The reason why Lawson "sounds" progressive is centered in his consistent philosophy of freedom, half of which most Indy subscribers support. Freedom allows the individual to be the master of their own destiny. The freedom to not only make their own decisions in life, but also to reap the rewards or suffer the consequences of such decisions. The antiquated paradigm of left/right can be boiled down to whether one advocates individual freedom across the board, in both personal and fiscal decisions. It seems as if the mainstream libs/cons advocate freedom in one realm while advocating totalitarianism (usually cast in some sort of apologetic tone centered around the theme "for the greater good") in the other. These pitiful individuals seem to suffer from a severe case of political schizophrenia.

It will be interesting to see how Lawson fares in a GOP primary with at least somewhat serious competition from the party's mainstream. In 2008, B.J. stuck to the typical GOP line in the western Wake suburbs but went around Durham and Chapel Hill saying he wanted to go to DC to work with Dennis Kuchinich and attacking Price for supporting the troops and failing to impeach President Bush. Who knows how much was genuine or just political convenience, but he got away with it in 2008 with the public and media fixated on the higher-profile races. I assume Roche's opposition researchers won't have much trouble putting together a thick file.

If he makes it to the general, B.J.'s selective "progressive" taking points should be viewed in context. This is a libertarian who likes the gold standard and thinks Social Security, Medicare, federal funding for education and research, etc. are unconstitutional. That might fly in some wealthy and culturally indifferent suburbs, but it's a pretty terrible ideological fit for the Triangle as a whole.

It certainly will be an interesting election if Lawson wins the Primary. In 2008 when most of the district seemed to vote a straight ticket, Lawson still did better than any candidate running against Price in recent memory. This year the voters who turn out will definitely be a different crowd than for the last Presidential election year. I do, however, feel like Lawson inspires the same type of call to action for the youth that Obama attracted, and we certainly saw that type of support for him in '08. He has a "wake up call" style of speaking and you can tell he personally cares a great deal about the country's debt and lack of plan.

Lawson never gave different messages to the GOPers in Cary and the Democrats in Carrboro; the fact is that it's not a good idea to fight imperialistic wars as a liberal or conservative or a moose and thats how he campaigned. A good fiscal strategy would mean a healthier Triangle, right now we have merely federalized our local problems. Lawson's concerns about our federal monetary situation and programs we fund are born out of issues we see in the district.

Ive always liked Lawson a lot because hes a guy that forces you to ignore labels (Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal, etc.) when critiquing him; he doesnt agree with EVERYTHING on any party platform and he was the first one to say it. He was so hated by major elements in both parties in 08, it made for a humorous exhibit of voters willingness to ignore issues in favor of party lines. I really didnt like the way Lisa just executed Lawson at the end of his bit with one short sentence: He doesnt support Roe V. Wade. He deserves much more from that from the Independent, a weekly that has run multiple pieces highlighting issues that are closest to Lawsons heart. Hes an interesting guy, I hope and think hes the new face of politicsand Lisa, you would have interested your readers more by closing his bit with He doesnt support the death penalty.

I find it very interesting that Price has just voted nay on a resolution to debate our prolonged war in Afghanistan, whereas Lawson has repeatedly announced that he does not support continued war in the country and would likely vote yea on the resolution. I wonder how much longer Indy progressives will continue to stick their collective fingers in their ears about this country's insistence on being the world cop. Oh well, as they say: "party first, party always"