Archive for 2016
More Clinton vs Trump
Here are two more simple arguments for Hillary Clinton. The first comes, as in yesterday’s blog, from former Senator Bob Kerrey: “The Clintons did a good job on the economy the last time they were in the White House. I have every reason to think they will again.” The second is from a big Republican…
Read More“Who sucks less?”
That’s how former Senator Bob Kerrey says most Americans view the choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And a poll by The New York Times last week bears him out. Trump’s troubles: He is viewed unfavorably by 60 percent of women, 65 percent of voters age 18-29 and 68 percent of non-white voters. Clinton’s…
Read MoreCooper’s coup on HB2
Now Roy Cooper can say he’s protected more jobs against HB2 fallout than Governor Potty McCrory has. After Cooper met with the CEO, New Jersey-based Braeburn Pharmaceuticals decided to proceed with a $20 million, 50-job manufacturing and research facility in Durham County. The company had been reevaluating its plans because of HB2. Cooper can say,…
Read MoreA heady honor
This is a high point in my life. One of the people I admire most, D.G. Martin, put forward my name for a panel he suggests to resolve North Carolina’s HB2 crisis. D.G. wrote in a recent column: “I believe that a panel of people of goodwill representing both supporters and opponents of HB2 could…
Read MoreCapital bullying
Republican leaders in Raleigh look like a cross between the Nixon White House and North Korea. Nixon: “Make an enemies list. We’ll screw ‘em!” North Korea: “All Facebook and Twitter posts will be monitored. There will be no deviations from the party line.” WRAL’s Laura Leslie exposed the tawdry mess in a story (“Lobbyists: Lawmakers…
Read MoreGeorge and Renee — End of Round 1
Renee Ellmers was being clever. She thought. By telling voters George Holding had opposed ‘the U.S. Army.’ But it turned out to not be clever at all. Because when Holding explained that Ellmers was claiming he’d voted against the Army because he’d voted against Obama’s Omnibus Budget Deal – the earth shifted beneath Ellmers’ feet.…
Read MoreRemember when…
Governor McCrory is very proud that North Carolina moved up from 42nd to 41st in teacher pay last year. Well, let’s turn back the clock about 20 years. In 1997, Governor Jim Hunt proposed raising teacher salaries to the national average. At the time, we ranked 43rd. With bipartisan support (including a Republican-majority House), the…
Read MoreRenee and George
Today Renee aired a new radio ad – on top of her TV ad. In her radio ad Renee repeats her attacks saying George voted against farmers and against the U.S. Army. In her TV ad she says she’s out there fighting for conservative values, for the right to life, for less spending, for a…
Read MoreA Shortage of Truth All Around
Here’s a recap of George’s race with Renee so far: Renee came out swinging saying (on Facebook) how deeply she cared for the voters in her district while George Holding had voted against farmers and highways. George set that straight by explaining what had really happened: That what he had voted against was increasing Food…
Read MoreThe Old South State
A TAPster sent this satire (I think it’s satire): Things got so bad on Jones Street today that legislative leaders asked staff to research steps necessary for the state to secede from the Union. “We might as well,” said Senate leader Phil Berger. “The federal government is cutting off our money and services. We have…
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