Archive for 2011
100 Years of Disaster?
Senator Bob Rucho’s rant on the Senate floor last week probably reflects the humiliations he suffered when Democrats ruled the legislature with iron hands. It also reflects the overreach that is the biggest threat to the Republican’s current majorities. As in: “Hang on, it’s going to take us a little time to recover…
Read MoreThe First Shots
It didn’t take long to commence firing. Republicans in the legislature said they’re cutting spending, and Governor Perdue said they’re jeopardizing jobs. The Gov’s office started Tweeting: “Senate debating proposal to raid NC’s jobs money. It would guarantee new jobs, business go to other states.” “Va. Gov has already asked for…
Read MorePerdue’s Veto Dilemma
Governor Perdue has good reason to be happy the Democratic convention will be in Charlotte next year (see blog below). But that could also box her in on some critical decisions this year. Exhibit A: the Republicans’ bill calling for repeal of health-care reform. Surely, the bill will pass the legislature. Does…
Read MoreThe Bullseye State
Governor Perdue called the choice of Charlotte for the Democratic convention “fantastic.” One of her advisers emailed me: “If you are posting on today’s announcement, all good from our point of view. People and resources in state, not to mention that O will be competing in NC!” As Carter told Rob Christensen in today’s…
Read MoreLast Words
One of best things The News & Observer ever did was to get rid of staff-written obituaries. Now, friends and family members write their own. So the obit page has some of the most interesting stories in the paper. Witness today’s portrayal of Helen Daniels, “a quintessential Outer Banker, (who) passed away peacefully, in…
Read MoreTeachers and Taxes
A friend who is knowledgeable about the state budget gave me this factoid: Extending the “temporary” one-cent sales-tax increase would get North Carolina through the budget crisis without laying off one teacher or teacher assistant. No cuts in the classroom. For Governor Perdue, that could be a fight worth fighting. Yes,…
Read MorePerdue’s Road Back
President Obama’s speech and Speaker Thom Tillis’s remark define the chasm between Democrats and Republicans – and the opening for Governor Perdue in 2012. Obama talked Tuesday about “investments” that will “win the future.” Tillis said Wednesday: “I believe government needs to be as small as possible to provide for people’s safety, to…
Read MoreN&O Clarification
After I posted the blog below on the N&O’s legislative-leaders gallery, I received the following from Dan Kane: “I’d like to clarify what Mary said about Rep. Julia Howard. As a finance chairman, she definitely has clout in the legislature, much more than the average member. I did not include her among the three…
Read MoreHow the N&O Pictured the GOP
Were you struck, like I was, by the big, close-up photos of Republican legislative leaders in the N&O last Sunday? Here’s the take of one longtime legislative observer (who’s not aligned with either party): “It occurred to me that the N&O’s Sunday front-page spread was deliberate by the N&O to underscore a lack of…
Read MoreA Rhetorical Miss
Because I’ve written so many speeches, I can’t help being a speech critic. And I think President Obama missed the mark last night. Normally, Obama is a powerful speaker – and a great writer. And his State of the Union speech had its moments. He probably got the politics right. Even Speaker Boehner…
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