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Hayes upholds family tradition

Incumbent Republican prepared for sixth term

By Eric Deines | Independent Tribune

Published: October 9, 2008

KANNAPOLIS — Congressman Robin Hayes' family has a long history of fielding phone calls — from residents and high-ranking officials alike.
Hayes (R), who spoke with the Independent Tribune's editorial board Thursday, said his grandfather, textile baron Charles A. Cannon, received a phone call concerning loose chickens, only to be followed by North Carolina leaders seeking bail-out funding in the midst of the Great Depression.
And Hayes, seeking his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, said he continues that family tradition on a daily basis.
"I've got the same telephone number I had when I got married, 41 years ago," said Hayes, 63, adding that he has answered calls about his policy decisions and calls from parents concerned about their child's school situations. "I have come from a long line of activist people."
In this election, Hayes is once again challenged by Democratic candidate Larry Kissell, who lost to Hayes by a narrow margin in 2006 and will meet with the Independent Tribune's editorial board today.
Hayes said he separates himself from Kissell in that Hayes has defined policies for many issues.
"You pick a subject, I have the plan," said Hayes, specifically citing his approval of offshore drilling in areas where there is available oil — including North Carolina's coast.
Hayes said he believes new technologies would allow drilling to have little to no effect on North Carolina's shores, as well as minimize its visual footprint.
"If there is oil there, I say we build now," Hayes said.
Most recently, Hayes voted against the bail out of Wall Street, citing too many special provisions bogged down the bill.
"Nobody at home had been heard," Hayes said.
Hayes' vote, he said, upset some district leaders who believed the bailout was necessary for the U.S. economy.
"There were some who were unhappy at the beginning, and there are some who are still unhappy now," Hayes said.
In his time in Congress, Hayes said he has interacted with both presidential candidates — Sen. John McCain (R) and Sen. Barack Obama (D).
Hayes said he and McCain have "knocked heads" from time to time in that Hayes has supported the production of U.S. military materials in the United States, while McCain is a strong proponent of free trade.
However, he said Obama, who Hayes showed around Capitol Hill on Obama's first day in Washington D.C., is unprepared for the presidency.
"I think (calling Obama dangerous) is an overstatement," he said, referencing recent Republican campaign ads.

• Contact reporter Eric C. Deines: 704-789-9141