"There has never been a time when government has been more important in the lives of Americans."

Dan Forest Sides With Reckless ReOpen NC Movement

(From NCDP) Last Tuesday, ReOpenNC held its third protest, where protesters violated social distancing guidelines and Governor Cooper’s executive order on mass gatherings. Lt. Governor Dan Forest has consistently tried to capitalize on the pandemic to score political points—his proximity to ReOpen NC is evidence of that. Following a number of arrests, will Forest continue to side with ReOpen NC or denounce them?

Prior to her arrest, ReOpen NC organizer Ashley Smith told the press that she has been “taking guidance from” Forest as she mobilizes protesters. In an update video shared in the ReOpen NC Facebook group, Smith also described a Zoom meeting with Forest, “Kristen and I had the honor of having a meeting with Dan Forest which was so cool. He was so encouraging of our cause...and assured us of where his heart is at on this issue.”

Forest said he encouraged ReOpen NC to “just keep everything peaceful and keep everything safe,” adding, “They’re just trying to share their story about why it’s important to return people’s livelihoods.”‘Peaceful’ and ‘safe’ are not words many would use to describe how events unfolded on Tuesday. ReOpen NC co-founder Kristen Elizabeth, encouraged Audrey Whitlock, who tested positive for COVID-19, to show up to Tuesday’s protest with a sign reading: “I survived COVID-19 and so will you.”

So far, Forest has refused to put the safety of North Carolinians first. Instead, he continues to inject confusion and politics into a public health crisis, and apparently operates as a consultant to ReOpen NC. Will he continue to offer his advice and support, or denounce ReOpen NC?

Want to know which North Carolina party is taking COVID-19 seriously? Click here for photographic evidence.

North Carolina Dems Push for Medicaid Expansion as Coronavirus Threatens the Uninsured

(From NCDP) Last week, Democratic legislators from across North Carolina introduced House Bill 1040 to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than half a million North Carolinians.

Representatives James Gailliard (D-25), Sydney Batch (D-37), Scott Brewer (D-66) and Christy Clark (D-98) discussed the renewed effort Wednesday, noting that all 55 House Democrats are co-sponsoring the legislation. “We can no longer sit here and allow $4 billion of your tax dollars to sit in Washington,” said Rep. Sydney Batch, a Holly Springs Democrat, on Wednesday. “We need to bring that money back to our state.”

Closer to home, legislative candidates David Sink, Debbi Fintak and Barbara Yates-Lockamy support a petition for Medicaid Expansion as a means of supporting rural healthcare and rural hospitals. You can sign it here. David Sink is running for Senate District 08, which includes CF02.

North Carolina’s failure, year after year, to expand Medicaid has left the state more vulnerable to public health crises because of the state’s high uninsured population. It’s estimated that Medicaid Expansion would provide insurance for 500,000 people in the state currently without it. Studies also show that the legislation would create more than 37,000 new jobs.

At the national level, Democratic party officials have urged the Trump administration to reopen Obamacare health care exchanges to give the newly unemployed a chance to register for benefits. “The consequences of being uninsured in normal times are already stark. . . but in the age of COVID-19, the consequences of being uninsured are intensely magnified,” said North Carolina Democratic Party chair Wayne Goodwin in a tweet last week. No one should be afraid to seek help when they’re sick because they may not be able to afford it. We must reopen the federal insurance exchange and give Americans access to affordable health care

Recent Polling Data Favors Biden and Cooper

(From WRAL) WRAL polling data released on Tuesday favors Presidential candidate Joe Biden over Donald Trump by a 50 to 45 percent. The survey was conducted on April 23-26. Unsurprisingly, voters who viewed President Trump's performance on the pandemic as critical to their vote favored Biden by 61 to 30 percent. Trump leads by 20 percent among white votes and rural voters and has a sizable lead among Catholics and Protestants. Biden leads among black voters by 70%, moderates by 25% and women by 15%.

Meanwhile, the poll shows that Governor Cooper leads Dan Forest by 57 to 30 percent. Cooper leads in all groups except for evangelical voters. Only 62% of Republicans plan to voter for Forest, compared to 92% who plan to vote for Donald Trump. 25% of Republicans plan to vote for Cooper, who dominates among voters who consider the virus and important voting issue

The poll also found Cal Cunningham in a tie with Thom Tillis, if the election were held today. Cunningham wins by a substantial margin among voters who consider the pandemic a major factor in the election.

Of course with polling data now more than a week old, public opinion on Trump's performance may have evolved since the polling was conducted. The President's ridiculous comments on bleach as a cure for COVID 19 were made while the poll was in the field, and the President has since expressed frustration about negative public perception of his handling of the crisis. You can read the polling results for yourself here.

Zapple Convention Comments Available on Facebook

Many Democrats commented on Rob Zapple's excellent remarks at the convention, and several asked if there was a recording. Unfortunately in the rush of managing the meeting behind the scenes, we failed to click the record button. Now Rob has done us the favor of publishing his written remarks on his Elect Rob Zapple Facebook page. You can read them here and it's worth your time, even if you attended the Convention.

EVENTS

NHCDP Virtual Happy Hour Discussion About Hospital Options -- May 4

When: Monday May 4, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join New Hanover Democrats for their weekly Virtual Happy Hour. This week we will compare the 6 proposals for NHRMC submitted to the Partnership Advisory Committee. Our presenters will be Gene Merritt, head of Save our Hospital, and Dale Smith, a Mergers and Acquisitions expert who will go into some detail on the proposals.

You can read details on the proposals provided on the NHRMC website here.

You can review a position paper drafted for Save our Hospital here.

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we recommend that you begin your efforts to sign in at 6:30. Use a laptop with a web cam or an iPad if you have one. If you need help, we have two volunteers who will help you get in: Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 and Stephanie Fetzer at (704) 309-3918.

Join by Computer or iPad

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83377271947

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,83377271947#

Dial in

+1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 833 7727 1947

A FREE Evening with Author Wiley Cash in Support of Leslie Cohen -- May 5

When: Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. (Sign-in starts at 6:45 p.m.)

Where: Zoom

Join New Hanover County Commission candidate Leslie Cohen for a free event through Zoom with Wilmingtonian and New York Times bestselling author, Wiley Cash! Enjoy intimate conversation with Cash where he'll discuss his latest novel and give an exclusive look into his upcoming work set in the Cape Fear region. For those who are able, donations will be gratefully accepted.

Click here to get your ticket: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/-1386370354450330368

NHCDP/DOING COVID-19 Check-in Virtual Phone Banks Training -- May 7

When: Thursday, May 7, 3:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Are you getting bored with Netflix and You Tube workouts? You can join our work to be sure everyone gets to vote in November! All you need is a computer or tablet and a phone to work from the safety of your own home on your own schedule!

The Coronavirus has changed literally everything in our society. Of course, our precinct work has had to change drastically. We can no longer knock on doors, but we feel the need to reach out to our fellow Democrats by phone to check-in and ask how they are doing, and also to discuss with them the advisability of applying early for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

Join Zoom Training for Covid 19 Check-in VPB:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81492910952?pwd=NURGRWkzNHJqMGpzTzdhM1N5KzdtZz09

Meeting ID: 814 9291 0952

Password: 007698

Questions? Contact your precinct Chair or email Susanne Werner, [email protected].

A FREE Evening with Author Celia Rivenbark in Support of Marcia Morgan -- May 7

When: Thursday, May 7, 7:00 p.m., VIP reception starts at 6:45 p.m.

Where: Zoom

The campaign to elect Marcia Morgan to the 19th District seat in the North Carolina legislature invites the public to Cocktails with Celia: A FREE Virtual Event. Join Team Marcia as they host Cocktails with Celia, an evening with award-winning syndicated humor columnist and New York Times best-selling author Celia Rivenbark. Get Celia's humorous take on what's happening today and enjoy a fun evening with friends.This is a FREE event but sponsorships are available; sponsors will be invited to an exclusive VIP reception with Celia before the main event.

7th Congressional District Convention -- May 16

When: Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom, details TBA

A Conversation with Justice Earls and Judge Brook -- May 17

When: Sunday, May 17th, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join Justice Anita Earls and Judge Chris Brook for a virtual event on May 17th. Judge Brook was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Cooper in April of 2019 and is running for a full eight year term in November. A contribution is not required to join. To RSVP, please visit bit.ly/judgebrookmay17.

NHCDP Town Hall With Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Auditor Beth Wood -- May 18

When: Monday May 18, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucOqgrTgiH9VhPqKWaVKgHhryXCjrbKVk

State Convention -- June 6

When: Saturday June 6

Where: TBD

We need to elect At-Large delegates to the Democratic National Convention at this meeting. For details about becoming a Delegate, click here. We will be in touch about plans for the convention.

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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