Posts by Gary Pearce
Sex and the Speaker’s Office
I like the observations below because the TAPster who wrote them not only takes aim at everybody, but also dares to defend lobbyists: “The irony – and hypocrisy — of this sex scandal is these staffers work for Republican politicians who imposed their personal morals on the state’s citizens by ramming through the proposed…
Read MoreMore to Come?
The N&O story today by Dan Kane and John Frank (“Second Tillis staffer admits to inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist”) had this eye-catching line: “After Thomas’ resignation, Tillis said he returned to his office on Sunday afternoon and questioned five of his 10 remaining staff members, who had been the subject of rumors related…
Read MoreBin Laden Politics
Mitt Romney is about to come unglued because President Obama ordered the operation that killed bin Laden. First Romney said “even Jimmy Carter” would have ordered the raid. Then he said “any thinking American” would have. Presumably, that explains why President Bush didn’t. Of course, Romney overlooks the fact that some military…
Read MoreBlame Newt Gingrich
A capital veteran says of the Charles Thomas/lobbyist scandal: “Sex between legislators, staffers and lobbyists isn’t anything new. Been going on for years. What’s new about this is a private investigator hired by an undisclosed client did the N&O’s investigation and the N&O printed the result. This is a spooky precedent.” Laura Leslie…
Read MoreWhat Is Bill Thinking?
Most of time, you can tell what a campaign is thinking by watching what it does. Sometimes, what a campaign does makes you wonder what – or if – they’re thinking. So it is with Bill Faison’s campaign for governor. Some weeks ago, the buzz was that Faison was going to pump a half-million…
Read MorePayback?
Since their 2010 debacle, Democrats have muttered about an “iron triangle” they believe helped do them in: politically motivated prosecutions, relentless Republican pressure for the investigations and tough media scrutiny. Some even saw a coordinated conspiracy. So don’t be surprised if they look for payback in the Charles Thomas/lobbyist affair. They want investigations –…
Read MoreJustin Guillory Responds
Following is Justin’s response to my blog (see below) about his N&O op-ed: “Thanks for taking an interest in my op-ed. Here is my take on your questions: “First, I disagree that progressive politics are not business friendly. The current Republican leadership has taken us so far to the right that we need…
Read MoreAnother Day, Another Scandal
It certainly didn’t take the Republicans long to pick up where Jim Black left off. Democrats can have a field day: “The Speaker’s chief of staff, roommate and best friend had a romantic relationship with a lobbyist who had legislation before the House.” They can ask: “What did the Speaker know and when…
Read MoreDemocrats: New Generation or New Direction?
Justin Guillory’s op-ed in the N&O – “Embrace the future, North Carolina Democrats” – struck a theme you hear a lot these days from young Democrats: “The major upheaval in the Democratic ranks provides a unique window of opportunity for the party to turn over a new page and choose its next generation of…
Read MoreA $3 Million Problem
Whoever wakes up May 9 as the Democratic nominee for governor will immediately face an insurmountable obstacle. Pat McCrory is sitting on $3.1 million, John Franks reports in Dome. That’s precisely $3.1 million more than the Democratic nominee will have that day. It will be impossible to make up the gap. Now, in politics…
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