Richmond County Daily Journal
Thursday, November 8, 2007
www.yourdailyjournal.com

Democrats honor leaders with dinner

By Stacy Stenberg

Richmond County Democrats cheered on state and national candidates Thursday at the second annual Morrison-Deane-Goodman Democratic Dinner and Rally.

While the dinner honors past Richmond County Democratic leaders, it was current leaders such as state Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, Eighth Congressional candidate Larry Kissell and North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Joe Hackney who were in the spotlight.

Goodwin, who announced earlier in the day that she would seek a third term in the House, received a standing ovation when she took the podium.

She said she has worked to improve education, job growth and promote families while in office. "My constituents drive my agenda," she said.

"I'm not afraid to speak out and answer to you," Goodwin said.

During her introduction of Hackney, Goodwin said he understood issues facing rural North Carolina and Richmond County. He is "a man of tremendous integrity," she said.

Speaker Hackney said Democrats are on a roll.

"I'm excited about where we are in North Carolina and America." He ran down a list of state Houses and Senates which experienced gains in Democratic seats.

"Let's keep it going. It's a good time to be a Democrat," he said.

North Carolina had one of its best legislative sessions held in recent history, Hackney said, citing support of education.

"We as Democrats win on education," he said. "We will support education and Republicans won't."

To compete in the global market, Hackney said the state needs to educate every child and make sure students don't drop out.

Teachers also need to be taken care of, he said such as a recent 5 percent pay raise. The state needs more teachers. Hackney said teachers are being recruited from national and international markets.

"We tried to do things in a better way," he said. "We worked hard to strengthen faith in government."

The House made sure there was open debate. "It's painful to listen to open debate and listen to Republicans," he said.

The House also emphasized being civil and working together, improving the budget and training in ethics.

"We have an excellent group of people in Raleigh," Hackney said.

"We need all types of diversity," he said. "We don't have a lot of youth. Melanie is one of the youngest."

The speaker said Goodwin's experience as an attorney, mom, wife and career woman is needed in Raleigh. He also said Sen. Bill Purcell is one of the most respected men in Raleigh.

"Those who serve appreciate what you do," he said, including support, financial support and getting people out to vote.

Richmond County Democratic Party Chairwoman Svea Strong presented Hackney with a Richmond County history book.

Strong said she was excited about the turnout for the dinner. "To me, it indicates Richmond County is a stronghold of the Democratic Party."

Kissell

Kissell kicked off his 2008 campaign for the Eighth District Congressional seat held by Republican Robin Hayes on Monday in Biscoe, but on Thursday he was rallying people in Richmond.

Before he spoke, many state candidates elicited cheers by saying in 2008 Kissell would be leading the Democratic winning ticket.

The history teacher and former textile worker said he knows that if someone doesn't stand up, then the one in charge wins.

After Hayes won the seat and the recounts were over, Kissell said people told him he needed to run again.

"I believe one person in the Eighth District can make a difference," Kissell said. "Richmond County took this congressional race," he said through its votes for him.

"We do have our work cut out of us," he said.

Kissell said Hayes "now spends his time and efforts to make voters think he's a Democrat."

Kissell said he is the one true Democrat running for the congressional seat.