Archive for 2009
While Rome Burns
Over at the Federal Courthouse in Raleigh a Grand Jury’s investigating former Governor Easley for corruption. The newspaper reports just before he left office former State Treasurer Richard Moore handed a San Diego hedge fund $500 million in state pension money to invest – then a few weeks after he left office took a…
Read More‘Bailout Burr’
I talked to two seasoned and smart Democrats recently who think that – contrary to all the talk about 2010 being a Republican year – Richard Burr will be vulnerable. One, who watched Burr’s race in 2004, thinks he is a weak campaigner. That year, Burr did in fact campaign as far under the…
Read MoreGeneral Washington and Newt
Not every politician can straddle a fence standing on one leg, but Newt Gingrich can do it and make it look easy. For over a decade Newt’s enthusiasts and supporters have been saying his ‘Contract with America’ was why the Republicans swept the 1994 election – but, in fact, right here in North…
Read MoreTiger and the Rags
Readers of The National Enquirer knew from the beginning what readers and viewers of ESPN, the networks, The News & Observer, The New York Times and all other major media didn’t know until well after Tiger Woods made one of his worst drives ever. Last week, The Enquirer reported that Tiger had been –…
Read MoreRuffin Poole and $500 Million
I’ve never laid eyes on Joe Sinsheimer. Politically he and I walk on opposite sides of the street. But if you ever get the feeling North Carolina politics has turned into a swamp of no-bid contracts and corrupt politicians stop a moment and consider what Sinsheimer has single-handedly done with good old-fashioned hard work –…
Read MoreThe New Republican Strategy for 2010
Back after Obama rolled into the White House and North Carolina turned into a ‘Blue State’ overnight Gary told me wryly, Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to blow it. Now that Republicans are leading in the polls Gary’s looking a bit clairvoyant but, on the other hand, it’s now Republicans who seem…
Read MoreThey All Do It
This is why Republicans won’t get far running against corruption in Raleigh. The Greensboro News & Record reports: “The State Board of Elections has asked Sen. Phil Berger to explain at least three dozen problems found with his campaign finance reports since 2004, ranging from a lack of information to apparently illegal contributions.” Berger’s…
Read MoreTime’s a’wastin’
Next year may be a Republican year, but politics is funny. Polls show Richard Burr getting little more than 40 percent of the vote against a generic Democratic opponent. One problem: No Democratic candidate has yet convinced the party he or she can beat Burr. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is making another run…
Read MoreBev’s Bump
Governor Perdue finally got some good poll news. Public Policy Polling says her approval rating climbed out of the 20s. She’s at 30 percent, with 49 percent disapproval. But why? One theory: It’s because of her fight to keep in prison the 27 inmates the (Republican majority) Supreme Court wants to set free.…
Read MorePayback Time for Nesbitt?
A wise reader – and veteran Raleigh observer – offers this perspective about Senator Martin Nesbitt: “As you’ll recall, Nesbitt was one of Liston Ramsey’s key lieutenants when Liston was overthrown by a coalition of impatient Dems and opportunistic Repubs. Nesbitt was really bitter about what happened, and it probably sidetracked his career for…
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