Archive for June 2018
The power of positive messaging
Sometimes Carter and I get asked to speak about the 1984 Hunt-Helms Senate race. Some of the people we see weren’t born then. For them, it’s like going to the Dinosaur Museum – and the dinosaurs come out and talk. Because we lost, I’m often asked what was the biggest lesson I learned. That’s easy,…
Read MoreBoasting
The same way people once frowned on insults and name calling, there was a time in our country when people frowned on bragging. Ronald Reagan never bragged about winning the Cold War and Obama didn’t boast about how many times he’d been on the cover of Time magazine. But those days are past. A reporter…
Read MoreWhat would Mister Rogers do?
You knew there was something just a little too good about Fred Rogers, didn’t you? Now all is revealed, thanks to a new documentary. Brace yourself: Mister Rogers was a lifelong Republican. That’s about it. Otherwise, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” shows him to have been just as kind, wise and decent in real life…
Read MoreThe Infection
The arena hushed and lifting his right arm, finger pointing upwards, eyes narrowing, lips forming into a circle Trump said, He’s a loser – and it was more than the words it was the disdain in his voice that gave the words power. A master of ridicule, Donald Trump has used mockery as a weapon…
Read MoreCooper’s historic fight
Governor Cooper has been in some fights in his political life. This is the fight of his political life. And North Carolina’s. November’s legislative elections will decide the course of Cooper’s first term – and perhaps his entire tenure and his place in history. The elections could set North Carolina’s course for the next decade…
Read MoreThe Apple of our eye
A TAPster who has watched North Carolina’s growth and change for decades offers this analysis: Apple’s arrival at RTP will be the most transformative event in the state’s political history. Period. No kidding, this is a generational political game changer. There have been other transformational events in the state, but nothing like Apple. Banks and…
Read MoreRFK
He gave better – and better-known – speeches. Less remembered is what he said in a hot, crowded, chaotic Los Angeles ballroom just minutes before he flashed a grin and a peace (or victory) sign and said, “So on to Chicago and let’s win there.” He speaks to us today just as he did to…
Read MoreRepublicans we love
Trump has accomplished one thing. He’s made Democrats love Republicans we used to loathe. Remember demonic warmonger George W. Bush? Now he’s lovable, artistic George, a goofy but compassionate conservative. George H.W.? A veritable statesman. John McCain, the hateful Palin-picker from 2008? A true American hero. Mitt Romney, the 47 percenter from 2012? A fine…
Read MoreThe no-no budget
No debate. No discussion. No dissent. No amendments. No committee meetings. No hearings. No public input. No openness. No transparency. No accountability. No democracy. And no Democrats! No way to do a budget. Not nearly enough for teachers, educators and state employees. No to public schools. No to school supplies. No to safer schools. No…
Read More