North Carolina's Dole Playing Defense in Race Now Rated as Tossup

[Nambe]

Source: Congressional Quarterly Inc

Democratic strategists know that their goal of scoring the big nine-seat Senate gain they need to achieve a "filibuster-proof" 60-seat majority is a lofty one, and that they would have to oust some of the favored incumbent Republican senators they have targeted -- among them North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole. And while state Sen. Kay Hagan, their nominee, once appeared a distinct underdog to Dole, there are multiple signs that this is emerging as one of the year's key battleground races.

Because of these shifts, CQ Politics has changed its rating on the race, which was Republican Favored, to its tossup category of No Clear Favorite. ...

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20080916/pl_cq_politics/politics2951060;_ylt=Amkc7pVDAJ6f3EBUD24_3KSs0NUE

[barbtries]

1. oh that's cool

go dems

[Faith No More]

2. Dole has been an absolute joke here in NC.

A typical do nothing, line your pockets republican.

[tom_paine]

3. That is good news, indeed...K & R.

[nolabels]

17. Not, they will continue to throw up the "toss up" line long enough to steal it

If you believe most of whatever they say are lies of one sort or another then sorting out the bigger ones gets easier :-)

[tom_paine]

18. Yes, I know. I am trying to enjoy what little sparks of hope exist.

Yes, I know it might be a mirage, is probably a mirage.

But I didn't need to hear what I already know. Thanks anyway.

[trthnd4jstc]

4. Mrs. Dole has been one heartless Senator, Go Kay Hagen! n/t

[Alcibiades]

5. Washington insider Elizabeth Dole

I'll bet that she does not choose to reside in her "home" state of North Carolina after she loses.

[Doctor_J]

11. Exactly. DC lifer. I have heard that NC is coming around

Make us proud!

[CRK7376]

19. "You mean she's from the Tarheel State?"

Who would have ever thought that. She's seldom here and never listens to we the little people. Not enough money. Go Hagan Go!

[maseman]

6. I've heard from friends in NC that she basically

never meets with anyone in NC to discuss problems, etc. You figure she'd even fake it to get elected but I guess not.

[supernova]

13. No she doesn't meet w/ constituents at all

No open office hours when she's in NC because she's never here.

No offers of a coffee hour discussion type thing at her Senate office for Tarheels who are visiting DC.

More importantly, I've never heard of her office successfully handling someone's visa or SS problems, or any of that stuff either.

She's useless.

[RedLetterRev]

7. The only time that absentee slumlord of a "senator" has shown up

in NC has been for paid speaking engagements. Otherwise, she hasn't been spotted in NC. All she ever managed to do in DC is rubberstamp the most egregious of neoKKKon agenda. A quick check of her campaign contributors shows that she's been very highly rewarded by the banking industry for her "work" on the (anti-consumer but mega-business-friendly) bankruptcy bill and also by the telecom industry for her hand in rubberstamping amnesty for telecom companies.

Nice, huh.

Check out Where is Liddy? and BlueNC (my other favorite hangout when I'm not here).

She needs to get back on her broom and ride back out of NC. If she couldn't stand the sight of us over the last six years, she has no right to swoop back in and ask for our vote now. Piss off, Biddy Dole.

K/R

[Mudoria]

8. I think she's got a very real chance of losing that seat this year.

I wouldn't have thought that early on but Hagan (and the DNC ads) have really put the boot to Dole's record and reputation. She may still win, incumbents have that nasty advantage, but it's really possible we may have a new Senator with a -D beside her name.

[RedLetterRev]

12. Pleas to G'd let's boot Biddy Dole

I got an email recently saying that Kay had managed to raise $1M by the end of last month, so I hope she'll put some of that to good use. The RSCC have been airing some really nasty stuff in the Triad (don't know where you are) and I haven't seen much from Kay yet. I hope DSCC and Progressive Patriots can keep flipping her some much-needed cash. Biddy's donors have some awfully deep pockets, but then again, Biddy's donors are the ultra-ultra-rich and megabusinesses whom she serves so well. I'm chipping in where I can; this election truly is about the nickels and dimes that turn into big enough bucks to kick some elephant butt.

[moose65]

9. Ugh. She is the worst!

As far as I can tell, she hasn't set foot in NC since being elected. She's lived at the Watergate Complex in DC for 30 years. Also check out Liddy's Slippers, a Wizard-of-Oz themed website: they want to send her back to Kansas!!

http://www.liddysslippers.com/

[paparush]

10. Lose you soulless piece of offal. LOSE!!!!!!!

/rant off

[DeepModem Mom]

14. K&R

[young_at_heart]

15. Haven't seen too many Dole yard signs in Asheville

Actually, I haven't seen any McCain signs either!

[yardwork]

16. Hagan is running excellent negative ads against Dole.

I hope that Obama's campaign is taking a close look at Kay Hagan's strategy in North Carolina. I like these negative ads against Dole. They tell the truth. Democrats don't have to lie. We just have to put the truth out there.