Larry Kissell: Red, White and Blue

Summary

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In [Robin Hayes], though, he's up against a formidable opponent, a wealthy heir to the Cannon Mills textile fortune who served in the General Assembly, was the Republican candidate for governor in 1996, and has easily held what should be a swing congressional district for eight years on the strength of his gregarious personality. It's not because of his record, anyway. Hayes has cast two very unpopular votes, given his district, in favor of CAFTA-the Central America Free ' Trade Agreement, which accelerated the departure of American textile plants to the Caribbean basin-and in favor of the "fast-track" authority that prevents Congress from amending a trade deal negotiated by the White House. (It can only vote yes or no.)

Early on, [Larry Kissell] isn't even the favorite in the Democratic primary. An Iraq war vet jumps in, and everybody's excited because, though both men are anti-war, this vet is a. "fighting Democrat"-except that he soon drops out. Which causes the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), whose job it is to raise money nationally for the close, "targeted" races, to decide that the 8th district is hopeless.

I hear that question a lot I think you have to go back to your core values. I stated them on my Web site, the very first thing I did, "Why Washington?" And nowhere does it say that I want to be part of the system, in all regards it's to try to change the system. And I, first and foremost, will always try to be what's best for the district That will be the driving force at all times. And if that means that I'm going to be in cohesion with my party or in conflict with my party, I've said whether you vote for a bill or not shouldn't be about whether it's Democrat or Republican, it's is it a good or bad bill. And it should be based upon your people, your constituency.... No, and I'm not looking at Washington as-I'm looking to do the things that need to be done, not how do I get in here for life, or what's my next move. That's not who I am.

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Larry Kissell: Red, White and Blue

When I realized this issue of the Independent would come out on July H, and especially when I saw our red, white and blue cover, I thought of Larry Kissell, candidate for Congress in the 8th District of North Carolina. Call me sentimental, but I still believe in an America where good people can run for office and sometimes even ...

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