Former NC legislator Cal Cunningham issued a statement he has decided against running for Lieutenant Governor according to reports on Monday.
Testing the waters before the North Carolina Democratic Party's meeting in Greensboro Saturday Cunningham teased Democrats about a possible bid. Sources say the chilly reception by the hundreds of State Executive Committee members may have more to do with Cunningham declining to run than the short campaign window he blames.
"Elizabeth and I did not plan for a campaign this year," Cunningham said in a statement. "After careful reflection, I've concluded we cannot balance our existing professional, financial and family commitments with the full time demands of a statewide campaign at this late hour. The only responsible decision under present circumstances is not to run.
With the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign still fresh in their minds, many democrats blame Cunningham for re-electing Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr by forcing an expensive run-off primary campaign against the party's clear front runner Elaine Marshall, NC Secretary of State. Marshall had an overwhelming lead in the primary election but not enough to win the seat outright. Relative newbie Cunningham forced a primary run-off which he lost by a wide margin -- but not before depleting much of Marshall's campaign war chest. The primary run-off cost Marshall much needed campaign money to effectively run against the well-heeled Burr who spent a small fortune on television ads.
The vastly under-experienced and overly-ambitious Cunningham is a sore reminder to many democratic women (at least those who were at the SEC meeting) that just being a white, male candidate often trumps more qualified female candidates for party support and promotion.
"Undeniably, Cunningham is camera-friendly (read: pretty) but his" Dan Quailesque qualities can't overcome Cunningham's lack of political experience and depth. Democrats need only to recall John Edwards' quick jump from a one-term senator to vice-presidential nominee to realize our party leaders need to think beyond the visual -- the stereotypical camera-ready, male politician with perfect hair. Pretty, alone, doesn't get it done. (Before you gripe about the Edwards comparison, remember no one knew then about Edwards mistress problems. Edwards lost his bid due to his shallow, political experience).
If the NCDP expects to retain the Governor and Lieutenant Governor offices, it needs to recognize there is much larger pool of available talent (read: women). If the party chooses to only run female candidates when there are no suitable male candidates to promote, it only has itself to blame. And the party shouldn't be surprised to find the majority of its own base (yes, women) isn't all that motivated to vote if they're bored or embarrassed by their own party's nominees.
