Both Sides Now?

Democratic heads exploded over this story in The News & Observer last week: “The two candidates running to lead North Carolina’s public schools are accusing each other of promoting radical agendas that would devastate public education in the state.” Democrats call that “both-sidesism.” Some journalists call it “balanced reporting.” It’s the practice of giving equal…

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Republican vs Republican

Even Republicans think Republicans have gone too far in North Carolina. After losing the Republican primary for governor to Mark Robinson, Bill Graham said, “Mark Robinson is an unelectable candidate in the general election in North Carolina, and he puts a conservative future at risk for everyone, from the courthouse to the White House.” Paul…

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Four Years Ago

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley of North Carolina accidentally told the truth last week. On a Fox News show, Whatley (photo) said, “At the end of the day, this comes down to a very simple contrast between President Trump and President Biden. Were you better off four years ago than you are today? The…

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YDs Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Young Democrats are bringing new energy to the North Carolina party this year, but that’s only one reason I keep an eye on them. YD leaders today tend to become NC leaders tomorrow. I found this clip from The News & Observer, October 6, 1968, about that year’s state YD convention in Fayetteville. Reporter Dick…

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Trump’s VP

You may have laughed or recoiled at Senator Katie Britt’s State of the Union response, but Trump is thinking: “This is my kind of girl. She’s a looker, just my type. And she knows a woman’s place: in the kitchen. She won’t be like that damn Pence. She’ll do what I tell her.” Plus, Britt…

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BANGO!

President Biden’s feisty, fiery, funny State of the Union sent me back to one of the best political books ever: What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer, about the 1988 presidential candidates, including Biden. Cramer wrote this about “Joey” Biden growing up in Scranton, PA: “You didn’t want to fight him. Most guys who got…

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Poll Watch

High Point University hit a low point in polling. Last Friday, four days before Tuesday’s primary, the HPU poll reported this in the Democratic race for N.C. Attorney General: Satana Deberry       31% Tim Dunn                  33% Jeff Jackson              36% The poll was right on the money. About Deberry. She got 33% of the vote.…

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Time to Choose

After Tuesday’s primaries, the choice is clear for North Carolina and the nation. It’s Democratic reason versus Republican rage. It’s real action on real problems versus revenge and retribution. It’s the difference between President Biden and Donald Trump – and between Josh Stein and Mark Robinson. Democrats want government to attack economic insecurity, ignorance, hunger,…

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Young Dems on Fire

It took a London newspaper to report this political story: “In a hotel ballroom situated between Raleigh and Durham in North Carolina, a sea of buzzing young liberals excitedly took selfies and exchanged Instagram handles. Wrists decorated with Taylor Swift bracelets hit against one another as baby-faced teens and twentysomethings dressed in business casual applauded…

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Losing It

Trump may have the Republican nomination locked up, but he’s losing a lot of Republicans. He lost 32% of the Republican vote in Michigan, 40% in South Carolina and over 45% in New Hampshire. In South Carolina, he lost Independents to Nikki Haley by 60-40. That’s how you lose in November. He’s also losing his…

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