Hagan’s track record recommends election
Sunday's editorial.
For years, Kay Hagan has been Guilford County’s go-to state senator in Raleigh. Smart, energetic and well-connected, she’s drawn high ratings for effectiveness.
One example stands out: state support for the furniture market in High Point.
High Point isn’t part of Hagan’s Senate district, but she recognized its economic importance to Guilford County, the Triad and all of North Carolina. Then she made sure that leaders in Raleigh — in the administration and the legislature — understood, too. With other area representatives of both parties, she won backing for state funding for transportation and marketing to improve the important furniture show. The amounts of money have been modest compared to state incentives deals, but they’ve made an impact in bracing High Point’s competitive position against a potent rival in Las Vegas.
Hagan, 55, has worked vigorously on behalf of Greensboro interests as well, while becoming a leader in forging statewide spending priorities.
What she has done in Raleigh, she’s ready to do in Washington. She deserves election to the U.S. Senate seat held by Elizabeth Dole, 72.
The incumbent, a Republican, has represented North Carolina honorably, crowning a long career of distinguished public service with a term in the Senate, but the times call for a change.
With the state’s other Senate seat held by Republican Richard Burr, a respected Democrat like Hagan can see to it that North Carolina interests aren’t overlooked by Democratic majorities in Congress and a likely Democratic administration. She’s already proved she won’t sit for long on the back bench in a legislative chamber.
Hagan’s record has been moderate and business-friendly. She should remain on that centrist course, embracing the best ideas from either side of the political divide. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, investing in effective education policies, health care reform, new energy development and what she calls “a whole list of pocketbook issues.” She exudes confidence, frequently promising that things will get done when she goes to Washington.
Unfortunately, voters haven’t always seen Hagan at her best during the campaign. More TV ads have attacked Dole than featured Hagan’s achievements. Dole’s campaign has responded in kind. Portraying Dole as a captive of the oil industry or out of touch is unfair and inaccurate. Tagging Hagan as “Fibber Kay” is unconscionable. These two women should be running for office in a manner that would convince North Carolinians that either would be a worthy winner.
The third candidate, Libertarian Christopher Cole, 44, said last week the relentless attack ads would prompt him, if he could afford his own TV messages, to declare: “They’re both right.”
Actually, they’re both wrong. Dole, before the barrage began, was liked by most North Carolinians. Although she has not gained as much influence in the Senate as her Washington experience should have earned for her, nor been as visible in North Carolina as she should have, she can count some accomplishments. Among them: helping give sheriffs more federal support to deal with illegal immigrants who commit crimes; negotiating a favorable tobacco buyout program; watching over a military realignment that strengthened North Carolina’s position. She also several times pushed for stronger regulation of lenders Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but unsuccessfully.
Dole is vulnerable politically because of her alignment with President Bush on most issues over the years, from the Iraq war to massive deficit spending. All the nation’s troubles have fed voters’ desire for change in Washington, and Dole could be a casualty of that understandably restless mood.
Hagan, if elected, may be exactly the right replacement. She’s responsive to constituents, communicates well, works hard, comprehends complex issues, makes good decisions and is not content to be average. She can become an outstanding U.S. senator. With appreciation for Dole’s service, voters should give Hagan the chance to take her talents to Washington.
Comments (15)
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Yes if you believe all the land belongs to someone other than the property owner.
If you believe in voting for a liar. Remember the temporary tax. Yes if you believe in funding all kinds of PORK projects. Yes if you believe in ripping off school funds , to the tune of 748 million dollars. Yes if you believe in borrowing 650 million dollars with out tax payers approval. Yes if you believe the HD should build roads and then rip them up, because some one was leaning on a shovel . (I-40 20million dollars worth) Yes if you were for handing out drivers permits to illegals. Yes if you are for allowing illegals to vote. The democrats were against voter ID cards. Yes if you are for putting innocent people in jail for the sake of a election. ( Duke Men*) Yes if you believe illegals should be allowed to drive with no car insurance. Yea, just the kind of person we need! However she is a role model for the NR, .
a flaming left wing liberal, just the kind of people they always endorse.
Posted on October 5, 2008 7:29 AM
So, the N&R finally admits to agreeing with the values of the sick, twisted Hollywood left, the Communist inspired Code Pink, and Al Franken. How can I possibly say something like that, read on.
This weekend, liberal, Hollywood Democrats are choosing to support the candidates they believe most closely represent their values. This Saturday, the Hollywood crowd is hosting a fundraiser for like-minded Senate candidates who include Tom Allen of Maine, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Mark Udall of Colorado, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Al Franken of Minnesota, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Mark Begich of Alaska. The group has pledged a minimum of $100,000 for each candidate. Not a cheap investment, even for such an affluent group of Hollywood fat-cats.
A photo accompanying this article showed the Code Pink sickos holding a banner that says, "we support the killing of American troops!" I wonder if this same banner hangs in the N&R editorial department!
Posted on October 5, 2008 9:37 AM
I am sure the NR has committed some sort of violation in endorsing Kay Hagan - I will research extensively - What happened to reporting news and letting the people make up their minds without this left winged endorsement????? I would be writing the same had you endorsed any candidate - Democrat or Republican!! Your paper has crossed the line! Now there should be equal time for Senator Dole. What do you think? Phyllis Davis
Posted on October 5, 2008 11:13 AM
Phyllis, what are you talking about? "Research extensively"? I assume you're joking. All newspapers make endorsements. BTW they are on the Opinion Page not the front page.
Posted on October 5, 2008 11:44 AM
Ms. Davis,
With all due respect, it's not a violation of anything -- thanks to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- for a newspaper to express opinions.
Posted on October 5, 2008 1:24 PM
No, gsofan - I am not joking. Phyllis
Posted on October 5, 2008 1:27 PM
And gsofan - where did the info on the candidates come from? Did Kay help balance the budget? - the last time I checked NC did not have a balanced budget! Phyllis
Posted on October 5, 2008 1:30 PM
This endorsement is "sun rises in the East", "dog bites man" stuff. Everyone should have seen this coming. The N&R has been in the Hagan camp for a long time. No mention is made of her voting for tax increase after tax increase, as well voting for pork barrel projects when the state faced budget shortfalls. This is not the voting record of a so-called "budget expert"- doubling the state's debt- come on! Our tax burden in North Carolina is the highest in the Southeastern U.S.; this is the work of a "business friendly" state senator? A state senator that went along with Easley and Basnight to not rescind the rest of the "temporary" sales tax increase, voting to make this increase permanent- no mention is made of how this has more of an impact on lower income families. She voted to increase the car registration fees 40%; doesn't this impact the "working families" the hardest? Typically, the N&R opts for the tax-and-spend candidate in this race. Look for more of the same with their upcoming endorsements.
Posted on October 5, 2008 2:03 PM
Kay is a true resident of North Carolina. Even her husband is eligible to vote for her. She has actually been spotted at various locations around town.
She has worked hard to represent the people of her district and actually responds to constituents when they contact her or her office.
She is rated as highly effective in her job and she has a long list of accomplishments in office. And she actually spent her time in office focusing on North Carolina, not working for other Senatorial candidates in other states.
I think this endorsement is appropriate.
Posted on October 5, 2008 6:47 PM
OK Doug ?- I for one am glad we have the first amendment! BUT would you consider "endorse" the same thing as campaining (Campaining is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group -but you already knew that). So would your endorsing/campainging for a FEDERAL elected official fall under the Bipartisian Campain Reform Act? Your newspaper falls under Federal Election Activity. Phyllis
Posted on October 5, 2008 7:41 PM
Phyllis:
I can answer that question: It is not campaign activity. It is stating a position, as editorial pages across the nation do every day.
The News & Record has endorsed candidates for decades.
Posted on October 5, 2008 7:45 PM
Allen, I can appreciate your position as an individual but still think endorse equals campaign. Maybe News & Record as well as other media needs to rethink Federal Elections. I do beleive that the Bipartisan Reform Act speaks to federal elections. Several media personnel have been challenged. And I know that most editorals do promote liberal agendas. Do you think it is time for a change to report facts? The major TV networks hint at their endorsement/Campaigning but don't acutally do what you did in todays paper. It has nothing to do with the candidates but the free advertisment that your paper is giving a candidate. We as as subscribers are actually paying for that ad!!
Posted on October 5, 2008 8:28 PM
Ms. Davis,
An act of Congress cannot override the First Amendment. Are you arguing for repeal of the First Amendment provision protecting freedom of the press?
Posted on October 6, 2008 9:29 AM
No Doug, I am not arguing for repeal of the First Amendment - however there are those out there that have tried to repeal the Second Amendment. What you are missing is the fact that your are campaigning for a federal candidate. - "endorse" equals "campaigning".
Posted on October 6, 2008 9:45 AM
Dole's recent campaign flyer, where she vilifies atheists as "vile," shows she doesn't belong in the US Senate.
Posted on October 8, 2008 1:01 AM