The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

Erskine Bowles . Three weeks ago, Blue's decision not to endorse Bowles after their tightly contested race was seen as a minor blip, one that would be quickly resolved between the two men. Now, that blip has become, well, a blimp-sized problem that is creating major difficulties for the Democrats. /p>

This week, the North Carolina Association of Educators, which has endorsed Democratic candidates more than 95 percent of the time, announced that, at least for now, it was withholding its endorsement for U.S. Senator. The group of educators had endorsed Blue in the primary, and after post-primary interviews with the two candidates, Bowles and Republican Elizabeth Dole, even seemed to be leaning toward giving the nod to Dole. Bowles's meeting with the group lasted less than ten minutes. Dole spent more than a half-hour with the group, and emerged smiling and laughing with NCAE staffers.

While the NCAE's endorsement isn't viewed as key to a Bowles victory, North Carolina Democratic insiders say it is evidence that Blue's influence in the state (he is a former speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives) remains strong. Meanwhile, the NCAE's reluctance to simply jump on the Bowles bandwagon is hampering Bowles's ability to gain broad-based party support where he needs it most. "Blue isn't playing games here. The two men had serious ideological differences and Bowles hasn't done anything to assure Blue that he's willing to bend on some of those," says a Blue supporter who served with him in the legislature.

One area where the two men disagreed was school choice. Bowles in the past has been more supportive of it than Blue. Hence the NCAE's endorsement quandary. "What's clear is that Blue supporters are sticking by him and won't give Bowles the time of day until he gives Dan the time he deserves," says the Blue supporter.

In the meantime, Bowles continues to stall in the polls, not making up much ground on Dole as the campaign clock ticks closer to election day.

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