Democrat Congressman Larry Kissell achieved notoriety as a school teacher in touch with the common man. He campaigned as an outsider who felt the pain of folks who had lost their jobs. He wore his liberalism proudly campaigning as the answer to the jobless woes of the 8th district.
But rhetoric and reality are catching up with the 1st term congressman. Though liberal, Kissell has been rather difficult to read. He voted against healthcare legislation and cap and trade. One has to wonder what he really stands for. Of the districts likely to fall in the state this year, I’d say Kissell’s is squarlely within the GOP’s grasp. It doesn’t hurt that most of the lamentations seem to be coming from his own team.
Dannie Montgomery, a teacher from Anson County who served as first vice chair of the N.C. Democratic Party, said in a news release that Kissell “has turned his back on the grassroots supporters who propelled him to office,” Jim Morrill of The Charlotte Observer reports. She said Kissell has alienated some African American leaders in the 8th District, which could dampen black turnout. She said she has encouraged Charlotte lawyer Chris Kouri to challenge Kissell. Kouri ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2002 against Republican Robin Hayes
(comment correcting cap and trade appreciated)
3 Comments
Feb 06 at 01:50
Kissell vote against cap and trade as well, just to verify. not to debunk you but he voted against cap and trade, health care, and cram down, while supporting wall street reform, the stimulus, and the public lands act. so in reality he is one of those guys who is in the middle getting beaten up by both sides for actually contemplating each vote.
Feb 06 at 10:38
The issue here is that Kissell ran as a liberal, he reached out to that constituency to say, “I’m one of you” and then abandoned them while condemning conservatives at the same time.
In so doing, his constituents don’t really know what Kissell stands for. He is unpredictable because he has no convictions.
Feb 09 at 22:33
“Of the districts likely to fall in the state this year, I’d say Kissell’s is squarlely within the GOP’s grasp.”
This is assuming a credible candidate comes out of the GOP primary. If D’Annunzio wins the nomination, Kissell will easily win a 2nd term. Don’t believe me, just check this out…
http://campaigntracker.blogspot.com/2010/02/dannunzio-anonymous-posters-do-their.html