WASHINGTON â€" Clay Aiken, the 2003 runner-up on “American Idol,†officially announced on Wednesday that he is running for Congress in North Carolina. Now it is time to ponder some questions he might face on the stump:
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Clay Aiken 1. Many Democrats in North Carolina have bailed out of Congressional races after being drawn into heavily Republican districts, like the one you are running in. How can you win?
2. What are your thoughts on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership and how it might affect the North Carolina manufacturing industry?
3. What do you think is harder â€" placing in a national singing competition or passing meaningful legislation in Congress?
4 During one talk show appearance, you spoke out against North Carolina’s constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage. Although many people were impressed, do you think it helps or hurts you in this race?
5. Harry Connick Jr: a good addition to the Idol judge panel, or too obtuse?
Mr. Aiken’s announcement video focuses on his abusive father and early difficulties in life, and it only hints at his musical career.
Representative Renee Ellmers, who ran as a Tea Party candidate in 2010 and barely squeaked into office, has dismissed Mr. Aiken as unable to win “Idol†and thus ill-equipped to unseat her. Mr. Aiken suggests that his humble beginnings and time working with children with autism best qualifies him for a seat in the House.
The Second District, which covers some central and Eastern areas of the state, is now overwhelmingly Republican and Ms. Ellmers, a nurse, quickly grew close to her party’s leadership team.
