Posts by Carter Wrenn
Here’s Something You Don’t See Everyday
UNC President Erskine Bowles is going to ask the legislature to increase the UNC System’s budget 11%. But Bowles has done something unusual. He’s backed his request by cutting what amounts to $440 million in other university spending. For example, he’s cut his own staff 10%. It’s hard to recall anyone else, anywhere else, in…
Read MoreElizabeth Dole’s Tough Three Weeks
Politics is odd but Elizabeth Dole must feel the world turned upside down in the three weeks after the election. The Sunday before the election she was on TV defending Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, saying he didn’t need to resign. Three days later President Bush fired Rumsfeld. Senator Dole was also Chairman of the Republican…
Read MoreStraight Ticket Voting Up
People used to say, I don’t care which party straightens out our country as long as one does. But times have changed. The Charlotte Observer (11-13-06) reports “straight ticket voting” increased 20% in Mecklenburg County this election. Of course, it’s possible that every, say, Democratic candidate in every race was more qualified than his Republican…
Read MoreFollow the Money
We may be about to get another glimpse into “backstage politics.” Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed House Speaker Pro-Tem Richard Morgan to testify before the grand jury. They want to ask Morgan about is a $100,000 donation “a small cigarette manufacturer” gave “a political group” he created in 2004 – a year after Morgan stopped legislation…
Read MoreIt’s Going to be Tough to Prove They’re Wrong
This has nothing to do with politics. The News and Observer reports (10-25-06) two scientists have determined millions of years ago the Amazon River flowed in the opposite direction. I know it’s akin to heresy to question anything scientific but, sometimes, it’s hard not to wonder about scientists. How can they be so certain what…
Read MoreRepresentative Morgan: Defending the State House’s Integrity?
During the Republican primaries, former State Representative Art Pope contributed heavily to a group opposing Representative Richard Morgan. Morgan lost but, now, according to the News and Observer, he’s launching a ‘Legal Fund.’ Morgan says he’s afraid left unchecked, “Pope will destroy the integrity of the North Carolina State House.” We’ve had the Lottery scandal,…
Read MoreDemocracy Iraqi Style
Something strange has happened in our struggle to bring democracy to Iraq. Last week, our Marines raided a Shiite militia stronghold in Baghdad’s Sadr City – and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, who is a Shiite, let us have it with both barrels. It appears we may have offended a few of his supporters. He went…
Read MoreHillary in 2008 – Flip-Flopping on Gay Marriage?
Maybe I’m quoting Dick Morris too much, but Dick’s interesting and entertaining, especially, when he’s talking about Hillary Clinton. He reports (http://www.vote.com/) Hillary’s flip-flopped on gay marriage. I always assumed Senator Clinton was for it but it turns out while President Clinton was in the White House he signed “The Defense of Marriage Act.” Now,…
Read MoreThe Election
Gary, there’s not much I’ll argue with in your blog today except, of course, Republicans going left. (And I do tremble at the thought of John Edwards winning Iowa, even if it is at Hillary’s expense). I admire President Bush for trying to fight a war on terrorism. But, now, after a series of defeats…
Read MoreWho’s Got the Cash?
The Democratic Party had the cash in the State Legislative elections this year. They outspent the Republicans five to one – $5.8 million to $1.1 million. It’s a truism in politics that nine times out of ten the candidate with the most cash wins and Democrats gained seats in both the House and Senate. Post…
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