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The Great Debate

By Carter Wrenn January 29, 2016

Last night at the Republican debate all seven candidates might have taken aim at Donald Trump and blasted away and Trump’s decision not to attend might have backfired. Instead, they stood up there in a row sounding (expect, perhaps, Chris Christie) like seven Washington politicians – attacking each other. And handed Trump a gift.

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Glows in the Dark

By Carter Wrenn January 29, 2016

Governor McCrory’s Secretary of the Environment doesn’t particularly care for solar energy so he’s set out to scuttle it by declaring nuclear energy is clean energy, just like solar. Think about that. It’s odd. The Chief Environmental Officer for all of North Carolina thinks nuclear waste, which has to be buried under a mountain in…

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In praise of (some) polls

By Gary Pearce January 28, 2016

You can count on two perennial stories at this stage in the election cycle: (1) stories about the latest polls and (2) denunciations of all the stories about the latest polls. Frank Bruni wrote in The New York Times (“Our insane addiction to polls”), “I’d say that we’re in a period of polling bloat, but…

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The early bird…wins the election

By Gary Pearce January 27, 2016

From President to state legislature, every campaign is debating this question right now: When do we start? Specifically, when do we start attacking – or “contrasting with” – our opponent? Eighty percent of campaigns will follow the counsel of the loudest and scaredest voice in the room, which is usually: Wait. That voice says, “It’s…

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Bernie + Simon & Garfunkel

By Gary Pearce January 26, 2016

It’s hands-down the most uplifting ad of many a year. Is it reason enough to vote for Bernie Sanders? The Sanders campaign’s 60-second ad “America” was described by CNN as “so full of love, enthusiasm and patriotic uplift (complete with flag-waving) that it’s downright goose bump-inducing.” It is that. Some people even said on social…

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Hillary and Bernie

By Gary Pearce January 25, 2016

We’re not fighting each other like the Republicans are – yet. But insults are flying on social media. Bad feelings are growing. And the voting hasn’t even started. Bias alert: I’m for Hillary. Her heart and mind are in the right place. She is by far the most able and qualified candidate of either party…

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The Dealmaker?

By Carter Wrenn January 25, 2016

Let’s agree (as he says about himself in his book) Donald Trump is the master of The Art of the Deal. He’s not just a billionaire with a penchant for checking out his reflection whenever he walks past a mirror or sees himself on TV – he’s a cunning (and brilliant) maker of deals. And,…

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Out of the media mainstream

By Gary Pearce January 23, 2016

As newspapers slowly decline, we newshawks have to hunt for food. If we want both sides, we have to hunt around. And the pickings are plentiful, if not wholly satisfying. On the left, you’ve got Policy Watch. On the right, there’s the Daily Haymaker. If you want the McCrory line, you go straight to Jones &…

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Trump and the art of the put-down

By Gary Pearce January 22, 2016

Ted Cruz thought he zinged Donald Trump good when he accused him of “New York values.” But one New York value that Trump has mastered is the put-down. Carter noted how Trump’s spot-on zingers buried Jeb Bush (“low energy”) and burned Cruz (“he’s a nasty guy”). Now The New York Times reports that Trump’s jibes…

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Deborah Ross’ Rx

By Gary Pearce March 7, 2025

Curmudgeonly Cajun James Carville says Democrats just need to “roll over and play dead” and wait…

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Puzzling

By Carter Wrenn March 7, 2025

Trump raised tariffs. Said tariffs are beautiful. The next day, about facing, said automakers didn’t have…

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The Unknown

By Carter Wrenn March 5, 2025

A legend in politics, with a sneaky streak but a kind heart, Paddy sat down in…

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