Shuler's political ambitions

[Hawkeye-X]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2110619


Former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler plans to run for Congress.

Shuler, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday that he has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission that clear the way for him to run next year in the 11th Congressional District for the U.S. House seat held by Republican Charles Taylor.

Shuler didn't name Taylor in a press release that emphasized pocketbook issues.

"Far too many families in western North Carolina are struggling to earn a decent living, educate their children and pay for health care," Shuler said. "Congress is spending too much time playing partisan politics, instead of working to find solutions to the real problems facing our families."

Shuler was traveling on business Monday and was unavailable for comment, campaign spokesman Randy Flack said.

[democracyindanger]

1. Oh, Heath, if only you were a better NFL QB

But it's great that we've got a high profile former athlete running for office on the good side.

Side note: Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears backup QB (and considering Grossman will get hurt again, calling him 'starter' isn't far off) majored in poli sci, wants to run for the senate someday, and is a self-described Liberal Democrat.

[UrbScotty]

4. Good for Orton!

Best wishes to him!

[libnnc]

2. Big news for WNC

Been trying to get rid of Charles Taylor for years now.

Good luck, Heath.

[Tweed]

3. This could be big

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/NC/H/11/index.html

Last time around, Taylor only got 55% of the vote. He was running against a Univeralist Unitarian too. Maybe I'm sterotyping the area, but I think if Schuler is mainstream Christian, he will mop the floor with Taylor. This doesn't even take the matter of all of the latest bad press and mistakes of Republicans.

If Schuler wins and all the other North Carolina races stay the same, Democrats will hold North Carolina's U.S. House seats 7-6.