Kay Hagan: Angry at BushDole

This post is long overdue, but a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to watch U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole and NC State Senator Kay Hagan speak at an agricultural forum in Raleigh, NC. Though they spoke in separate time slots, Hagan spoke as if she were in a debate.

Dole spoke first, choosing to focus on her experience and her senatorial record. She had a LOT to say, and routinely went over her time limit -- which resulted in the mic being cut off. That said, she is no stranger to public speaking, and even though the mic was cut-off, I could still hear her in the back of the room. That woman's got some pipes!

Dole was a little long-winded, and she should have been aware of the time limits. But, she came across as gracious, friendly, and a class act. Next it was Hagan's turn to speak, and the contrasts in personality were remarkable.

Dole's mic had barely had time to cool off, and Hagan was attacking her. (I have no doubt that Dole was still backstage once this point. I would have been FUMING if I were her. And I was a little disappointed that Dole didn't take back her podium to confront the silly attacks) Hagan was routinely going after Dole and whatever topics that Dole has in common with President Bush. It became ridiculous at one point. I'll break-down Hagan's speech to these main parts:

1) Senator E. Dole and President Bush are in bed together on every topic important to the farmers of NC. (I wonder how Bob feels about this!) :)
2) Hagan has very few suggestions for action or legislation, but at least she isn't Dole.
3) Senator Dole's last name is now BushDole.

Now, I'll have you know that I came into this with an open mind. I'd never heard Hagan, and I wasn't too sure about Dole. Heck, in NC, most of the Democrats here are more conservative than republicans on the Left Coast.

What I don't understand is why Hagan took such a shrill and aggressive stance with this crowd. These are (generally speaking) farmers, owning small / medium businesses. They tend to be conservative, and they want their Senator to be competent, and to get things done. Hagan showed no ability to match any of these points. Her speech lacked specifics, would have been much better received in San Francisco, than rural North Carolina.

Dole is running against Hagan, and Hagan is running against BushDole. Will anybody be listening to what Hagan's saying come election day? I doubt it.