Posted on 03/17/2014 6:17:05 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper
Clay Aiken's appearance here recently seemed as much a fan tour as a campaign stop.
The former American Idol contestant and current Democratic candidate for the Second Congressional District was at Di'lishi Frozen Yogurt Bar to meet people and have his picture made with them. Some talked politics while others just seemed to want to see and touch him.
Marlo Francis, owner of Di'lishi, said the event was the result of a friendship between Aiken and Lane Ragsdale, who works at the N.C. Zoo.
"Clay's PR person asked me about visiting the Zoo," said Ragsdale, who added that Aiken's Zoo visit initiated a friendship between the two. "I'm honored by his friendship," Ragsdale said. "I'm glad he's able to come through today."
Ragsdale said Aiken's campaign business manager contacted him about Thursday's stop. Di'lishi was chosen since Aiken had patronized the yogurt bar while visiting the Zoo.
After about 40 minutes of pressing the flesh and posing for photos, Aiken sat down with this reporter to answer questions about his campaign. First, why did he decide to run?
"It's got to the point that's so frustrating to me that nobody (in Washington) is talking to each other," he said. "Nobody is willing to compromise."
Aiken said he'd visited with Congressmen in the Capitol who wouldn't speak to colleagues of the other party who were in the room. He said he thinks that with his public profile he can help change the situation.
Gridlock in Congress, Aiken said, has made the public apathetic. "We can get them to pay attention to this election," he said. "We have to hold our representatives accountable."
As for issues, Aiken listed unemployment, particularly among veterans.
"The unemployment rate in North Carolina is still too high," he said. "We need to address jobs going overseas and try to stop the flow offshore. We need training for new types of jobs."
Aiken said his brother is a Marine veteran and has had a difficult time finding work. He said unemployment among vets is four points higher than the general population. "That's embarrassing."
Then he brought the conversation back to the situation in Congress: "People are not willing to sit down and talk across the aisle," Aiken said. "How do you work with somebody and not even be friendly? Find a way to work together."
Asked about Keith Crisco of Asheboro, his opponent in the Democratic primary, Aiken said, "He has an incredible record as a lifelong public servant. I appreciate what he's done. But it's time for a change."
Aiken said he hopes to "put energy into" the race ... and get people to pay attention.
What a circus campaign.
I agree. Democrats have refused to work with Conservatives, so whenever some Democrat says that there is not enough compromise in Washington, it means that Republicans are not caving as much as hoped. It’s a one-way street.
Fine. If they are so extremist that they will not work with us at all, we’ll just have to defeat them, that’s all...by publicizing to the American people (it’s not like the media will do it) the predictable results of liberalism (Detroit, California, essentially an $80 trillion dollar National Debt, a rapidly devaluing dollar, the destruction of the Black family, the devolution of education due to the government monopoly).
I hope he's directing that statement to Pelosi and Reid.
What a circus COUNTRY we have become......VERY SAD.
“After about 40 minutes of pressing the flesh and posing for photos, Aiken sat down with this reporter to answer questions about his campaign”
Be careful with what he is “pressing flesh” with.
“Text 90124 to vote for Clay!”
American politics descends further into the gutter, as if that’s even possible...
From American Idol to touring frozen yogurt bars.
Seems fitting.
We have enough sodomites and morons in Washington already, sorry Clay.
omgg... I don’t think I will be able to stend the gushing puke-fest that his campaign is going to be
“Clay’s PR person asked me about visiting the Zoo,”
Why?
It’s not like he’s easily recognizable....
Aiken said he’d visited with Congressmen in the Capitol who wouldn’t speak to colleagues of the other party who were in the room.
Total Bull Shiite. These guys talk to each other believe me.
He said he thinks that with his public profile he can help change the situation.
Gridlock in Congress, Aiken said, has made the public apathetic. “We can get them to pay attention to this election,” he said. “We have to hold our representatives accountable.”
Whatever, Sweet Heart...
Any chance this clown will actually win???
Circus is right. Its a low rent version of the Trump for President campaign. You have a has-been (or never-been) who is trying to gin up a little publicity for himself and find a way to get back into the spotlight.
Yeah this country needs more girly men in positions of power like it needs a hole in the...
Never mind.
“Dazzles”, huh? Seems about right. Was he wearing sequins?
He’s a nice guy but very naive. If you haven’t learned how to deal with political types, they will eat you alive. That is why idealistic people who go to Washington either become very cynical or retire after a couple of terms.
I think he absolutely could win. His very loyal remaining fans have money and they are more than willing to to spend it on his campaign and also are & will network relentlessly for him.
Next to Crisco (his main D opponent) he comes across bright, young and enthusiastic and has an “Aw shucks, Opie” quality that many find endearing. Plus, Renee Ellmers (R) has been making some very stupid gaffes, including ignorant statements about him. She needs to do her homework.
He’s not your typical Hollywood idiot, I would not dismiss him as lightly as many here seem to be doing.
This is the liberals newest, most fake, scam:
“they won’t work with us, they won’t get along”.
Getting along is one thing, but that DOESN’T MEAN that we give up our beliefs. That dog is waaaay dead!!
LOL, that's about what I thought. "FABULOUS!"
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