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The Real Reason

By Carter Wrenn December 21, 2012

Pat McCrory called reporters down to the Albemarle building for a press conference and said two words and near about gave liberals from Murphy to Manteo apoplexy.   He said, Art Pope.    And five minutes later ole Chris Fitzsimmons was howling on Twitter, The Pope Administration begins…and about an hour later the Democratic Party…

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The Budget Pope

By Gary Pearce December 21, 2012

Art Pope is both a good target for Democrats and a good choice for Governor-elect McCrory.   Democrats get to skewer him as a rich, right-wing puppet master who will pull McCrory’s strings while running and ruining North Carolina.   McCrory gets three things: Pope knows the budget in and out. He knows how Raleigh…

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$250,000 a Month

By Carter Wrenn December 20, 2012

Two years ago as businesses were struggling through the recession, a family business in eastern North Carolina that cares for shut-ins and older people in their homes received a letter from PCG Corporation of Boston saying, We’re coming to audit the payments you’ve received from Medicaid.   Earlier, PCG (the ‘Public Consulting Group’) had told…

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On Target

By Gary Pearce December 20, 2012

A TAPster offers a creative solution to gun violence:   “The eventual outcome of the approaching debate about gun control – regardless of that outcome – is unlikely to satisfy anybody. Gun owners will chafe at new restrictions, control advocates will cry that more should be done, and people will continue to be shot.  …

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Battle Lines

By Gary Pearce December 19, 2012

Even if he doesn’t (as is rumored) become Governor-elect McCrory’s budget director, Art Pope will be a power.   So – despite its disclaimers – let’s assume the Civitas Institute channels Pope’s thinking when it proposes doing away with the state income tax and replacing it with a broader sales tax.   And let’s assume…

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A Cruel Trick of Nature

By Carter Wrenn December 18, 2012

Back in the old days there was a breed of Congressman, rugged individualists, who, whenever he (or she) had to cast an unpopular vote, would shrug and say, Let the chips fall where they may.   That political animal is now all but extinct.             In the place of a troublesome conscience (when it comes…

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Under the Gun

By Gary Pearce December 18, 2012

Don’t underestimate how much the Newtown killings can change politics. It has happened before.   In 1995, President Clinton was struggling to be relevant in a Washington dominated by Newt Gingrich and his newly triumphant Republican majority. Then came the Oklahoma City bombing. Seizing the moment, Clinton spoke for the nation’s grief and anger. The…

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A New Day After Newtown?

By Gary Pearce December 17, 2012

After news broke about the cold-blooded murder of six- and seven-year-old children, some people said, “Now is not the time to debate gun control – it’s time to grieve.”   Now it’s time to debate gun control.   On Friday, President Obama led the grieving. Often mocked for his Spock-like demeanor, he showed more emotion…

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Shadow Governments

By Gary Pearce December 14, 2012

Behind the controversy over Governor-elect McCrory’s foundation-fundraiser on Inaugural Day, there’s a story about “shadow governments.”   Since Democrats have time on their hands, they should take note of how these governments-in-waiting can develop ideas, leaders and public support.   Exhibit A is the John Locke Foundation. You may not like it, but give Art…

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