Jerry Meek.

It was really close, less than 30 votes separated the two contenders. At least we don't have to endure a recount.

I was hoping it would be Ed Turlington, JRE's pres campaign manager, but Jerry is young (early 30's I think) and he has good ideas about working with grassroots organizations.

I saw alot of folks from last year's campaign, it was like having another reunion. The one person that I had expected to see wasn't there, since Ed was running for party chair, I was really suprised that JRE didn't attend since he's in town.

I was hoping for Turlington also, I hope this works out for the best.

It gets my goat the Gov. Easley, the person who pushed for Turlington, didn't have the decency to show up. But then, he never showed at a single rally or town hall meeting last during during the campaign and it was VERY noticable.

Today Easley announced that he want to cut taxes to those that make over $200,000/year. It will cost the state about $90 Million. Meanwhile the state is in a 1.2 billion deficit.

What I want to know is why a democratic governor is taking lessons, and bad ones at that, from a failure of a president?!

HMMMM, I'm begining to think that maybe the gov wanted this state to vote red and that it had nothing to do with the K/E campaign.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

[quote=Barbara]It gets my goat the Gov. Easley, the person who pushed for Turlington, didn't have the decency to show up. But then, he never showed at a single rally or town hall meeting last during during the campaign and it was VERY noticable.

Today Easley announced that he want to cut taxes to those that make over $200,000/year. It will cost the state about $90 Million. Meanwhile the state is in a 1.2 billion deficit.

What I want to know is why a democratic governor is taking lessons, and bad ones at that, from a failure of a president?!

HMMMM, I'm begining to think that maybe the gov wanted this state to vote red and that it had nothing to do with the K/E campaign.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:[/quote]

That sounds like a bad decision on the part of your governor. Instead of taking lessons from Bush, he should probably take lesson from his fellow southern red state dem gov one state north of him (VA). Our governor has been able, in 4 years, turn a billion dollar deficit into a billion dollar projected surplus. He can't be more popular. To bad his term is up; he can't run again this year. VA governors can't serve two consecutive terms, yeah I know it's silly but true.

[quote=Barbara]It gets my goat the Gov. Easley, the person who pushed for Turlington, didn't have the decency to show up. But then, he never showed at a single rally or town hall meeting last during during the campaign and it was VERY noticable.

Today Easley announced that he want to cut taxes to those that make over $200,000/year. It will cost the state about $90 Million. Meanwhile the state is in a 1.2 billion deficit.

What I want to know is why a democratic governor is taking lessons, and bad ones at that, from a failure of a president?!

HMMMM, I'm beginning to think that maybe the gov wanted this state to vote red and that it had nothing to do with the K/E campaign.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:[/quote]

Sounds like NC politics to me, I've never been able to figure all of it out.
With all the pharmaceutical companies, RJR, Golden Triangle - this makes no sense at all. Tax cuts to all of the above do make sense, leaves the rest of us in the hole. I'm beginning to wonder IF Easley was stabbed in the back over the tobacco buyout. Is he another Democon, if not he's sure acting like one. This state has no reason to be running a deficit.

HMMMM, I'm beginning to think myself! :twisted:

I'm just thankfull that Easley's limited to two terms (thank you Gov. Hunt).

Nova,
We used to be a "`one-and`-out" state, but Gov. Jim Hunt got that changed so he could serva second term. That allowed him to finish some of the projects he started in his first term (like Smart Start ans Head Start). Then after 2 terms by Gov. Martin, Gov Hunt ran again and ended up serving 2 more terms. He put this state on the best financial footing we could ever have. When he left office the state's credit rating was the highest of any state ever, a "`five-star`".

If you want your gov to run for another term, talk to your legislators. It amazes me how many people think they can't talk to the legislators or that its a waste of time. Very few legislators are opposed to talking to their constituents. If you can't do that, start a letter writing campaign, it really does work.

From the new NC Democratic Party Chair:

[quote]Dear North Carolina Democrat:

On Saturday, I was honored to be elected Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. To me, Saturday’s story is not that I was elected, but that the `hard-working` folks just like you who carry the mantle of our Party at the local level elected me.

First, let me emphasize that our Party is united. We are blessed with leaders from many points of view and many backgrounds. In many respects, that’s what makes us different from Republicans. I salute my challenger, Ed Turlington, and look forward to working with him and his supporters in making our state and our Party even better. I also look forward to working with Gov. Mike Easley to advance our common agenda—one that he has advanced so well already -- creating jobs, investing in health care, improving education, defending our security, and protecting our environment.

We are all Democrats and we are united in our common goals of improving our Party and our state. I intend to lead a Party that will build upon our successes, at every level, from the court house to the White House, beating the Republicans.

During my campaign, I repeatedly said that I believe that we need a State Party that is responsive to the needs of local parties and that includes them in the `decision-making` process. Our Party is built upon the work of literally thousands of grassroots activists, working at the precinct and county levels. I will lead a State Party that serves them. I also promised to lead a State Party that embraces technology and be a State Chair who understands how technology can be combined with grassroots politics to make amazing things happen. I will lead a State Party that will be actively engaged in finding creative solutions to our State's problems and that will be involved `year-round` in promoting a policy agenda. I will be a State Chair who will aggressively engage younger voters, giving them hope that they can make a meaningful impact through the Democratic Party.

Those are my promises to you and I intend to keep them. But I will need your help. So, let’s get to work.

Best wishes,

Jerry Meek, Chair[/quote]