Posts by Gary Pearce
Jim Hunt and the Dropout Rate
I had to laugh when Republicans claimed credit for North Carolina’s high-school graduation rate topping 80 percent. And I have to stake a claim for Jim Hunt’s role. Over the last six years, the state’s graduation rate has gone up nearly 12 percentage points –from at 68.3 percent in 2006 to 80.2 percent. …
Read MoreRepublicans Embrace Clinton and Bowles
Forget the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Forget the attacks on Erskine Bowles when he ran for Senate. Republicans now desperately embrace Bubba and Bowles. Why? Because they can’t find a respected Republican to cite. Certainly not George W. Bush, who blew up the Clinton-Bowles balanced budget and gave us this recession. Instead, they…
Read MoreLegislators and Lobbyists
A veteran legislative hand and former lobbyist offers this perspective on how Raleigh has changed: “If you want to really understand today’s political world, understand how the politicians view the role of lobbyists. “Democrats see lobbyists as a source of information to help them make a decision. “Republicans see lobbyists as a…
Read MoreRyan’s Express
Soon the media will stop hyperventilating about Paul Ryan and get back to Obama vs. Romney. It always happens, unless the VP choice is a disaster. Remember: Sarah Palin’s selection put the Republicans ahead four years ago, until…well, you know. For now, we sophisticated analysts ask: “What does the pick say” about the presidential…
Read MoreGOP Sex Change 2012
I can’t wait to weigh in on Paul Ryan as VP. Meantime, here’s a revealing guest blog from a female TAPster: Four years ago, the Brain Trust of the Republican Party decided the way to offset the Obama Change Machine was with an unknown female Governor from a far-flung, sparsely populated state. It was a…
Read MoreGovernment on the Cheap
As I ease back into the post-vacation routine, hereâs a guest submission from a TAPster: The recent crash of a Charlotte-based C-130 aircraft while fighting wildfires in the western US makes a sad, revealing point about the mindset of our government today. That aircraft was a cargo plane, but had been modified to…
Read MoreWhy Is It Close?
A prominent Democrat asked this question: “With the economy so bad, why is Obama even close in North Carolina?” Three theories: (1) Voters like him; (2) they don’t like Romney; (3) they’re afraid the Tea Party has taken over the Republican Party. Maybe all three are right. A poll found Obama leading in…
Read MoreThe Big Dog Speaks
Hereâs why Iâm glad Bill Clinton will have a big role at the Democratic convention: Nobody in American politics today is a better contrast to how brain-dead American politics is today. Clinton is the one national figure who can weave sensible policy proposals from the extremes of left and right, the one politician who…
Read MoreBurr as Veep?
Maybe Senator Richard Burr sees himself as the best running mate for Mitt Romney. In an interview with WBT radio, he said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) could use “a little more experience.” He called Kelly Ayotte out of New Hampshire a “longshot.” And he had faint praise for former Minnesota Gov. Tim…
Read MoreRinging the School Bell
One of Walter Dalton’s biggest challenges is winning Independent women voters in the Charlotte media market. How does he do that? Take them to school. Dalton can go after on education Pat McCrory two ways. One, McCrory will rubber-stamp whatever the legislature does to the public schools. Senator Josh Stein did a…
Read More