Back in the last millennium, the paradox of North Carolina politics was: How can the same state elect Jim Hunt and Jesse Helms? Today, it’s: How can the same state elect Donald Trump and Josh Stein? They’re not just political opposites; they’re two of the most opposite people on planet Earth. Call us TrumpenStein. The…
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Back in 1975, I met Ronald Reagan at a dinner in Raleigh. That fall he ran for President – I ran his North Carolina primary, working with Jesse Helms (one of two U.S. Senators who endorsed Reagan) and Tom Ellis (Reagan’s North Carolina Chairman). Reagan lost the first five primaries to Gerald Ford – his…
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If you seek political asylum the next four years, try Iceland. We went there last week and loved it. Yes, it’s cold, dark half the year and expensive. But it’s also beautiful and historic; the people are friendly, peace-loving and progressive-minded; and it’s a six-hour direct flight from RDU. Still, don’t give up on the…
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The tumult and the shouting dies; The Captains and the Kings depart: Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Victoria ruled for 60 years, Great Britain was the most powerful nation on earth, but its strength was ebbing. Rudyard Kipling, in a short poem in 1897, wrote about battles the British…
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Bert Bennett of Winston-Salem, the legendary political godfather to Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt, had a terse dismissal of election post-mortems: “When you win, everything you did was right. When you lose, everything you did was wrong.” Democrats can select from a lengthy list of excuses and explanations for Kamala Harris’ loss. Like, “It was…
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This is bad. Bad for America and for the world. Bad for women, for immigrants, for LGBTQ+ people and for all marginalized people. Bad for the Democratic Party nationally. But North Carolina proved that Democrats and progressives can win. Good candidates who ran good campaigns won: Josh Stein, Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson, Mo Green and…
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Out of a clear blue sky a sign of hope landed in my inbox Saturday morning. Here’s Larissa Phillips’ story from The Free Press (below). Whatever Happens, Love Thy Neighbor I’m a Democrat living in a red, rural county. Trump supporters have mowed my lawn, walked my dog, and eroded my prejudices with their…
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Biden got out. Harris got in. Trump got shot. Insults flew. The election boiled down to seven states. It’s over tomorrow night – and Lord willing Wednesday the sun will rise on a peaceful day. And healing begins. But what if…as Trump watches votes roll in tomorrow night, leading Harris, he announces he won. But…
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The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. And it could easily swing a close election. Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden Sunday was hateful, divisive and mean-spirited. Kamala Harris’ rally in front of the White House Tuesday was hopeful, unifying and uplifting. She drew the contrast in her speech: “I pledge to you to…
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As a boy growing up in Virginia my grandmother told me, Be polite…to dowager aunts, grandmothers,…
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As Hurricane Helene ravaged the mountains, my wife and I were thousands of miles away, on…
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From Walter Mondale to Obama Democrat politicians preached the same gospel: Government was the way to…
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