Archive for December 2010
Smile, Gov
This quote by Governor Perdue on WRAL captured her fundamental political problem. “I’m going to make a lot of people unhappy, and I’m sorry.” First, let’s recall what people look for in leaders. It’s not just what they say, it’s how they say it. The most successful – Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Hunt…
Read MoreInstant Runoff, Eternal Confusion
I used to think the instant runoff was confusing. Now I know it is. There’s nothing instant about it. We still don’t know for sure who won the N.C. Court of Appeals race where it was used this year. The best analysis I’ve seen is by my friend Reid Overcash of Raleigh, who worked in…
Read MoreAnd the Winner is…
The Civitas Institute has published a right interesting report about how much North Carolina’s Senators and Congressmen have requested earmarks over the last year and the winner is… In the Senate when it comes to grabbing for the loot Kay Hagan whipped Richard Burr hands down, reaching into the Treasury to spend $3 to…
Read MoreLou Wilson Responds
Once again, we interrupt this blog to bring you a word from our clients. I promise not to turn this into a long-running home-care versus assisted-living debate. But Lou Wilson with the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities takes issue with Carter’s blog “Grit” below. Herewith Lou: “Mentally ill people have not…
Read MoreMeeting Jim Hunt
Twenty-six years ago after the fourth Helms-Hunt debate I walked up onto the back of the stage and stood waiting for Jesse – as he talked to reporters – and suddenly the crowd shifted and I found myself standing face to face with Jim Hunt in the flesh – for the first time. To…
Read MoreGrit
Gary and I have a bit of grit in the gears of our now going on decade long friendship and I’m afraid I’m the one who caused the problem. Sometimes, if it’s a good story about how government works (or doesn’t work), I write about what I see or learn while working with a…
Read MoreInto the Elephants’ Den
Since I tweaked Governor Perdue for the building-code mess (see below), I’ll salute her for a bold stroke at the legislative caucus today. She went in to talk about the budget. But she seized the opportunity to challenge the new Republican House and Senate to act on three issues: - Legislative session limits - More…
Read MoreShoddy Construction
You wouldn’t want the people who put together the new building code to build your house. The Building Code Council Tuesday adopted rules to make new commercial and residential buildings more energy-efficient. But they were afraid the changes would increase the cost of homes when the home-buying market is in a depression. So they…
Read MoreThe Right Enemies
Things are looking up for President Obama. First, he’s going to get a win. Congress will pass the tax cut/stimulus bill he worked out with Republicans. Even better for him, congressional Democrats – who had become a political anchor around the President’s neck – are mad about the bill. And how can…
Read MoreCrisis in Adult Care
I normally don’t blog about my clients. Simple reason: I’m afraid readers would stop reading. But Carter forces my hand. He has posted several blogs about the assisted-living industry, also known as adult-care homes. They’re my clients: the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities and its director, Lou Wilson. Carter reflects the views…
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