N.C. Senate hopeful opens up to UNC students
Online Exclusive
By: Rebecca Putterman, Assistant State & National Editor
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: State & National
As a local businessman and UNC alumnus, Jim Neal was familiar with 105 Gardner Hall, having spent two lecture courses inside its walls. On Thursday he returned to gather student support for his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Students from Young Democrats and UNC's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance sponsored the opportunity for students to question the man hoping to replace Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the incumbent Republican.
"I think it's important that those of us running for office listen," Neal said as he embarked on a five-minute lecture followed by about an hour's worth of student questions.
Neal is running as a "real-world" candidate, someone who has no history in politics and thinks that he can do better for North Carolina and the country as someone outside the Washington, D.C. circle.
"It's our democracy," he emphasized. "And the problem that I see with our democracy is that we keep sending to Washington too many politicians."
Most of the students were Democrats who knew little about Neal or supporters of the LGBT community who wanted to familiarize themselves with the platform of this openly gay candidate.
"I just came with some friends," freshman Lydia Lewallan said. "I historically have not been very interested or informed about politics, but now that I can vote in '08 I'm informing myself."
Sarah Smith, an executive board member for Young Democrats, said she was not yet aware of the differences between the two Democratic candidates vying for Dole's seat.
Kay Hagan, Neal's Democratic rival, is expected to speak at a Feb. 25 Young Democrats' meeting.
Student Body President Eve Carson introduced Neal to the crowd, saying it was people like Neal who could re-establish the relationship between people and politicians.
In a room filled mostly with Democratic supporters, the anticipation of change was reminiscent of an Obama rally.
"If hope has always been a metaphor in elections, the metaphor for the 2008 election is change," Neal said.
Students from Young Democrats and UNC's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance sponsored the opportunity for students to question the man hoping to replace Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the incumbent Republican.
"I think it's important that those of us running for office listen," Neal said as he embarked on a five-minute lecture followed by about an hour's worth of student questions.
Neal is running as a "real-world" candidate, someone who has no history in politics and thinks that he can do better for North Carolina and the country as someone outside the Washington, D.C. circle.
"It's our democracy," he emphasized. "And the problem that I see with our democracy is that we keep sending to Washington too many politicians."
Most of the students were Democrats who knew little about Neal or supporters of the LGBT community who wanted to familiarize themselves with the platform of this openly gay candidate.
"I just came with some friends," freshman Lydia Lewallan said. "I historically have not been very interested or informed about politics, but now that I can vote in '08 I'm informing myself."
Sarah Smith, an executive board member for Young Democrats, said she was not yet aware of the differences between the two Democratic candidates vying for Dole's seat.
Kay Hagan, Neal's Democratic rival, is expected to speak at a Feb. 25 Young Democrats' meeting.
Student Body President Eve Carson introduced Neal to the crowd, saying it was people like Neal who could re-establish the relationship between people and politicians.
In a room filled mostly with Democratic supporters, the anticipation of change was reminiscent of an Obama rally.
"If hope has always been a metaphor in elections, the metaphor for the 2008 election is change," Neal said.
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