The Seat That Got Away

North Carolina Democrats had a good year, but it could have been better. Talkingaboutpolitics.com has learned (now, doesn’t that sound pretentious?) that Rahm Emmanuel’s vaunted Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee missed a chance to take out Robin Hayes. A group of North Carolina Democrats were poised to raise last-minute money for Democrat Larry Kissell’s campaign, if…

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Straight Ticket Voting Up

People used to say, I don’t care which party straightens out our country as long as one does. But times have changed. The Charlotte Observer (11-13-06) reports “straight ticket voting” increased 20% in Mecklenburg County this election. Of course, it’s possible that every, say, Democratic candidate in every race was more qualified than his Republican…

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Follow the Money

We may be about to get another glimpse into “backstage politics.” Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed House Speaker Pro-Tem Richard Morgan to testify before the grand jury. What they want to ask Morgan about is a $100,000 donation “a small cigarette manufacturer” gave “a political group” he created in 2004 – a year after Morgan stopped…

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House Democrats

Nothing starts a fight quicker in Congress than the scramble for power. It’s an old story and it’s just happened to Democrats. The election was barely over when they started fighting among themselves to see who will be the ‘powers’ in the new Congress. The big tussle – between Congressman Jack Murtha and Congressman Steny…

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Here’s Something You Don’t See Everyday

UNC President Erskine Bowles is going to ask the legislature to increase the UNC System’s budget 11%. But Bowles has done something unusual. He’s backed his request by cutting what amounts to $440 million in other university spending. For example, he’s cut his own staff 10%. It’s hard to recall anyone else, anywhere else, in…

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Elizabeth Dole’s Tough Three Weeks

Politics is odd but Elizabeth Dole must feel the world turned upside down in the three weeks after the election. The Sunday before the election she was on TV defending Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, saying he didn’t need to resign. Three days later President Bush fired Rumsfeld. Senator Dole was also Chairman of the Republican…

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Straight Ticket Voting Up

People used to say, I don’t care which party straightens out our country as long as one does. But times have changed. The Charlotte Observer (11-13-06) reports “straight ticket voting” increased 20% in Mecklenburg County this election. Of course, it’s possible that every, say, Democratic candidate in every race was more qualified than his Republican…

Read More

Follow the Money

We may be about to get another glimpse into “backstage politics.” Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed House Speaker Pro-Tem Richard Morgan to testify before the grand jury. They want to ask Morgan about is a $100,000 donation “a small cigarette manufacturer” gave “a political group” he created in 2004 – a year after Morgan stopped legislation…

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Judges’ Verdict Is In: TV Beats Turnout

I’m singing one of my favorite songs again: Winning campaigns spend money on media, not turnout. And I have judicial proof in this year’s elections. There appeared to be little pattern in who won the judicial races, which are now officially nonpartisan. Democrat Sarah Parker won big. But Republican Donna Stroud edged Linda Stephens. Here’s…

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No Democratic Dead Zone Here

A recent story in The New York Times asked: “Is the South Truly a Dead Zone for Democrats?” You’d have to be politically brain dead to believe that. Look at North Carolina after the November elections: We’re one of only 15 states with a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both houses of the legislature;…

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