make a firm commitment to our core principles,” he said in a letter to the chair of the 11th District GOP. He outlined criteria for “reigniting his campaign,” which included a demand that the majority of counties in the 11th District “develop a sincere process for challenging local, state and national Republican elected officials on votes that sidestep or otherwise betray our core guiding principles.”

Mumpower’s second quarter campaign finance reports indicated he had less than $1,000 left in his campaign coffers by June 30 to run for the general election, out of $69,000 raised total. Shuler reported he had $965,000 on hand by the same date out of $1.3 million raised.

Read more: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002918742

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434 to go...

[Jefferson23]

1. which core principles, war and torture?

[cstanleytech]

7. OHhhhh so easy to make jokes about the republicans when

you consider all the things they "claimed" to be for like morality and the constitution, those things flew out of the window at warp 10 of course as soon as the republicans siezed power. LOL
Anyway, I am having fun watching them squirm.

[damntexdem]

17. Judging by the current status, it's that other GOP core principle: bankruptcy!

[MadAnne]

44. Mumpower thinks Bush should be impeached. n/t

[izquierdista]

2. How sad for Carl!

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[struggle4progress]

3. Chainsaw Charlie's gone gone gone!

:D

[countmyvote4real]

4. I guess Heath Shuler really is the better Republican.

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/search?q=shuler

There is nothing to celebrate here.

[Spiffarino]

6. Shuler isn't even Republican-Lite

He's Republican minus the anti-labor sentiments. His pro-labor stance is the only thing about him that's anything like a Democrat.

[Endangered Specie]

8. If you had any idea of the district he represents, youd understand...

its called politics, and there is no way anyone more progressive would win there.... you want to win right?

[Birdiesmom]

15. What good does it do to win

when the guy votes Republican most of the time?

[LynneSin]

20. What good does a more liberal candidate do if they can't win....

...in a district that is filled with rural, conservative voters.

You assume that just because a district sends a democrat that they'd be happier with someone as liberal as Russ Feingold or Ted Kennedy level?

Shuler wins because he fits what that district needs.

[Endangered Specie]

23. Better than someone who will vote republican ALL the time

plus he counts as a dem when it comes to determining a majority, in the House the minority basically can't do shit...

so, do you want to WIN or LOSE? its as simple as that.

[Spiffarino]

41. I LIVE in Shuler's district, thank-you-very-much.

I know exactly what kind of politician this place can tolerate. There is NO excuse for his stance on FISA. People in the 11th would like very much for the government to stay out of their business. It was a perfect issue for him to fight on. Instead, he joined up with the Blue Dogs and sucked at the AT&Teat.

Fuck him.

[MadAnne]

45. Hi Neighbor! I agree. n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. A Republican who votes with the Democrats 86.3% of the time?

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s001171/

Doesn't sound like a very good Republican to me.

[Birdiesmom]

16. Depends on the issue

On important stuff, like destroying the Constitution, he's GOP all the way.

[LynneSin]

18. Well we have alot of democrats like that...

and if we start tossing them all out of office we give Congress back to the Republicans.

I don't know much about Schuler's district but rumor has it, it's pretty rural and republican heavy like PA-10 up in North Central PA.

Chris Carney won that election because of one reason and one reason only - his opponent, incumbant Don Sherwood, was caught beating his mistress. That's not something that goes over well with a deeply religious, conservative district like PA-10.

Chris Carney seat is listed as a toss-up but what keeps Chris competitive is the fact that he is a moderate and appeals to the voters of PA-10 for many issues not normally considered 'progressive'. But the thing is, a more liberal candidate would lose that district because it is heavily republican.

If Chris Carney and Heath Schuler are what we need to hold on to some of these rural districts, then so be it. I would rather have these 2 in the house than what their options would be, which with these districts would be a republican.

[Endangered Specie]

26. and you can rest assured that the republicans from the district

are far worse than the most DINO democrat, they are the ones the freepers circle jerk over.

[Spiffarino]

5. Mumpower was against the FISA bill

Blue Dog Shuler favored it. Mump's a dick and I wouldn't vote for him, but Shuler isn't any better. DINO all the way.

[SquireJons]

9. Not only that, but he was the worst pro quarterback EVER!

But I'm glad he's a Democrat in congress. It will take baby steps to make inroads in the Southn and Heath is just the first of many, I hope.

[KamaAina]

22. Nope. Ryan Leaf was worse.

But he never went into politics.

[Spiffarino]

39. Without a doubt.

At least Shuler didn't act like a total jerk when he sucked like Leaf did. Shuler just sucked calmly and took their money.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. Did Schuler vote for a Democrat for Speaker? Would Mumpower have done the same?

:shrug:

[Spiffarino]

40. OK, there are TWO things...

...that make him less Republican.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Another win for the Blue Dogs!

http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/Member%20Page.html

[salib]

13. Sounds like the "Handlers" behind the RNC and DLC don't have to run a Repug

They have a perfectly good DINO.

[Endangered Specie]

25. How is he DINO?

He certainly isnt the most liberal democrat to have lived, but all in all:
http://shuler.house.gov/content/issues/

"ENVIRONMENT

Being raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina I spent much of my time outdoors, camping, hunting, and fishing. Through these experiences I gained a deep appreciation and a great respect for our environment. Now, as a member of the House of Representatives, I am working hard to make certain that future generations have a safe, clean, and sustainable environment. As a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, I have been a strong supporter of initiatives to reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuels, protect our National Parks and Forests, and reduce global warming emissions. There is an old Cherokee saying that guides my beliefs on the environment: we do not receive the Earth from the previous generation, we are borrowing it form the next generation.

National Lands:

Over the last several years the Bush Administration has proposed selling off hundreds of thousands of National Forests. These National Forests are really national treasures. North Carolina alone would have lost 5,685 acres of National Forest. I joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight this senseless sale, and we were successful.

Energy Policy

Ensuring America’s energy independence is one of the most important and pressing issues facing our Nation. America must lead the world in the use, development, and production of renewable energies to reduce global warming and end our reliance on foreign oil. We can no longer afford to depend solely on fossil fuels, like petroleum, to drive our economy and generate our energy. Our Nation’s energy policy must be focused on securing our long-term energy future and being good stewards of God’s creation, not protecting the profits of Big Oil companies. Our path to energy independence is efficiency, innovation and ingenuity -- not more drilling. I have been working diligently with my colleagues in Congress to achieve that goal."

"Head Start:

A strong education requires a solid foundation. For many families in Western North Carolina the only opportunity for that educational foundation comes from the federal government’s Head Start program. Started under President Lyndon Johnson, the Head Start program has provided millions of American children a foundation in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

As a proud product of the Head Start program in Swain County, I know first hand the benefits that the program provides"

[tpsbmam]

34. He has some good votes and stances to be sure BUT.....

Against a woman's right to choose.
Against stem cell research.
Voted for FISA Amendment Act of 2008.

The FISA votes really piss me off (Obama included). The stem cell & choice votes really piss me off.

BUT.....

He does have some good votes in other areas. I can't really support him because of some big differences with his positions on issues important to me but I will vote for him. Doesn't really seem to be an issue at this point since Mumpower's campaign has gone kaput.

[Birdiesmom]

14. Now we need to get a primary challenger

to get this asshole out of office.

[LynneSin]

19. You get a primary challenger and you give the seat back to the republicans

I don't have an issue with a primary challenge, but I hardly doubt they'd have a chance against Shuler. If you read my post above Shular has the same type of district like PA-10 (a district I'm much more familiar with since I have family there).

These 2 districts have alot of rural area in them and filled with conservative voters. YOu mentioned earlier about Shular being pro-labor, which is an important value for many of these districts. I know the union is strong in PA-10.

I will say this much for PA-10 and Chris Carney, who would bring the same type of ire from you. Any other democrat running in the general election would give the seat back to the republicans ESPECIALLY a more progressive/liberal one.

Remember, Shuler & Carney only need to represent the people in their district, not you or I. If Shuler's seat is now safe then that means we have the right person in there doing the job ESPECIALLY knowing that the seat is in the middle of a strong republican district.

[depakid]

27. "represent the people in their district"

And you think far right enabling and voting does that?

Frankly, I'd rather have a Republican in that seat than to have to watch the party continue to be diluted with "not a dimes worth of difference" type folks. In the long run, that's what's cost the Democrats o many elections- and why they (indeed all of us) are consistently losers in the policy arena.

[LynneSin]

28. So you'd rather have a republican who will vote 100% against us than an 86.3% democrat who w/ us!

Now that's what I called really fucked up thinking.

I mean yeah, the Shulers & Carneys are going get it wrong 10-20% of the time and on some very serious issues. But hell they may get it right 80% of the time which is alot better than any of the previous republicans who have held those seats like Chuck Tayler (NC-11) and Don Sherwood (PA-10).

You really need to re-think what you're saying there because there is absol-fucking-lutely no reason why I would prefer a republican in ANY seat out there over a democrat. And I have one of the most moderate pro-choice, pro-environment republicans out there representing me and I'd STILL take a democrat over him.

Here's the thing, ultimately it gets down to wanting to keep the majority. Yeah, Pelosi kinda sucks but she's still better than the Hasserts & Gingrich of olden days. You give away too many bad democrat seats and ultimately we'll end up with Republicans in control. There is absolutely no reason for that whatsoever.

Like I said, NC-11 and PA-10 are two very rural areas with strong conservative christian voting. If folks like Shuler and Carney aren't in those seats then it will be republicans. Now I don't know what Carney's 'votes with the democrats' rating is but someone up above mentioned that Shuler is 86.3%. That's good enough for me.

What we SHOULD be doing is looking at democrat seats in districts that are strong democratic bases and make sure THOSE candidates are the most progressive we can find. Stop worrying about a moderate democrat seat in a highly conservative rural area. Heath is fine. There are better targets we can battle over.

[depakid]

30. I certainly would

In the long term, it's much better for the Dems to stand in stark contrast with failed policies than to be (rightly) considered to be a part of them....

If we'd had that sort of strategic thinking years ago- rather than pandering to the far right, not only would we have won (or at least be perceived to have FOUGHT) for traditional Democratic values and rational policy- but it would be much more difficult to say "there's not a dimes' worth of difference" between the parties.

And sadly, due to folks like this- on all too many issues- there isn't.

[LynneSin]

31. So you don't think the moderates of these districts deserve the representation they want

I mean fuck them, who the hell are these people anyways. :grr:

I remember 20 years ago where people actually represented the people who elected them and candidates wouldn't be lockstep 100% with the party the aligned with. It's a shame you have so little respect for these people who live in these districts and what THEY want. Because ultimately that's who is most important to the Shulers and Carneys in this party.

And the thing is that you so stupidly overlook is that the Shulers & Carneys out there help bridge our party to get more democrats in statewide and national elections in office. If we can get this rural western NC county to vote democrat and realize we are a part of individuals NOT clones, then perhaps we can start bringing the rural votes back into the party - get Democrats replacing Liddy Dole in the Senate or vote for Obama.

We need these people whether you like it or not. And if I'm to be a party of clones then I'd rather not be a democrat. Republicans do that to their party and I don't want it for mine.

[depakid]

32. I don't buy into shallow framing and pigeonholing

labels like "moderates" or "liberals" are meaningless. Policy choices- RATIONAL ones- not craven, corrupt or cowardly ones are what counts.

Had Democrats maintained their traditional values and not- say, engaged in what everyone can see now (and what an informed person could see then) were INSANE deregualtory policies on everything from energy to the financial industry (not to mention a treasury busting war)- we wouldn't be in the situation we're in now AND the Dems would have clean hands.

Instead, they bought into stupid framing and corporate money to the detriment of EVERYONE involved.

Even people like you, who apparently believe that sort of shortsighted and dysfunctional behavior is just fine, provided one resides in some Southern state.

Frankly, it would be a whole lot better to not have to deal with these folks in our own party while crafting legislation. Better to have them among the nominal opposition, where they can ply their wares among like kind- and have their far right ideas treated as such.

Which, btw, is how it's done in most every other western nation under parliamentary systems.

[LynneSin]

33. Yeah, I see you really don't read the stuff I post OR know your geography

You ignorance is showing. Last time I checked PA-10 is a northern state and I believe I've mentioned that MANY times in this thread along with NC-11

I'm so glad idiots like you don't run our party because you would do everything in your power to chase out anyone who doesn't think lockstep 100% with you. And your Don Quixote form of thinking would leave very little left in this party and a very very long republican control. And it was the Chris Carneys & Heath Shulers that helped us get back the house. Sure, it's not been the best 2 years under Pelosi but the fact that people like Waxman & Conyers were given committee chairs makes it all worth it. I still believe in the big tent and I still believe that places like Northcentral PA and western North Carolina deserve the representation THEY want and not have Armchair QB Forum jockeys decides what is best.

[Mudoria]

35. Well said!

[LynneSin]

36. any chance you from NC-11

and thank you for those kind words.

I would take 86% Democrat Heath Shuler any day as my representative over what I have now (although my representative Mike Castle is pretty moderate for a republican).

I keep thinking people like Heath Shuler & Chris Carney reach out to voters who in the past my have voted republican for senator/governor & president. If Heath Shuler can win over the voters of a very rural, christian conservative district like NC-11 then perhaps he can get these people to realize that voting democrat is a good thing. Maybe help get Liddy Dole out of office or Obama in office!

[Endangered Specie]

43. I believe Republicans have already lost some really rural areas to dems

in special elections this/last year, like LA-01 (or 06) and MS-01. You know good and well these Dems are bluedogs, but it sure beats who they replaced.

I really hope the DSCC helps Kay out, Ive met her daughters and they are very nice people, I just hope they know that, in this state, you can't beat Republicans with nice.

[depakid]

38. If you read some in depth analysis- starting with say, George Lakoff's books

you might understand the dynamics behind the processes, and not feel the need to be insulting or parrot conventional "wisdom" from the corporate media.

You'd also realize why the Dems have lost both policy battles- and national elections for so long. Hint: perceptions of weakness and "stand for nothingness" are often more important determinates of voter behavior than specific stands on the issues.

Moreover, how those issues are framed means everything as any pollster would tell you. Buy into Republican or so called "blue dog" framing, and you're fighting an uphill battle. Frame them accurately and responsibly -and the demagoguery runs not counter- but with people's pre-existing needs, opinions and expectations.

In case you haven't followed the recent studies- Americans (even in districts like you cite) aren't "conservative" in the sense that they believe in Republican policies that are much more often than not- contrary to their economic and social well being. That's a myth created (and reinforced by even by Dems) on "news" and talk shows.

The actual data shows a different picture.

Read it for yourself and see:

Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007
Political Landscape More Favorable To Democrats

http://people-press.org/reports/pdf/312.pdf

More concise analysis here:

The Progressive Majority:
Why a Conservative America is a Myth

http://mediamatters.org/progmaj/report
-------------

So, if you accept the data, ask yourself- are they really getting the representation that they want? Or, as Joe Bageant might say, are they being swayed by other factors that are actually exacerbated by repeated pandering to the far right or unwillingness to call a spade a spade and possibly "offend" some ephemeral center?

Bottom line is that Howard Dean had it right: People in your district- and in districts like it across the South and Midwest, they want policies that promote good jobs, decent healthcare and better education and opportunities to their kids.

Do you really have such a low opinion of the people in say, D-6 Minnesota, that they really want a buffoon like Michelle Bachman representing them?

Something else to think about: for over 15 years now- Democrats and beltway consultants have followed the sorts strategies you you advocate. How has that worked out?

[Endangered Specie]

24. Are you that politically naive?

anyone moderate or liberal in that district would lose massively.

[LynneSin]

29. Technically Heath Shuler is a moderate

I mean his rating is 86% votes with democrats, which to me hardly even makes him moderate except the 14% he votes republican are some key areas.

Shuler is a Dem, he's just a democrat that fits perfectly in a district that is very rural, conservative and heavily Christian.

[Endangered Specie]

42. Well, on this board, that makes you a right wing nut job!

Just remember, in 2006, he was the ONLY Dem to beat a Rep congressman in the south, except for the pedophile in Florida.
:hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. People were saying that about nancy Pelosi

And she destroyed her primary opponent.

In one the most liberal district in America.

[LynneSin]

21. Glad to see this item, but when Heath was the Redskins' quarterback, "no lead was safe".

HAHAH, that was a funny comment about the race. Let's hope Heath has better luck as a US Representative!

[MadAnne]

46. Mumpower's campaign is on again. n/t