Archive for 2010
A Tough Character?
The other morning when I turned on the television one of the networks was swooning over Mrs. Obama and praising her to high heavens, comparing her to Jackie Kennedy, showing her wearing a Shari and boogie-luing with a group of Indian children. Then ole Obama himself got up and started dancing too and I’ll…
Read MoreWOWW, Part 3
WOWW: Where Obama Went Wrong So here’s my theory, keeping in mind that when you’re a hammer, everything is a nail. I’m a political media guy, so I see a political-media answer. Yes, Obama should have done a better job explaining what he was doing. Yes, he made a mistake letting Pelosi,…
Read MorePerdue Off and Running
The smoke hasn’t cleared from the last election and Governor Perdue’s already off and running in the next one which, if you think about it, makes pretty good sense because we’ve never had a Governor more unpopular than Beverly Perdue. After lagging for two years, this fall Governor Perdue’s popularity hit rock bottom: She…
Read MoreWOWW, Part 2
WWOW: Where Obama Went Wrong One thing I always enjoy about working with Governor Hunt is his passion and enthusiasm for new ideas. From primary-reading programs to Smart Start to new industry, he never stops pursuing bigger and better things for North Carolina. So, naturally, he had a thought about what Obama might…
Read MoreRecount
Just when I thought I’d seen it all out of the blue I ran head-on into a living breathing piece of devilment called the Recount. In North Carolina the recount medusa only raises its head if a candidate wins by less than 1% of the vote. In Renee Ellmers’ race with Congressman Bob Etheridge…
Read MoreErskine’s Grenades
In business, government and education, one of Erskine Bowles’ great strengths – and, as a politician, one of his great weaknesses – was a fondness for speaking blunt truths. He relishes telling people what they don’t like to hear. But now he has truly surpassed himself. First, he set North Carolina on its…
Read MoreMillions of Reasons for Hope
Here’s some tonic for Democrats depressed about last week’s elections. In North Carolina, 2.7 million people voted Nov. 2 – a turnout of 43 percent. In 2008, 4.3 million North Carolinians voted – a 70 percent turnout. That’s a drop of 1.6 million voters. Nationally, 75 million people voted last year. In 2008,…
Read MoreWOWW, Part 1
“WOWW” stands for “Where Obama Went Wrong.” Beginning today, I will present various theories I have heard from Democrats. Then I will unveil my own super-secret, foolproof answer. Obama’s theory – articulated by him before the election and by several Democrats since – is that he “got the policy right and the politics wrong.”…
Read MoreThat’s The Spirit
Republican legislators say they’ll balance the state budget by combing through every item. Now comes Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler – a Republican. The Greensboro News & Record reports that he “says there’s nowhere left to cut in his department and he has refused to give Gov. Bev Perdue recommendations on where to cut…
Read MorePerdue’s Choice
Governor Perdue faces a critical policy and political choice. The media is focused on what the new Republican legislature will do to balance the budget. But the Governor has to make the first move. She proposes the budget. And the course she takes could decide whether she becomes North Carolina’s first one-term…
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