NC-Sen: Hagan’s husband part of controversial country club

(SSP management note: The original diary title was a bit inflammatory and misleading — I edited it to tone it down a notch. I think we need to take a chill pill here for a moment.)

just breaking — this could really f-up our chances in NC…

from politico…

The husband of North Carolina Democratic Senate hopeful Kay Hagan is a lifelong member of an exclusive country club that didn’t admit its first black member until 1995, Hagan’s campaign disclosed Tuesday.

Charles “Chip” Hagan III, a businessman and former Democratic county leader, “supported opening up membership” at the 1,000-member Greensboro Country Club – but remained a member for years despite his opposition to the club’s de facto segregation policy, Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan told Politico.

Kay Hagan, who is counting on strong support among North Carolina’s black Democrats to unseat Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole, has never been a member of the club herself, Flanagan added.

“Chip supported broadening the membership to include African Americans and others,” she said. “Though it took longer than it should have, Greensboro County Club fully desegregated in 1995 and remains so today.”

Hagan, a state senator and niece of former Florida Sen. Lawton Chiles, leads Dole by one to three points in a race that is one of the most bitterly fought in the country.  

NC-Sen – Hagan 49, Dole 42

http://www.publicpolicypolling…

Kay Hagan has expanded her lead over Liddy Dole to 7 points, 49-42.  Those rocking chair guys have been brutal to Liddy.

And then there’s that other race: Obama 51, McCain 44.

Meanwhile, thru the first 4 days of early voting in NC, the record-setting turnout has been 62% DEM, 21% GOP, 17% Ind. This compares to the registration that is 46% DEM, 32% GOP, 22% Ind.  This cannot be anything but good news for Democrats up and down the ballot.