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Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:44 AM Democrats urge supporters to spread the word this election By Matt Shaw | Times Staff Writer Democratic candidates asked Monday night for their friends and supporters in Wilson County to work their phone and e-mail lists for the next two months. "We need to do more than tell people who we're voting for; we need to tell them why," said Jennie Lancaster, a former Wilson resident who is supporting Bev Perdue for governor. It is an urgency felt by everyone on the ballot this year. "We need to tell people, in the best Democratic tradition, to vote early and vote often," joked Ronnie Ainsley, who is running for agricultural commissioner. "We need to vote Democratic for everything from the White House to the farmhouse." Around 150 people turned out Monday night for the 23rd annual Hot Air Fellowship, held at the Silver Lake Oyster Bar. The event is a fund-raiser for the Wilson County Democratic Party. Most of the evening was a reception, and attendees hobnobbed with Wilsonians like former Gov. Jim Hunt and Betty Ray McCain, former secretary of cultural resources. But county party chair Chris Boykin invited all of the candidates present or their representatives to speak. All were enthusiastic and optimistic about the fall's presidential, state and local elections. "We are positioned to win the White House," said U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield of Wilson. Democrats control 235 seats in the U.S. House and 51 in the U.S. Senate, "depending on how Joe Lieberman is feeling," Butterfield said. He optimistically projected that the party could pick up as many as 30 House seats and 10 seats in the Senate. That would give the Democrats a solid hold of Congress and a chance to right the country's direction if Barack Obama is elected president, he said. "In eight years, George Bush has almost driven this country over a cliff," Butterfield said. "We are nearly $10 trillion in debt. We'll run a $500 billion deficit next year. We have 47 million uninsured people while we are spending $400 million in Iraq every day. ... "When the American people settle down and think about it, there's no question the Democratic ticket is the way to go." N.C. Rep. Joe Tolson said it was also important for Democrats to keep control of the N.C. General Assembly. Unlike the federal government, the state has to balance its budget, he said. About 54 percent of the state budget goes to education, and Tolson said he is working to see that schools get current technology and resources. "We're making great progress and we'll continue to do so," he said. Other speakers were: * Lancaster, a Wilson native campaigning for Perdue. She said she had always been inspired by Gov. Hunt's devotion to the job and his state. "I tell you that little woman has the same work ethic," she said. * N.C. Sen. Walter Dalton, running for lieutenant governor. He apologized for missing last year's fellowship but said he had been in Raleigh with Sen. A.B. Swindell crafting a multi-million economic development package for Goodyear and Bridgestone. "We missed that good food, but we kept the good jobs here," he said. * Tim Hagan, son of N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan who is running for the U.S. Senate. He said his mom had been 20 points behind U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole in the first poles and now is slightly ahead. "Right now we are winning this race in North Carolina," he said. * State Superintendent June Atkinson, who is running for re-election. She said Hunt began the course of improving public schools "and we've made so much progress that we can't stop now." She asked voters to think "June in November," saying she is the candidate with experience as a teacher and school administrator. "My opponent (Richard Morgan) has only driven by schools," she said to laughter. * Ainsley said he has the support of Hunt and former agriculture commissioner Britt Cobb in this year's race. Agriculture has an important role in this country's energy independence, Ainsley said. Corn and soybeans need to be reserved for human and livestock consumption, but other products can be processed for biofuels. * Beth Wood, who is running for state auditor. She said she has been a certified public accountant for 20 years, an auditor for 15 years and has 10 years experience in the state office. The current auditor, Les Merritt, only has a background as a financial planner and does not have the credentials to perform audits, she said. He has often acted in political ways, she said. * Bart Edwards, representing Wayne Goodwin, candidate for insurance commissioner. He said Goodwin has the education and experience to replace longtime commissioner Jim Long. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 |
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