Cunningham looking at Senate bid | newsobserver.com projects

Former state Sen. Cal Cunningham is sounding more and more like a U.S. Senate candidate.

The Lexington attorney recently sent out a letter to potential backers letting them know that he is continuing to look closely at seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat held by Republican Sen. Richard Burr next year, Rob Christensen reports.

“It is my goal to see if we can put together an issue-based, professional, independent and progressive campaign that would make you proud,” Cunningham wrote in the letter.

“Before I ask you for your support,” Cunningham wrote, “I need to make sure I can look you in the eye, show you a path for victory and tell you where I stand on the issues that really matter in the lives of our citizens.”

Cunningham, who recently returned from Iraq as an Army lawyer, has been moving around the state exploring a possible Senate bid.

Also looking at the race is Kenneth Lewis, an Obama fund raiser from Durham. Other names being mentioned include N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, U.S. Reps. Mike McIntyre and Bob Etheridge and former state Treasurer Richard Moore.

via Cunningham looking at Senate bid | newsobserver.com projects.

Roll Call Newspaper Does Article on Cal Cunningham, 2010 Senate Race

In what appears to be the strongest signal yet that he’s moving toward a Senate bid, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham (D) released a statement to a group of supporters this week detailing his ongoing efforts to build a campaign to challenge Sen. Richard Burr (R) in 2010.

“Over the last few weeks, I have met with many people — from folks going about their daily lives, to interested individuals and party groups, the best state and national consultants, current and former office holders and many close friends,” Cunningham wrote in a letter to the Facebook group “Cal Cunningham for US Senate, 2010.”

“It is my goal to see if we can put together an issue-based, professional, independent and progressive campaign that would make you proud.”

North Carolina: Cunningham Poised to Jump Into Senate Race – Roll Call.

Who’s Making The Laws? Congress, or Lobbyists? « IL Conservative

Apparently, of the seventeen Senators that voted against the recently passed FDA Tobacco bill, many were paid off by tobacco lobbyists. Obviously most, if not, all senators have been paid, but nothing like the amounts below. Some of the senators are:

McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) $419,025

Burr, Richard (R-NC) $359,100

Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA) $228,700

Cantor, Eric (R-VA) $221,340

Whitfield, Ed (R-KY) $218,935

Allen, George (R-VA) $217,600

Dodd, Chris (D-CT) $202,849

Bunning, Jim (R-KY) $194,166

Rangel, Charles B (D-NY) $193,878

Lewis, Ron (R-KY) $191,950

Bliley, Thomas J Jr (R-VA) $190,365

Gordon, Bart (D-TN) $188,200

Hayes, Robin (R-NC) $184,724

Helms, Jesse (R-NC) $180,230

Boehner, John (R-OH) $175,959

Faircloth, Lauch (R-NC) $173,069

Etheridge, Bob (D-NC) $171,000

Jones, Walter B Jr (R-NC) $170,900

Boucher, Rick (D-VA) $164,600

Burns, Conrad (R-MT) $162,700

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The Sampson Independent – City Council adopts budget without tax increase

The City Council officially approved a $13 million fiscal plan and fee schedule Tuesday night that covers the minutiae of the next year’s finances — everything from a $2 million downtown revitalization project to the $1 fee for infant swimming diapers at Royal Lane pool.

The 2009-10 fiscal year budget totals $13,100,401 for all city operations, capital improvements and debt service requirements. That reflects a decrease of $781,582, or 5.63 percent, from the 2008-09 amended budget.

via The Sampson Independent – City Council adopts budget without tax increase.