NC-02: The Clay & Renee Show Comes To Town
In about a week, we here in Pinehurst are being, um, “blessed” with an appearance from our two choices for the US House this November. Renee Ellmers and Clay Aiken will face off before a ballroom full of bankers (and a statewide TV audience) in a week at The Pinehurst Resort. Since the site of this momentous event is roughly one mile from Haymaker HQ, we may wander over to catch the action in person. *Who knows? This could top Lincoln-Douglas.*
It is mighty curious that Ellmers is agreeing to debate Aiken. She declined to even appear in the same room with her 2012 primary opponents or her general election opponents. In 2014, she declined to debate primary opponent Frank Roche. Ellmers is not that great at the ol’ debating game. Roche — a college lecturer and radio host — was quite capable of making a good impression during a debate. Clay Aiken — given his show business experience — has shown himself to be quite adept and charismatic in front of an audience.
It’s always an adventure when you put Ellmers in front of an audience or the media. (As examples, see THIS and THIS and THIS.)
Why do this? In politics, it’s considered a wise move for an incumbent – who is far ahead of an opponent — to avoid debating said underdog opponent. Sources familiar with both campaigns tell us a proposal for a second debate is even being considered. I am thinking that Ellmers has seen polling that shows this race with Aiken as way too close for comfort. 
But it’s a yellow-dog GOP district. HOW could this thing be close? The answer: Ellmers has HUGE likability issues. Those issues are created and nurtured by things like screaming insults at your constituents and showing your face more often in Vegas and DC than you do in the district. I’ve come across plenty of people — still with fresh memories of Howard Coble’s excellent constituent service team — expressing frustration with the poor quality, or lack, of a response from Team Ellmers. Coble wasn’t all that conservative. He got a pass on that due to his responsiveness and attention to the district. Ellmers has been falling off the conservative wagon quite a bit lately. She might get a pass if she made an effort to (1) pay attention to her constituents or (2) even be nice.
Clay Aiken has views to the left of most people in the district. But, he’s likable. He’s worked hard on the campaign trail and has a respectable campaign treasury.
The weak top of the GOP ticket this year may not produce enough coattails to drag lower-level GOP candidates across the line. Lower-level campaigns will have to save themselves. A charm offensive — or even going through the motions to look conservative — may help pull Ellmers across the finish line.
Wow I think we just figured it all out with Renée and immigration reform. We don’t need to dumb it down for all women, we just need to dumb it down for Renée. A good idea for her would be go back to the second district and listen to the female voters that say they don’t support illegal immigration. Then again if she would just go back and listen it would be a great start. In the end it’s all even Steven. Clay goes to a tea party rally for support and the Democrats give Renèe a campaign rally. And we wonder why the voters are so dissatisfied with Washington DC, we don’t know who is who anymore.
I am glad I do not live in that district. I could not vote for either of those Big Government politicians. Fortunately, in my district, my GOP Congressman has principle and I can vote for him with confidence.
I believe our dear Renee has seen the light that she’s not a shoe-in for re-election and that’s why she’s agreed to this debate. She didn’t really see Frank Roche as an obstacle in the primary. The left, the uninformed and the entitled youth will turn out for Clay because he’s a star, not because of what he stands for and I think she fears her cushy D.C. job will go away.
Clay is a star but he’s much much more than that. Have you heard of The Internet? There is a lot out there to tell you where he stands and in the end you will vote for him because its the right thing to do.
Start here http://youtu.be/kE5t6SeV7Tk
If she’s waiting for my vote, her cushy D.C. job will definitely go away.