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In the Tank

By Gary Pearce November 9, 2013

Since I’ve been rough on Governor McCrory – and will be again – I’m providing equal time today to a TAPster who makes a valid point:   “Here’s one vote to stop harassing Governor McCrory over expenditures to make the mansion a modern, livable home. In fact, those of us who care about the state should…

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Still Champ

By Carter Wrenn November 8, 2013

My grandmother, years ago, would regularly tell me, Carter, you’ve got your wants and your needs confused.     It turns out reporters have the same problem.   What reporters need, just about every day, is a story. And what they want is a crisis to make it an interesting story.   Take the newspaper headlines…

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Boone on the Rise

By Gary Pearce November 8, 2013

It’s one town and one election, but it was one hell of a shot in the arm for an old Democratic war horse like me.   A dedicated, sleep-deprived, over-caffeinated crew of young organizers and Appalachian State students helped sweep the Boone Town Council races for a slate of progressive, forward-looking candidates, including Andy Ball…

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Grudges

By Carter Wrenn November 7, 2013

Rob Christensen wrote a tribute to Jack Hawke and in it mentioned hardball politics and Jack’s run-in with the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice – there’s more to the story: During Senator Helms’ 1990 campaign, when Jack was Republican Chairman, I asked him for a favor – to work with…

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Election Takeaways

By Gary Pearce November 7, 2013

The Republican civil war takes off, Obamacare takes a hit, Virginia is still purple, a big GOP personality wins big in blue New Jersey, public pollsters lose big and a new generation of Democratic leaders rises across North Carolina. Let’s run it all down.   GOP civil war: The skirmishes are over, and the real…

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Saluting Jack Hawke

By Gary Pearce November 7, 2013

Somehow it’s right that Jack passed away at election time. His life revolved around election days. I suspect Pat McCrory would be a better governor if he had listened more to Jack this year. I know politics won’t be as much fun with him gone.

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From Bush to Cruz

By Gary Pearce November 6, 2013

Remember when George W. Bush ran as a “compassionate conservative” in 2000? Ted Cruz could run in 2016 as a “cruel conservative.”   The distance between the two Texans shows how far right the Republican Party has gone, thanks to the Tea Party. It’s a hell of a thing when Bush looks good in hindsight.…

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Pools

By Carter Wrenn November 6, 2013

In a way the Obamacare rollout is proof markets – and naked self-interest – work.   In the past, a lot of older, sicker people have been unable to get health insurance. Or afford it if they could. Or have had to pay through the nose for it.   Now, according to the Wall Street…

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The Barber Factor

By Gary Pearce November 5, 2013

Some Democrats fear – and Carter sincerely hopes – that the Rev. William Barber will become the face of the Democratic Party.   But ponder this: If Barber can inspire thousands of people to protest on “Moral Mondays” – and 900 of them to get arrested – how many people can he inspire to the polls…

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Joe John

By Gary Pearce January 22, 2025

State Representative Joe John, who died today, looked something like a friendly but fierce bulldog. He…

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What You Missed

By Gary Pearce January 21, 2025

Some of my friends didn’t watch Trump’s inauguration. One went to church. One went to every…

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Women Warriors

By Gary Pearce January 19, 2025

The Democratic Party needs to get tougher, and that’s a job for Democratic women. Sydney Batch…

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