Will Wake County school board candidate Heather Losurdo be able to turn things around today thanks to the help of some outside political advice she picked up after the runoff?
After Losurdo only picked up 40 percent of the vote on Oct. 11, the campaign reached out to Jack Hawke to be a consultant for the runoff. Hawke is a longtime figure in state politics, having been the former chairman of the state Republican Party, a former president of the conservative Civitas Institute and a consultant to presumptive GOP gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory.
"I knew we had to change things," Hawke said. "She was 10 points down (as of Oct. 11). I'm proud of what she's done but we had a lot of ground to make up."
Hawke said doing things differently in the runoff meant warning voters about the impact that a Kevin Hill victory could have on things like the new student assignment plan and the future of Superintendent Tony Tata.
Hawke said it also meant reminding voters that the school system faced turmoil from before when the new majority took over, such as the fights under Hill's tenure about mandatory year-round schools, reassignment and Wacky Wednesdays.
"It showed how we got to where we are and how we can move forward," Hawke said.
Hawke says this retooled approach was making headway with voters or else the outside groups like Progress NC Action and Common Sense Matters wouldn't have brought up things like Losurdo's personal bankruptcy, work at the Crescent City Cabaret and questioned her employment at First Union.
"I think we've given a great campaign," Hawke said. "You can tell we're having an impact when they go out and make personal attacks.
Does this means Hawke is predicting Losurdo will win today? He said they'll give Hill a good fight, at the very least.
"Did we make up that 10 points?" Hawke said. "I don't know."
Comments
It Figures
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 17:49 — chaboardCall in the GOP big guns and the recommendation to retool your campaign is....
Hawke said doing things differently in the runoff meant warning voters about the impact that a Kevin Hill victory could have on things like the new student assignment plan and the future of Superintendent Tony Tata.
....lie, lie, lie. It's as predictable as sunrise. But without the beauty.
With all due respect, it
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 15:00 — WhalerCaneWith all due respect, it sounds as if Jack is making excuses for a failed candidacy. I understand. It is hard to make lemons into lemonaide. His message could be interpreted as 'get out there and vote so we do not get beat too bad'. :-)
The truth is neither of us really make that much of a difference, other than a wave, it is the candidates that matter most.
I will reserve comment on involving his other client in the race, what he did right, what was not 'contexutally' accurate, and what likely carried the day until after today's vote.
Keep stretching for the tape. Now back to a precinct.
$
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 16:12 — starsonours"His message could be interpreted as "get out there and vote so we do not get beat too bad". :-)"
Wow that was your campaign message in '09, does he owe you a royalty for using it?
Perhaps. Although I was
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 17:24 — WhalerCanePerhaps. Although I was not involved in the runoff in '09, I definately knew my canidates were in trouble before the October vote.
I was refering to the Oct 09
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 17:32 — starsonoursI was refering to the Oct 09 elections not the 09 runoff.
I am surprised you haven't made any predictions on the runoff. But then again when an incumbent is under 50% predictions are harder to make.
My prediction is the same I
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 17:36 — WhalerCaneMy prediction is the same I had for Nancy McFarlane. Hill 53%. I could easily be wrong as I was with that one.
Can I have the Powerball
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 00:36 — jeffrey1Can I have the Powerball numbers for next week :)
Meaning...
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 13:41 — Jackson_Tybee... he thinks she is going to lose and he is covering his own ass:? "We had a lot of gorund to make up." Yes, you did -- especially after she fell into that deep, dark pit she dug when she lied about her background.
My question to the GOP is WHY? Can you not come up with better qualified candidates than this? You should all be ashamed of yourselves.