Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Christian Coalition to hand out voter guides

Christian Coalition of North Carolina will be distributing primary voter guides through out Catawba County this coming weekend (May 3 and 4).

Jeff Lominac, director of the Christian Coalition of North Carolina, said this is the first time in a number of years that a guide for local elections has been offered.

Lominac said that he eventually would like to get voter guides out for local elections across the state and to get a start toward that goal he began with his home county of Catawba. The guides cover the primary races for county commissioners, state senate and U.S. 10th District Congress. 

Easley endorses Hillary Clinton for president

North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today announced his endorsement of Hillary for President.

“I am supporting Hillary Clinton because she has a passion for improving the lives of all Americans. She will be a president who stands up for people across North Carolina – and this country – every day in the White House,” said Governor Easley. “I know she will get to work immediately making education and the economy her top priorities for our nation. She is ready to lead our country and has the ability to deliver.”

Monday, April 28, 2008

Rev. Wright Calls Sermon Flap an “Attack on the Black

Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, called the month-long debate over portions of his past sermons an attack on the black church Monday and repeatedly accused the media of taking his words out of context.

After weeks of looped videos showing Wright saying, “God #### America” for killing innocent people, and another sermon, during which Wright quoted a U.S. ambassador to Iraq saying 9/11 was America’s chickens “coming home to roost,” Wright started his own media blitz.

Chelsea makes Hickory visit

Chelsea Clinton, former president Bill Clinton’s daughter, dropped by Hickory on Sunday afternoon while on the campaign trail for mother, Hillary.
Chelsea toured the Hickory Furniture Mart for about an hour. She didn’t take any questions from the media or from the many curious onlookers.
She did sign many autographs and probably took more than 20 photos with people.
My apologies to anyone expecting prior information of her visit. The campaign released the information Saturday evening. Presidential campaigns usually make their iteneraries only a few days in advance.

The following is the news story from colleague Sarah Newell.

No available Obama tickets

Tickets are sold out for Tuesday’s Barack Obama event at Hickory High School.
Volunteers say all available tickets were dispersed Saturday by about 5 p.m. Campaign officials won’t say how many tickets were given out. The official capacity of Hickory High’s gym is 3,400, according to school offiicials.
Hickory High students will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. Doors will open at 2 p.m.
The exact starting time has not been released.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Obama will visit Hickory next week

Barack Obama is coming to Catawba County after all.

The presidential candidate will make a stop in Hickory on Tuesday, campaign officials announced Friday.

Obama will hold a town hall meeting at Hickory High School’s Craft Gymnasium. Doors open at 2 p.m. The event’s start time has not been announced.

The event is free and open to the public, though tickets are required. Tickets can be acquired at Obama headquarters on First Avenue, N.W., in Hickory or the Early Voting location at Highland Recreation Center.

He’ll be speaking about the global economy and trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement that affects towns such as Hickory.

Reader interviews Sen. Elizabeth Dole

Hello all, my name is Carlton Huffman and I am joined today by North Carolina’s senior Senator, Elizabeth Dole, who is seeking reelection this fall. Senator I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk about the issues on the mind of North Carolina as we approach November 2008.

Obama visit details

Barack Obama will visit Hickory on Tuesday.
The presidential candidate will hold a town hall meeting at Hickory High School’s Craft Gymnasium. Doors open at 2 p.m. The start time has not been announced. The event is free and open to the public. However, space is limited and tickets are required. Admission is first-come, first-served for ticket holders.
Tickets are available Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Obama’s Hickory headquarters on First Avenue, NW, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and at Highland Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For security reasons, people are asked to not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.

Allran offended by Barnes ad

A television ad by Republican challenger Kitty Barnes offended longtime N.C. Sen. Austin Allran. Allran called the ad “extremely misleading and extremely hypocritical.”
The ad mentions more than 40 tax increases Allran supported during the past three years despite signing a pledge to oppose any and all taxes. Barnes admits to supporting the hotel occupancy tax increases Allran favored along with recent sales tax and property tax increases.
But Barnes points out she didn’t sign the pledge. Allran did.

Click below for Thursday’s article.