Tuesday, August 26, 2008 — Despite Monday evening’s light drizzle, Larry Kissell was knocking on doors in Albemarle and delivering his message for the 8th District.
The Biscoe Democrat, a school teacher and former hosiery executive, is challenging incumbent Congressman Robin Hayes for the second time.
Hayes won in 2006 by 329 total votes and Kissell is more confident than ever that 2008 will be his year.
The energy issue was one key for Kissell as he greeted folks at their front doors.
“We’re still talking and trying to solve our energy issues. I’m from Montgomery County, a school teacher and I know what average working people are going through with $4 a gallon gas,” Kissell said.
“Somehow, our legislators have gotten disconnected with us average people and I’ll change that.”
As a former hosiery executive, Kissell spoke from his first-hand experience with the demise of the textile industry.
“I worked in textiles for 27 years and have seen unemployment doubled in the 8th District under (Robin) Hayes,” Kissell said.
“These are people I know, people I go to church with and people whose children I teach.”
Then, there was discussion of America’s $3 trillion deficit that exists today.
“Under President (Bill) Clinton, the national budget was balanced and there was a surplus, but over the last eight years, we’ve built a $3 trillion deficit with predictions for more of the same,” Kissell said.
“We can’t just continue to do that.”
As for solving these problems, Kissell said he favors new drilling and the uncovering of oil reserves that were closed when oil was $20 a barrel.
“We’ve got to solve this once and for all,” he said.
“We’re Americans, we solve our own problems. Just like President John Kennedy when he gave us the challenge to go to the moon. He didn’t challenge us because it was easy, but because it was difficult.
“We need to be challenged and we need to start drilling.”
Another point Kissell made was that American oil companies are exporting more gasoline than anytime since the end of World War II.
“You don’t hear a lot about that,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure that we keep that product here.”
Kissell found a lot of respect at the front door of Perry Duke’s home.
“I was very impressed with the race you ran the last time,” said Duke, a former teacher himself.
“We’re selling ourselves short and don’t think we can solve our problems. We need leaders that will challenge us.”
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