Elizabeth Dole

Senator Elizabeth Dole and US Representative Sue Myrick both appear to be distancing themselves from President Bush and his hum-hum final year agenda for the nation.

Ms. Myrick decided to “…stay home and watch the president’s address on television…” on Monday evening, while Mrs. Dole had a previous engagement to speak in front of a constituent group in NC.

On Thursday morning, both skipped out on Vice President Dick Cheney’s address to a select crowd at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Myrick begging off due the the impending birth of a grandchild, and VP Cheney acknowledging her “priorities”.  Kinda gives new meaning to, “I think I have to wash my hair”.

Still trying to curry favor with the administration, boy-politician, Patrick McHenry of the 10th district in NC, commented to the Observer, “the president missed the opportunity to push to make the middle-class tax cuts permanent. It was a good speech — but not bold enough”.

Mr. McHenry surely must realize that the tax cuts were not for the so-called middle class but the top 10% of incomes.

Creating permanence of these cuts, which are not set to expire until the fiscal year of 2010, would further drive a stake into the heart of the true middle class. The rich will not invest in new plants in Cherryville, Hickory, or Shelby. They will continue to buy their cars, remodel their kitchens, and go out to dinner — but not build factories, invest in their stateside employees, or contribute money to the United Way.

The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Senator Elizabeth Dole is facing a difficult re-election in 2008.

We feel pretty skeptical about this considering the strong republican segment in NC and the fact that few people know much about democratic hopefuls, Kay Hagan, Jim Neal, and John Hendrix. 

2002 election result for Gaston County:

There are other political parties active in North Carolina that would hope to field candidates, however, NC laws prevent ballot access. This has been a continual discussion on the Belmont Front Porch, usually when the weather is warmer and we can sit outside longer in the evenings.