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Back in 2003 two enterprising ladies from the mountains (from the Hamlet of Sparta) went into the business of providing care to Medicaid patients. Seven years later a judge in the mountains put them out of business and sent them to jail for four years – because the two ladies had hoo-dooed Secretary Lanier Cansler’s…

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Italians and Suburbanites

These days we old-fashioned southerners in Raleigh are getting an education about Italians as the war between the Tedescos and Margiottas (who’ve taken over the School Board) and our local ‘Progressives’ (who’re livid at the Italians for ending busing) roars along.   About the only person in town sounding reasonable these days is the News…

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Marshalling Money

Elaine Marshall has to make a tough choice: raise money from Raleigh lobbyists or not.   She already took flak for it in the primary. Her defense: It wasn’t much money, and the donors were old friends.   Now that she’s won, it could be a lot more money. And a lot more flak.  …

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Richard W. Burr?

Richard Burr better hope that debate performances have little impact on the November election – or get better fast.   A lawyer friend (I’m not sure if she’s a Democrat or Republican) went to the Burr-Marshall debate last week at the N.C. Bar Association.   Her take: Marshall was stronger than she expected – and…

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Off the Hook

The Department of Health and Human Services has to be my favorite part of state government – it’s the perfect blend of bungling, chicanery and politics all built on a foundation of good intentions.   Over the past year Secretary Lanier Cansler – who’s sort of a combination of Fagan and Houdini – has been…

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Voices, Rules and Tabloids

Back in the old days in political campaigns there were usually three ‘voices’ talking to voters. Today there’re more voices than anyone can count.   For instance, back in 1984 when Jesse Helms ran against Jim Hunt the three ‘Voices’ voters heard were Helms,’ Hunt’s,  and the press. Twenty-six years later we’re in the middle…

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Runoff Upside

Conventional wisdom is that runoffs are hurtful. Not always.   Elaine Marshall’s runoff helped her. Helped her especially with her most important target right now: the national fundraising community.   If Cunningham hadn’t called for a runoff, doubts would have lingered about Marshall’s electability.   As in: “She couldn’t even get 40 percent against a…

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The Post New South Era

Thirty five years ago when our current Mayor Charles Meeker migrated from Washington to Raleigh our local “Progressive’ politicians – and the Mayor joined their camp – were laboring mightily to give birth to the ‘New South.’   A generation later the ‘Progressives’ had triumphed: The old fogey southern WASP’s had been routed and whatever…

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Renaming Enloe

The Powers That Be on the WakeCounty school board are once again demonstrating their fatal flaw: They pick needless fights.   What is the sense of this fight over changing the name of EnloeHigh School?   Clearly, it’s payback – and spite.   If Margiotta and Tedesco were bigger men – and real leaders –…

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McChrystal’s Balls

General Stanley McChrystal and his hard-driving team probably didn’t say anything about their civilian bosses that military leaders haven’t always said about their civilian bosses.   McChrystal & Co. just said it in front of a reporter. From Rolling Stone, no less.   No wonder these guys can’t catch Osama.   McChrystal never quite hit…

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