The last time I paid attention to internal Democratic Party politics was during Governor Hunt’s first two terms, when the party had chairs and executive directors like Betty McCain and David Price. Ah, the good old days. This week I asked a young friend who is involved in the party now: “Who are the…
Read MoreHere’s the Golden Rule of Politics: “Them that has the gold (to buy TV time) rule.” So it is with the Democratic governor’s race. Bob Etheridge had a lead in initial polls. I thought he won the debates. But Walter Dalton is winning where it counts: on TV ads. Public Policy Polling reports…
Read MoreA TAPster asks a pertinent question about the CBS/New York Times poll that found John Edwards’ favorable rating at 3 percent: “Who in the hell are the 3 percent?”
Read MoreIs Bill Faison the business community’s favorite in the Democratic race for Governor? One well-wired lobbyist thinks so. Why? Isn’t Faison a trial lawyer, a species viewed with fear and loathing by business people? Simple. If Faison wins the nomination, the business community “could put all their efforts into McCrory.” They owe…
Read MoreA TAPster raises a question about Governor Perdue and the state plane: “Everyone was relieved to hear that catastrophe was averted last week when Governor Perdue’s state-owned aircraft had a mechanical problem and made an emergency landing at RDU. “But, here are some questions: “Why in the hell was she taking a…
Read MoreI think I’m going to start writing columns about reporters who write columns telling folks what’s true and untrue in political ads. After all, the reporters are setting themselves up as referees so why not fact-check the fact-checkers? For instance: A respected reporter here in Raleigh recently wrote a fact-check about the American Foundations…
Read MoreYesterday morning the phone rang and when I picked it up a friend said, Did you read Gary’s blog about David Parker? and I said, No;―I’d been scrupulously avoiding reading one word about Mr. Parker’s foibles on the theory no one cared except a dozen crazed political hacks at Democratic Headquarters and another dozen hacks…
Read MoreCharacter is destiny, especially in politics. The pressures and the spotlight inevitably show the world exactly who you are. So it was with David Parker yesterday. The N&O called it “an extraordinary act of political theater.” John Frank described Parker as “assured.” Those who know him use another word: “arrogant.” He has a…
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