Discontent with Iraq war fortifies N.C. Democrats

HIGH POINT -- The last time there was a so-called "blue moon" election, without big statewide and national races to draw voters to the polls, North Carolina Democrats experienced one of the worst drubbings in their history.

But 12 years later, Democrats are hopeful that they can turn the tables, capitalizing on voter doubts about progress in the war in Iraq and dissatisfaction with President Bush.

"If we can get our folks out, we have the best chance in years," said Hayes McNeill, 60, the former Forsyth County Democratic chairman. "I don't know anyone who is for the war. An occupation is what it really is."

More than 800 Democrats gathered in this furniture market city to prepare for the midterm elections by holding their biennial convention.

They were briefed on polling data, tutored on get-out-the-vote efforts, adopted a platform and honored two of the party's heroes, former Govs. Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt.

The Democrats also engaged in a vigorous debate on the party's stance on abortion -- before deciding not to alter its position favoring a women's untrammeled access to abortion.

The Democrats were cautiously optimistic that they can hold control of the state legislature and perhaps pick up two congressional seats held by Republicans Charles Taylor of Brevard and Robin Hayes of Concord.

"Right now, if the election were held today, it would be a good year for the Democrats," said Curtis Bradsher, 69, an insurance executive and former chairman of the Person County Democratic Party. "I think we could win Congress back in control of the Democrats."

That is a far cry from the last "blue moon" election in 1994, when Republicans benefited from an anti-Washington, anti-Clinton backlash to take control of Congress and win the state House of Representatives.

Blue moon elections occur every 12 years in North Carolina when there are no presidential, U.S. Senate or gubernatorial races.

In conservative-leaning North Carolina, it is usually Republicans who try to nationalize state races. But this time, it is Democrats who intend to remind voters what is going on in Washington.

"There are reasons to nationalize the race," said James Andrews, the state AFL-CIO president. "People in this country are hurting in terms of health care. People are concerned about their pensions. Couple that with what is happening in Iraq and the scandals that have taken place."

Even so, Democrats are not breaking out the champagne. They have been disappointed before when trends seem to be going their way, only to be given a rude surprise on Election Day.

"By traditional rules, things should be good for us," said Beth Sibley, 33, a political consultant from Cleveland County. "But we are still in the middle of a war, and voters may not want to change. The terrorism threats and the war still hold strong sway.

"We'd like to make it a referendum on Bush, [Tom] DeLay, [Dick] Cheney and [Jack] Abramoff," she said, referring to the former House majority leader, the vice president and a Republican lobbyist convicted on influence-peddling charges.

Unspoken throughout the convention was any reference to the investigations surrounding Democratic state House Speaker Jim Black, which the Republicans hope to use to their advantage.

Strains showing

There are still strains evident in the Democratic Party.

Gov. Mike Easley was a no-show, as has been his practice at party functions since Jerry Meek defeated his handpicked candidate for party chairman last year.

But Meek also has been able to help bring new blood into the party, including Barry Rogin of Durham, a 50-year-old printing manager for a catalog company who was attending his first state Democratic convention. Rogin became involved in Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign and was still wearing a Dean button. But Rogin has stayed engaged in Democratic politics, in large part because he doesn't like the direction that Bush is taking the country.

There also remain divisions over abortion, where opponents argue that the party's strong support of abortion rights makes it difficult for Democrats to win support in more conservative areas.

Sandy Babb, a former Raleigh City Council member and a strong abortion-rights backer, sought to extend an olive branch to abortion opponents in the party. With the tacit support of Meek, Babb sought to amend the party platform to say that "we understand that not all Democrats agree with every position contained in the platform."

It also would have deleted from the platform language supporting state-funded abortions for poor women and supporting the availability of emergency contraception. But the platform would still support abortion rights.

Babb argued that the Democrats should be the party of "the big tent."

But the amendments were overwhelmingly defeated on a voice vote.

Several anti-abortion Democrats expressed disappointment.

Eva Ritchey of Hendersonville, who is president of the N.C. Pro-Life Democrats, said opponents were being forced "to ride in the back of the bus."

Ray McKinnon, youth pastor at Abundant Life Church in Hillsborough, said he was sticking with the Democrats despite his disappointment.

"My faith does not allow me to support it," McKinnon said. "The party is not pro-choice. It is pro-abortion."