I appreciate the balanced assessment of the two candidates. I also echo the concerns of Tony Wikrent, especially the innovation agenda. I am a professor of ethics in science and technology. I want to share one significant example that demonstrates Mrs. Foushee is out of touch. She is the chair of the AI Task Force. Her statements (http://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/liccardo-leads-introduction-new-democratic-coalitions-innovation-agenda ) and the New Democratic Coalition Innovation Agenda policy statement (https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/imo/media/doc/new_dem_innovation_agenda.pdf ) involve a word salad of nonspecific and misguided actions that reinforce exploitative capitalism and do not protect the public. For example, the section on AI states that Congress should not require licensing and registration nor regulate model development, but “should define undesirable outcomes and regulate incrementally…” This is the equivalent of herding cats. AI is expanding at break-neck speed and regulation to protect the public is light years behind. The statement goes on to say, “Regulations should penalize harmful misuse of AI, including fraud, deception, and invasions of individual privacy, rather than penalizing the underlying tools…" By focusing on bad actors, this is ignores the fact of government and private industry surveilling and tracking our movements, search histories, purchases, and social media feeds in order to manipulate us. Tech companies and political organizations are already exploiting us through surveillance capitalism and political propaganda. This represents an attack and erosion of our individual freedom. Technology reinforces existing hierarchies and structures that exploit the weak and powerless. Congress has consistently avoided, taking action to regulate AI for the public good, thereby allowing tech companies to increase their power and invasiveness of our lives. Experts in the field know that these statements are just words unsupported by no relevant action. The statement says that the public will receive information regarding how AI affects their lives. To date, she has not published any information. To me, she represents business as usual. Support for her voiced in these comments involve sticking with the status quo and fear of giving Republicans ammunition of association with the gang. It seems to me this is a time for action, not passivity.
I covered politicians as a reporter on four small daily newspapers for eight years (Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee). I covered campaign appearances by three former US Presidents (first Bush, Carter, Reagan) and six US Senators including Al Gore and the late Howard Baker and Al Gore. I also covered two of the least effective US Representatives ever John E Hunt of New Jersey and James H Quillen of Tennessee. I attended a town hall Rep Foushee held in Carrboro last year. My impression:because Commissioner Allam is endorsed by Bernie Sanders and associated with others in "The Squad" including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, nominating her as the Democratic Party candidate gives NC Republicans a viable message to use against Roy Cooper and other candidates: "Look here they've nominated another pro Bernie Sanders AOC and Omar." That plays well for Republicans with independent voters in North Carolina.
Not only do I agree with you, which I almost always do, I'm worried about the Squad connection because of antisemitism. Allam has had to apologize for comments she's made. Rep. Foushee has endorsements from very liberal and young representatives in the House, such as Rep. Frost. I think that says a lot since these are the people who know her best from working with her. Rep. Foushee has voted to the left of members in Congress 84% of the time and has the experience. Frankly, I'm concerned about losing her.
As someone who was born and raised in Raleigh, I appreciate the info on this important primary. I’m glad there are two capable women running for office. However, I would like some clarification on this part of your piece:
“If Allam wins, I hope she will stand up for more than just immigrant and minority groups who have transformed Durham. I hope she will also reach out to the people who have lost their cultural foundations because of those changes.”
I would sincerely like to know what you mean by “cultural foundations.”
What does that mean to you and what do you think that means to others?
Why do you think they’re “lost”?
And where exactly do you think those cultural foundations have gone?
It seems a bit xenophobic to assume that candidate Allam “will stand up” for
“just immigrant and minority groups who have transformed Durham.”
Is there any fact-based evidence that she doesn’t plan to represent ALL of her constituents if elected?
Did you hope that the first time Fouchee ran that she wouldn’t only be interested in civil rights as well?
It’s time to move on with an opposition party that is ready to meet the moment and fight for their constituents instead of their donors.
Business as usual has been a disaster for decades in this state.
A fine assessment of the candidates. I’m sticking with Valerie Foushee. I like and respect Nida Allam, but I find NO reason to change now. Foushee has been reliable and deserves another term. I hope others vote the same way.
I am not entirely opposed to Foushee, but I have two points of concern. First, she has accepted money from AIPAC, which is one of the major protectors of Israel and its dangerous, misguided and counterproductive campaign against Palestine. It is heart-breaking for someone that loved reading Leon Uris, but that campaign can no longer be distinguished from genocide. Second, Foushee is a co-chair of the “Innovation Agenda” which fails entirely to take aim at the structures and policies of neoliberalism which have destroyed the working class and the soul of the Democratic Party. There is nothing - NOTHING - in the “Innovation Agenda” about taking on Wall Street and the banksters and ending the market dictatorship of financialization. As Matt Stoller summarized it, "this agenda is about lowering financing costs for powerful firms and subsidizing Wall Street-style financialization and offshoring."
You threaded the needle perfectly and your analysis is correct. Just remember that Chatham county often leads the state in voter turnout so keep your eyes on us.
For most of the '80s I worked at the front desk at the Carolina Inn. Valerie's mother was the head of housekeeping and a stellar person. Valerie comes from a terrific background. I'm delighted with her ascent in politics and am stunned she might have trouble winning the primary.
We *all* want the government to work. But the reality is, it’s not working.
And for people who don’t look like you and me (old white guys), it could be argued it never has. I’m relatively new to the 4th (this version of it at least) but not the area. And it’s not easy for us olds to let go, but I don’t feel at all conflicted about turning over the reins to the ones who’ll have to live here after I’m gone. They have a helluva lot more skin in the game than I do at this point.
Whoever wins in the primary, they’re going to need to have the belly for a knife fight when they get to DC. Because we are way post the point where “going along to get along” is a viable path forward. We’ve been doing that for 25 years and look where it’s got us.
The world order we grew up with is gone. And it’s not coming back. Europe is moving on from the US, Canada is pivoting away too. And you can’t blame them; they didn’t sign up for this clown show, and they’re looking for stability. Hair Furor thinks he’s positioning us to be the controlling power of the Western Hemisphere, but what he’s really setting us up for is a world where the US is standing by itself, or aligned with Putin and Xi (which is probably more likely since that’s been Putin’s goal all along). We are fast approaching what Fareed Zakaria called “The Post-American World” (which I started reading when it came out, never finished but I guess I’ll have to see how it ends now). The only question left is whether we manage to find our place in whatever world order comes next, or if we just become the 21st century version of a 12th century feudal system. Unless the planet decides it’s had enough of our shenanigans and fries us all. Or the AI that the Epstein Administration doesn’t see a need to put limits on makes all of us redundant, and only the Epstein Class can survive.
There is still a chance we can avoid the latter case, but it’s going to require an opposition party that actually opposes the one in power. And the current version does not seem willing to do that, explaining that they are the minority which does limit their options but that never stopped Republicans from being an effective opposition. So we know it can be done. We’ve seen it. Cursed it, maybe, but it’s the reason we have the Heritage Foundation’s ACA and not Medicare for All. Among other things.
Allam got endorsed by von Haefen, which was surprising. Allam strikes me as being a Durham-Chapel Hill denizen. The district is one of the most (worst) gerrymandered in the state, snaking it’s way down to Southwest wake to take what is left of the black population in western Wake into a Durham-dominated district that is 24 percent black. I have not found Foushee very compelling, but I don’t see an Allam constituency south of Franklin St.
Jane and I hosted a fundraiser for Valerie yesterday, our third. More than 70 people showed up in the rain, it was a successful event.
I agree with your characterization of the candidates. In some cases, I might favor the firebrand. But I would not do that at the expense of operational effectiveness.
We have more than enough real work to do, and I regret that this 4th district race is sucking up resources that could be deployed in other places, places where the choice is not between two good Democrats, but between good Democrats and fascist Republicans.
Our problem in Congress is not that we need more vocal progressive representation. We simply need more Democrats.
The Dems that are already in office often vote with the GOP in the US congress.
The Dems in office now have let trump, Wall Street and techbroliarchs loot our treasury and sell our foreign policy to the highest bidders/autocrats who want to see the US fail.
So what will more “centrist” Dems (old school republicans) do for us?
I appreciate the balanced assessment of the two candidates. I also echo the concerns of Tony Wikrent, especially the innovation agenda. I am a professor of ethics in science and technology. I want to share one significant example that demonstrates Mrs. Foushee is out of touch. She is the chair of the AI Task Force. Her statements (http://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/liccardo-leads-introduction-new-democratic-coalitions-innovation-agenda ) and the New Democratic Coalition Innovation Agenda policy statement (https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/imo/media/doc/new_dem_innovation_agenda.pdf ) involve a word salad of nonspecific and misguided actions that reinforce exploitative capitalism and do not protect the public. For example, the section on AI states that Congress should not require licensing and registration nor regulate model development, but “should define undesirable outcomes and regulate incrementally…” This is the equivalent of herding cats. AI is expanding at break-neck speed and regulation to protect the public is light years behind. The statement goes on to say, “Regulations should penalize harmful misuse of AI, including fraud, deception, and invasions of individual privacy, rather than penalizing the underlying tools…" By focusing on bad actors, this is ignores the fact of government and private industry surveilling and tracking our movements, search histories, purchases, and social media feeds in order to manipulate us. Tech companies and political organizations are already exploiting us through surveillance capitalism and political propaganda. This represents an attack and erosion of our individual freedom. Technology reinforces existing hierarchies and structures that exploit the weak and powerless. Congress has consistently avoided, taking action to regulate AI for the public good, thereby allowing tech companies to increase their power and invasiveness of our lives. Experts in the field know that these statements are just words unsupported by no relevant action. The statement says that the public will receive information regarding how AI affects their lives. To date, she has not published any information. To me, she represents business as usual. Support for her voiced in these comments involve sticking with the status quo and fear of giving Republicans ammunition of association with the gang. It seems to me this is a time for action, not passivity.
I covered politicians as a reporter on four small daily newspapers for eight years (Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee). I covered campaign appearances by three former US Presidents (first Bush, Carter, Reagan) and six US Senators including Al Gore and the late Howard Baker and Al Gore. I also covered two of the least effective US Representatives ever John E Hunt of New Jersey and James H Quillen of Tennessee. I attended a town hall Rep Foushee held in Carrboro last year. My impression:because Commissioner Allam is endorsed by Bernie Sanders and associated with others in "The Squad" including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, nominating her as the Democratic Party candidate gives NC Republicans a viable message to use against Roy Cooper and other candidates: "Look here they've nominated another pro Bernie Sanders AOC and Omar." That plays well for Republicans with independent voters in North Carolina.
Not only do I agree with you, which I almost always do, I'm worried about the Squad connection because of antisemitism. Allam has had to apologize for comments she's made. Rep. Foushee has endorsements from very liberal and young representatives in the House, such as Rep. Frost. I think that says a lot since these are the people who know her best from working with her. Rep. Foushee has voted to the left of members in Congress 84% of the time and has the experience. Frankly, I'm concerned about losing her.
As someone who was born and raised in Raleigh, I appreciate the info on this important primary. I’m glad there are two capable women running for office. However, I would like some clarification on this part of your piece:
“If Allam wins, I hope she will stand up for more than just immigrant and minority groups who have transformed Durham. I hope she will also reach out to the people who have lost their cultural foundations because of those changes.”
I would sincerely like to know what you mean by “cultural foundations.”
What does that mean to you and what do you think that means to others?
Why do you think they’re “lost”?
And where exactly do you think those cultural foundations have gone?
It seems a bit xenophobic to assume that candidate Allam “will stand up” for
“just immigrant and minority groups who have transformed Durham.”
Is there any fact-based evidence that she doesn’t plan to represent ALL of her constituents if elected?
Did you hope that the first time Fouchee ran that she wouldn’t only be interested in civil rights as well?
It’s time to move on with an opposition party that is ready to meet the moment and fight for their constituents instead of their donors.
Business as usual has been a disaster for decades in this state.
Time for a change.
May the appropriate woman for the moment win.
A fine assessment of the candidates. I’m sticking with Valerie Foushee. I like and respect Nida Allam, but I find NO reason to change now. Foushee has been reliable and deserves another term. I hope others vote the same way.
I am not entirely opposed to Foushee, but I have two points of concern. First, she has accepted money from AIPAC, which is one of the major protectors of Israel and its dangerous, misguided and counterproductive campaign against Palestine. It is heart-breaking for someone that loved reading Leon Uris, but that campaign can no longer be distinguished from genocide. Second, Foushee is a co-chair of the “Innovation Agenda” which fails entirely to take aim at the structures and policies of neoliberalism which have destroyed the working class and the soul of the Democratic Party. There is nothing - NOTHING - in the “Innovation Agenda” about taking on Wall Street and the banksters and ending the market dictatorship of financialization. As Matt Stoller summarized it, "this agenda is about lowering financing costs for powerful firms and subsidizing Wall Street-style financialization and offshoring."
This is one reason why we need new blood in the Dem party. We need candidates who are not dependent on Wall Street or AIPAC.
Totally agree on the Leon Uris books from my youth and what Israel is doing now.
You threaded the needle perfectly and your analysis is correct. Just remember that Chatham county often leads the state in voter turnout so keep your eyes on us.
For most of the '80s I worked at the front desk at the Carolina Inn. Valerie's mother was the head of housekeeping and a stellar person. Valerie comes from a terrific background. I'm delighted with her ascent in politics and am stunned she might have trouble winning the primary.
We *all* want the government to work. But the reality is, it’s not working.
And for people who don’t look like you and me (old white guys), it could be argued it never has. I’m relatively new to the 4th (this version of it at least) but not the area. And it’s not easy for us olds to let go, but I don’t feel at all conflicted about turning over the reins to the ones who’ll have to live here after I’m gone. They have a helluva lot more skin in the game than I do at this point.
Whoever wins in the primary, they’re going to need to have the belly for a knife fight when they get to DC. Because we are way post the point where “going along to get along” is a viable path forward. We’ve been doing that for 25 years and look where it’s got us.
The world order we grew up with is gone. And it’s not coming back. Europe is moving on from the US, Canada is pivoting away too. And you can’t blame them; they didn’t sign up for this clown show, and they’re looking for stability. Hair Furor thinks he’s positioning us to be the controlling power of the Western Hemisphere, but what he’s really setting us up for is a world where the US is standing by itself, or aligned with Putin and Xi (which is probably more likely since that’s been Putin’s goal all along). We are fast approaching what Fareed Zakaria called “The Post-American World” (which I started reading when it came out, never finished but I guess I’ll have to see how it ends now). The only question left is whether we manage to find our place in whatever world order comes next, or if we just become the 21st century version of a 12th century feudal system. Unless the planet decides it’s had enough of our shenanigans and fries us all. Or the AI that the Epstein Administration doesn’t see a need to put limits on makes all of us redundant, and only the Epstein Class can survive.
There is still a chance we can avoid the latter case, but it’s going to require an opposition party that actually opposes the one in power. And the current version does not seem willing to do that, explaining that they are the minority which does limit their options but that never stopped Republicans from being an effective opposition. So we know it can be done. We’ve seen it. Cursed it, maybe, but it’s the reason we have the Heritage Foundation’s ACA and not Medicare for All. Among other things.
Bravo! This is the spirit! I agree with everything you wrote here. That is the way forward.
Allam got endorsed by von Haefen, which was surprising. Allam strikes me as being a Durham-Chapel Hill denizen. The district is one of the most (worst) gerrymandered in the state, snaking it’s way down to Southwest wake to take what is left of the black population in western Wake into a Durham-dominated district that is 24 percent black. I have not found Foushee very compelling, but I don’t see an Allam constituency south of Franklin St.
Jane and I hosted a fundraiser for Valerie yesterday, our third. More than 70 people showed up in the rain, it was a successful event.
I agree with your characterization of the candidates. In some cases, I might favor the firebrand. But I would not do that at the expense of operational effectiveness.
We have more than enough real work to do, and I regret that this 4th district race is sucking up resources that could be deployed in other places, places where the choice is not between two good Democrats, but between good Democrats and fascist Republicans.
Our problem in Congress is not that we need more vocal progressive representation. We simply need more Democrats.
Please see my comment above
The Dems that are already in office often vote with the GOP in the US congress.
The Dems in office now have let trump, Wall Street and techbroliarchs loot our treasury and sell our foreign policy to the highest bidders/autocrats who want to see the US fail.
So what will more “centrist” Dems (old school republicans) do for us?
Valerie Foushee is hardly a centrist. She's one of the most left leaning in Congress and has lots of experience.