The Fayetteville Observer
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
www.fayobserver.com

Kissell kicks off campaign

By Don Worthington, Staff writer

Larry Kissell officially started his 2008 congressional campaign Monday like he did his unsuccessful 2006 bid — serving barbecue and sweet tea to supporters in his hometown of Biscoe.

There are major differences this time. Kissell, a high school civics teacher, is no longer an unknown. He has the backing of key congressional Democrats — in person and from their checkbooks.

The second change, Kissell said, is "the energy on the ground. People know I can win."

When he ran in 2006, some speculated he would finish fourth in the four-man Democratic Party primary.

Instead, Kissell won the primary and then lost by 329 votes to Republican incumbent Robin Hayes. The 8th District race was the closest congressional election that year.

It wasn't until the last ballots were recounted multiple times that Kissell finally conceded. He started his 2008 campaign within days of the final recount. His effort included courting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — the organization that didn't support him until late in the 2006 campaign.

"There was little or no effort from the national party," state Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek said last week.

"It could have resulted in victory."

On Monday, Rep. Steny Hoyer, the House majority leader, was more blunt.

"We learned we made a mistake," Hoyer said after a tour of the USO facility at the Charlotte airport. "Very frankly, we didn't focus on the race as we could have."

Hoyer said Kissell's new bid would be a "top tier" campaign for the Democrats, but he declined to say how much money national Democrats will contribute to Kissell.

While Hoyer was briefly in Charlotte, he met with Kissell and then attended a fundraiser for Rep. Heath Shuler, the Democrat who represents western North Carolina.

Hoyer said Kissell could have made a similar fundraising, or political, request but he didn't. He asked Hoyer to tour the USO facility. This, Hoyer said, shows Kissell's character.

"Most importantly," Hoyer said. "Kissell understands people."

National Democrats, Hoyer said, are expecting a victory because Kissell is "better known, better organized and better funded," this time around.

Hoyer tried to steer clear of speculation on how the presidential and gubernatorial elections will affect the 8th Congressional District race.

There is a possibility that two women could lead the national and state Democratic ticket. If that happens, it should help Kissell, Hoyer predicted.

"Kitchen table issues are important to women, and women tend to vote Democratic," he said.

Hayes, in a phone interview from Washington, said the money will help Kissell, but dollars come at a price.

"The more visible Kissell becomes, they more he will be associated with the special interests of the left," Hayes said.

Those values, Hayes said, don't play well in his district, especially at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.