"Deeply Disturbing" - proposed NCDP State Party Chair

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

The "consensus" pick for NCDP State Party Chair appears to be a veer towards the right, rather than
a choice to defend progressive values. If the State Party Chair is more pro business, anti union, and even tried to get NC's paper ballot law gutted - what kind of candidates will he promote?

In Deeply disturbing Fri, 01/23/2009 "Blue South" writes about Young's history of opposing collective bargaining:

There have been and will always be arguments over what it means to be a Democrat, and what sort of values our party has. But at its very core, the Democratic Party is about putting people first. It is about standing up for the voiceless at all times. And right now I am not convinced that David Young will do that....In 2004, at a County Commission meeting Young said the following:

Keever commented: "Certainly we would like to keep businesses here. But if we err, I would hope we would err on the side of those who are most needy." Young shot back, "I would hope we would err on the side of business."

Among commenters to the blog, even NC State Senator Phil Berger was concerned enough to post to the Blue NC blog r/e David Young. Go to the above links to read the many comments.

Another political blog, "Talking About Politics" explains how the Gov's support of David Young for State Party Chair came about:


Bev, Jerry and the Two Davids Jan 23, 2009

How did David Young suddenly emerge as the leading candidate for Democratic Party chair? Here’s the story from one party insider:

Governor Perdue was supporting David Parker, a long-time party activist who has wanted to be chair for years. But Chairman Jerry Meek didn’t like being told what to do. He reminded the Governor that he beat then-Governor Easley’s pick for chair four years ago.

Perdue made a strategic retreat. She and Meek agreed to back Young. Perdue called Parker, and he agreed to step aside.

The Governor didn’t need that fight now. That’s another smart move in what has been a remarkably successful launch for her administration.

She also did a good job Thursday night handling a live interview with WRAL at the big party fundraiser for her birthday. The reporter was primed with tough questions about whether the fundraiser would pay off her loan to her campaign. She said no (at least, I think she said no) after disarming the reporter: “Where’s my gift?” She smiled throughout, looked unruffled and escaped unscathed.

[unc70]

1. This certainly raises some red flags for me. Any comment from Jerry Meek?

I have not been watching this as closely as might normally (some large personal distractions right now), but reading the responses at those sites, particularly by Young himself, is causing alarms to go off.

Has Jerry Meek responded anywhere on this topic? Has his position been portrayed accurately?

I need to do some more research tonight. Which groups are pushing for Young and why? What else is going on?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. Under the Dome: Jerry Meek, Bev Perdue, Walter Dalton, Janet Cowell, Larry Kissell

Young running for Democratic state chair
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on January 22, 2009 - 6:13pm.

David Young is running for state Democratic Party chair — and he's got some strong backers.

The former Buncombe County commissioner announced the support of outgoing state chair Jerry Meek, Gov. Beverly Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, state Treasurer Janet Cowell and U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell, among others.

In an e-mail to Democrats sent today, Young said he would strengthen county parties, focus on all 100 counties, maintain staff diversity, continue technological advancement and boost fundraising.

"As a self-employed entrepreneur, I have the ability to commit the time necessary to do the job. I will be in Raleigh — and all over the state — to ensure that the job is done right," he wrote.

After an unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer last spring, Young started a boutique firm offering local government consulting.

The party's executive committee will meet the Saturday after next to decide on the new chair.

....more at the link
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/young_running_for_democratic_state_chair

From the sound of things, David Parker would have been the strongest candidate for progressives.
The other candidates have not gotten as much support.