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NC-08: Dem Kissell Concedes, But Will Challenge Hayes Again
Dem Larry Kissell conceded defeat yesterday to Rep. Robin Hayes after the first phase of a recount showed that the outcome was unlikely to change, the Associated Press reports. Hayes prevailed by only 329 votes, the AP says, adding that the super-tight margin prompted Kissell to announce that "he was starting his 2008 congressional bid immediately."
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A shame Kissell isn't the new representative but glad to see he's ready to make another run at it.
We need a lot more Kissells in Congress and a lot fewer PinkSugars.
November 30, 2006 7:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Larry Kissell would have been a great Congressman, and it's a shame he lost.
I'm glad he's planning to run again; it's easier the second time around, when you start off with good name recognition, already have a campaign organization, and have learned a lot about what it takes to campaign successfully.
I bet he knocks Hayes off in 2008.
November 30, 2006 8:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kissell is great guy, great positions. I helped him, helped raise money for him, etc (I'm in NC). He ran a great campaign, and he should be incredibly proud. He got so close...
But a Dem cannot win NC-8 in '08. NC is a solid red state in presidential years (no D pres nominee has won NC since Carter, not even Clinton in '92). And the coat-tail effect is real. State-wide Dems can only win in pres years if they work like hell to distance themselves from the national party; district candidates have to have an immediate, pressing local concern (as with Hayes' CAFTA vote). Further, Hayes' own campaign manager admitted they were out-worked this year - they won't make that mistake again. So even not knowing either the R or D pres nominee in '08, I'd give Hayes a 90% chance of re-election with 55% of the vote. Against anybody.
November 30, 2006 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink