For a quarter century, Bob Phillips championed better government, fair elections and healthy democracy. He retired last month after 25 years as executive director of Common Cause in North Carolina – building one of the biggest, most active and most effective state chapters in the country. Never flashy or addicted to the spotlight, Bob labored…
Will 2026 be a celebration of 250 years of independence – or a reprise of the violent revolution that began our nation? It’s clear – from every poll and every recent election – that, after just one year, most voters are done with Trump and ready for change. It’s also clear that Trump is determined…
We see two scenes on our screens today. In one, masked, combat-armed government goons intimidate, assault and murder innocent citizens. In the other, 18 Buddhist monks are on a Walk for Peace – 2,300 miles over 120 days from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. Some of them walk barefoot. All of them walk swiftly,…
Thom Tillis’ last year in the Senate could be his finest hour. He can keep up the great tradition of North Carolina Senators standing up to a criminal President. Fifty years ago, Senator Sam Ervin took on – and helped take down – Richard Nixon over Watergate. Five years ago, Senator Richard Burr voted to…
The six Governors seated in a pew at Jim Hunt’s funeral last month are of different parties, philosophies and personalities. But all of them battled the General Assembly over power. They were Josh Stein (2025-now), Roy Cooper (2017-2025), Pat McCrory (2013-2017), Bev Perdue (2009-2013), Mike Easley (2001-2009) and Jim Martin (1985-1993), whose two terms came…
He was a Raleigh boy who helped build today’s Raleigh. Tom Bradshaw, who died Tuesday at age 87, was the 33-year-old “Boy Mayor,” serving one term from 1971-1973. He was the Secretary of Transportation who got I-40 built from Raleigh to Wilmington. He was the real estate developer and consummate salesman who developed North Ridge…
The year 2025 gave us government based on hate, malice and cruelty. But, in politics, the pendulum always swings. As Scripture says, “and now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.” Here’s hoping that 2026 brings us a restoration of hope, civility and compassion. That’d be a good…
Rachel Hunt’s moving tribute at her father’s funeral Friday reflected a key to how he led so successfully. The Lieutenant Governor began by talking directly to – and about – the audience: “You are the people who helped make North Carolina the great place it is today.” That’s something Governor Jim Hunt routinely did in…
Along with the tributes from elected officials past and present, I’ve been moved by the reactions to Governor Jim Hunt’s death from educators, journalists and political adversaries. N.C. State University Chancellor Kevin Howell saluted him as “a proud NC State alumnus and one of the greatest ambassadors for education in our state’s history.” Howell added,…
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