Gary Pearce posted on September 04, 2009 08:31
One Big Name mentioned as a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate should be taken seriously: Dennis Wicker.
Wicker reminds me of Jim Hunt circa 1992. Wicker has grown since an election defeat eight years earlier. The lessons from that loss – plus his experience in the private sector – could make him a stronger candidate than ever.
Wicker, like Erskine Bowles, is one of those politicians I helped make what he is today: not an elected official.
I directed Dennis’ campaign against Mike Easley in the 2000 primary, and we took a whipping.
Maybe Wicker’s slogan could be: I told you I’d be a better governor than Easley.
Since 2000, Wicker has remade himself into successful Raleigh lawyer. He’s also done something few people accomplish: lost a bunch of weight and kept it off.
Dennis is disciplined. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. He has the right instincts on issues. He is a master of the legislative process.
If he runs, he’ll be a good candidate. If he wins, he’ll be a great Senator.
My only question is the one Bert Bennett always asked: Is he burning up to run? Maybe not, but maybe that’s good.