Hi, I’m Kay

by | Apr 22, 2014 | 2014 Elections, Editor's Blog, NC Politics, US Senate | 9 comments

During her five-and-a-half years in the US Senate, Kay Hagan has kept her head down and done her work. She’s kept a relatively low-profile but been active in the state, especially around military issues. She’s built a reputation as one of Washington’s most moderate Senators at a time of hyper-partisanship. Despite years of public service though, voters and the press still don’t know a lot about her.

The Hagan campaign should use the opportunity of the GOP Senate primary, to reintroduce Hagan to the voters. While the Republicans are bashing each other, she should be on a public relations tour to shore up her relationships with the press and reach out to opinion leaders and political-types who are paying attention. They need to be reminded who she is and what she’s done before the real fight starts this summer and fall. 

People need to know that Hagan’s attention to military affairs is not political, it’s personal. Her family is steeped in military service, including nephews who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to be reminded that she’s a mother and grandmother and that those roles have influenced her decisions. And she needs to answer some of the questions now that are certainly going to be asked in the fall. 

Youtube and social media make reaching out to the informed electorate both easy and cheap. In 2008, she launched her campaign with a short video shot in a kitchen. She came across as sincere and credible. She should try it again, maybe even make a series of them. 

And Hagan needs to rebuild her relationships with the press and editorial boards across the state. They need to be reminded about her accomplishments and given the chance to ask some tough questions while the spotlight is not as bright as it will be. She needs to foster an air of openness and accessibility with the people who will eventually shape the public perception of the race. It will pay off in the long run.

She should take a page out of the Richard Burr playbook and use her token primary to air an ad or two that shows her human side. Let us meet your family again, and let us see that grand baby. Remind us that you are more than just a U. S. Senator. 

Hagan has an opportunity to start getting in front of people before the real shooting starts. She should build and strengthen relationships with the press and opinion leaders now so they will give her the benefit of the doubt later. She needs to start insulating herself from anti-Washington sentiment by connecting her work to the lives of real people here in North Carolina. She needs to humanize herself before Republicans and their allies make her a caricature. That’s no easy task for a sitting U. S. Senator and that’s why she needs to start now.

Hagan is never going to be the candidate you most want to have beer with and she’s never going to inspire the loyal following of an Elizabeth Warren or a Ted Cruz. That’s not who she is, but she’s also not a phony. She is a serious woman who she thinks about the issues and makes her decisions accordingly. She’s a workhorse, not a show horse. Right now, Washington could use more people like her, not less. 

9 Comments

  1. Eilene

    And the government shut down was who’s doing again?

    • geek49203 aka Bad Rubbish

      Both sides. The GOP said “postpone the individual mandate” as one of their offers, and Harry Reid said “no.” And then we found out that the individual mandate was not ready for prime time — which the Senate had to know, since it was common knowledge in the IT world.

      And then there was the “Oh no, don’t shut down gov’t, cause when Newt did it, we retook majorities in the House” warnings.

      So you tell me.

      • Thomas Ricks

        Bother. A moderate who, no matter what evidence is present, will always insist both sides are the same. See also truther, birther.

        Closet Republican. A republican who calls themselves independent, but who uses republican talking points, votes for republicans, speaks against liberals and believes themselves to be “Centrist” when they are anything but.

    • Thomas Ricks

      Only a fool gives in to the demands of an economic terrorist, no matter how much the nevil chamberlins are saying, “Can’t we all just get along?” Like Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks.

      How’d that work out for him?

  2. James Protzman

    Too bad we don’t have universal health care, though I’m betting you weren’t fond of that idea either.

    Sorry you’re in such dire straits.

    James

    PS Sounds like your line of work involved indirectly slopping at the public trough, or did I misread your comment?

    • geek49203 aka Bad Rubbish

      1/3 of all money in this economy goes thru the “public trough”. In the IT space, it’s more like 2/3. Conservatives believe in government — just not “government” as the solution to every problem.

      • Thomas Ricks

        There is no such thing as a conservative independent. There are only Republicans that admit it and Republicans that don’t; libertarians, constitution party etc.

  3. geek49203 aka Bad Rubbish

    I for one am grateful that I now qualify for “free” health insurance.

    Yessirree Bob, I owe it all to Kay and the Dem leadership. ‘Cause before ObamaCare, I had to pay $900/month for my family plan. Which I was able to do ’cause I had so much work that I was turning job offers down left and right.

    But then last fall, magic happened! First, the phone calls stopped about the time that the government shutdown hit, meaning that I was out of a job! Which normally would mean that I would pay $87/month for a catastrophic plan until I got a job — but NOOOooooOOOO! Kay and her Dems can take credit for saving me from that little expense!

    When I called her office, the helpful people told me just who to call to thank… “Call the White House” was one suggestion, and “Call the IRS” was another! Such helpful people in Kay’s office, not like those other offices where they take a phone number and then have some “expert” call you back and stuff. Sooo much faster this way!

    Anyway, due to Kay’s actions, I landed a job pumping gas. Mind you, some might think a six-figure IT guy with a masters degree and professional certifications might have a tough time getting a $8/hr job, but nooo! And I only have to work 28 hours per week due to Kay!

    And now, since I now make more than $11,000, but not much more, I get “FREE” health insurance!!!! Gosh, why did I ever bother to buy my own back in the day?? FREE!

    And I owe it all to Kay. Without her vote, NONE of this would’ve happened. ‘Cause w/o ACA, we wouldn’t have banned my $87/mo plan. And the government shutdown, which killed my line of work, would’ve never happened. And due to ACA, part time jobs are now limited to 28 hours.

    THANK YOU KAY! THANK YOU! Oh I can hardly wait to vote for you!

    (and while some might contest the spin in this one, this is my true story)

    • Thomas Ricks

      Anyone who tells you that mankind can’t cause climate change on the planet, and then turns around and says, “But even if we are, don’t worry, technology can save us!” should not be trusted in anything else they’re going to say.

      Anyone who thinks those people have a good idea and recites their talking points on a regular basis isn’t really someone you should trust either.

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