Archive for February 2010
Governor Perdue on (Mis)Management
I have stumbled across a state agency that’s more mismanaged than Lanier Cansler’s. The Virtual Public Schools agency is (theoretically) leading North Carolina into the New Age of Internet education; students in rural areas will be taught in ‘Virtual Classrooms’ where they can learn anything from Chinese to Sanskrit – it’s technological innovation at…
Read MoreElection 2010
Republicans have reason to be confident as filing opens for the 2010 elections. But I’m yet to be convinced this will be another 1994. That year, Democrats – in Raleigh and Washington – were supremely overconfident, all the way to Election Day. Not a problem this time. Still, the cycle favors Republicans.…
Read MoreJust Say No
It’s the one thing you can count on in politicians: hubris. Exhibit A: John Edwards. Exhibit B may be the newly reenergized Republicans in Congress. They’ve gone gaga over Scott Brown – and their new-found ability to block anything President Obama wants. They’re convinced the November elections will be a rerun of…
Read MoreMystery Solved
Now we know why Mike Easley was so, well, weird. He wasn’t just Governor. He was Secret Agent Man. Instead of a number like 007, he had a nom de guerre: Ckin Regnad. This explains the need to keep his whereabouts secret and constantly change his schedule. It’s why he had to conduct…
Read MoreYou Couldn’t Make This Up…
20/20’s story the other night about John Edwards and mistress Rielle Hunter was brutal; after watching Edwards die the death of a thousand cuts I thought, This fellow needs a break and if he doesn’t get one this may end more badly than anyone’s imagined. You couldn’t make up what’s happened to Edwards: Sitting…
Read MoreDemocrats Reforming Again
The pictures of young Ruffin Poole being led into the federal courthouse hand-cuffed has sent Democrats into a frenzy to pass another round of Ethics Reforms â and itâs like âdéjà vuâ all over again. After every scandal (from Jim Black fixing the Lottery Commission to Mike Easleyâs wife getting a $170,000 a year…
Read MoreA Titanic Issue
People who care about North Carolina’s economy are closely watching Governor Perdue on an issue that will say a lot about her leadership. It’s the proposed Titan concrete plant near Wilmington. Fans say Titan, based in Greece, is one of the best companies in the world, ranking high on corporate accountability, environmental responsibility…
Read MoreCorporations and Politics
I’ve been reading about the recent Supreme Court decision that says corporations can spend as much as they want to elect politicians. Now, pragmatically, there’s not much to doubt this ruling is going to be a financial windfall to anyone in the political consulting business. And, theoretically, I’ve got to say more freedom of…
Read MoreBrad and the Banks
Here’s another example of a politician trying to have his cake and eat it too: The other day Congressman Brad Miller bemoaned the Supreme Court ruling on corporations spending money in elections then wailed he’s in hot water because he’s made the banks mad, saying, “I’ve made a real nuisance of myself to the most…
Read MoreBlaming Bush
I have a real problem with the way President Obama blamed George Bush for the budget deficit in his State of the Union speech. But my objection is directly opposite Republicans’. I don’t think Obama blamed Bush enough. As I recall, Ronald Reagan was still blaming Jimmy Carter and the Democrats for everything…
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