Sitting Pretty

An Old Wise Lobbyist (OWL) gives me a Labor Day break by sharing this:   “Contributors to Rep Edgar Starnes’ campaign should be disgusted and dismayed that he used their contributions to beautify his Raleigh legislative office.   “The Republican House leader used $7,000 of campaign money for furniture and other niceties at the legislative…

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One-Termer

There is growing talk in Raleigh – by Republicans and Democrats – that Governor McCrory will be one and done. And he’s not going to the NBA.   The consensus, which could always turn out wrong, is that he’s over his head. Some people even say he won’t run again. The job isn’t what he…

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If You Hated This Session….

A long-time Raleigh veteran warns that next year’s short legislative session could bring a “hopeless muddle” in the office of speaker Thom Tillis. I quote: “Tillis is forsaking the best political job in the state to run for the US Senate. If he remains speaker for the short session, the possibilities are endless for conflicts…

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50 Years Ago Today…

Two Southern Governors were mentioned in speeches at the March on Washington.   In his speech just prior to MLK’s, Roy Wilkins said, in part, “My friends, we are here today because we want the Congress of the United States to hear from us in person what many of us have been telling our public…

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Rooting for Failure

Do Republicans want America – and North Carolina – to fail? That’s the only explanation that makes sense.   If they starve public schools, they can say public schools don’t work – and abandon them. If they derail Obamacare, they can say it’s a train wreck. If they kneecap cities, they can say cities aren’t…

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A Sea Change

Republicans have been riding high since the 2010 elections but, now, there’s a bushel basket full of polls – by both Democrats and Republicans – floating around Raleigh that tell a sad tale.   At their zenith, last fall, Governor McCrory was the most popular political leader in the state. Better still for Republicans, the…

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A Real Leader

Governor McCrory should have hung around to hear Colin Powell. He would have seen a real leader. He might have learned something.   Presumably, McCrory had “boring stuff” to do that was more pressing than hearing Powell address the CEO Forum. He introduced Powell, then fled.   But the 400-plus suits in the audience saw…

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The 1 Percent

Republican pay policies are the same as Republican economic policies: For the top 1 percent, lobster and champagne! For everybody else, crumbs. Cookie crumbs, I presume.   The N&O reported that DHHS (Department of High High Salaries) “has created new high-salaried positions in its central office this year and is paying some top executives more…

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Pat’s Hot Summer

Governor McCrory is having a bad summer. He probably thought life would be better with the legislature gone. But that just put the heat right on him. And he doesn’t look like he’s having fun.   People in the know say the Governor is sensitive about his media coverage. If that’s so,his blood pressure must…

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Democratic Morale

Last Thursday a tiny cloud appeared on the horizon, and instead of dissipating, by Friday it was hovering right over Governor Pat McCrory’s head.   If you want to see how Democrats’ morale is fairing, just read Gary’s or Thomas Mills’ commentaries. This week they’re happy folks.   Because last week Governor McCrory said it…

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