Posts by Gary Pearce
Bev and Irene
Politico did the obligatory piece on Governor Perdue and Irene (quoting Brad Crone and me) and reminding us that politics is never far from a storm. “The storm packs a potentially pivotal political moment,” for Perdue, it said. And had this: “She shines in a battle, and this is going to be a battle.…
Read MoreBlown Away
What’s worse: going through a hurricane, or going through days, even weeks, of agony, anxiety and anticipation listening to hyperventilating, iron-pumping weather announcers and reading shrieking headlines (as in “Shrieking Irene aims its fury at NC coast”)? As the storm’s barometric pressure goes down, our blood pressure goes up. Actually, what’s worse is dealing…
Read MorePress Office Follies
A TAPster shares this AP story: “RALEIGH — Gov. Beverly Perdue’s staff is taking the blame for failing to alert the North Carolina public sooner that the governor had declared a state of emergency for nearly 40 eastern counties for the approaching Hurricane Irene. “Perdue’s press office announced late Thursday morning her declaration, which sets…
Read MoreTeeing Up Faith
A group of golfers and non-golfers were talking this week about Webb Simpson’s comments after winning his first PGA event. Not what he said about his putting or a crucial drive or a big save. But the first words out of his mouth when David Feherty stuck a microphone in his face on the…
Read MoreHuh?
The email from David Parker, state Democratic Party chairman, promised a rip-roaring attack on Republican leaders: “Tillis, McCrory and Berger: Turning Back The Clock On NC Schools.” Then came the first line: “Last week, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly decided to challenge a court ruling on pre-kindergarten access could lead to an…
Read MoreObama’s Job Test
Instead of getting him back on the high road, President Obama’s bus tour left him deeper in the ditch. What to do now? Of course, give a Big Speech on Jobs! Clearly, the Obama team is back to the 2008 playbook: When the chips are down, the chief will come through with a powerful,…
Read MoreReally?
If I were a self-respecting Republican, I’d be praying for Mitt Romney or Jon Huntsman to catch fire – or for Paul Ryan to get into the race. Especially after hearing these gems from Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry: Bachmann in South Carolina: “Under President Bachmann, you will see gasoline come down below…
Read MoreTillis’ Moves
A TAPster who is a veteran observer of legislators has a good take on State House speaker Thom Tillis: “Tillis who squirted from obscurity to the state’s most powerful politician in record time, is an adroit organizer, manager and fundraiser and is as politically sophisticated as most of us have ever seen. He’s made two…
Read MoreEmpty Nest
This is a big day for my wife Gwyn and me. We become empty nesters. We take our daughter to Appalachian State for her first day of college. Our son was born 22 years, two months and two days ago. Every day since, our daily lives have focused on James and Maggie: feeding them,…
Read MoreTillis and the Gay Marriage
Speaker Thom Tillis again shows signs of being soft (if you’ll pardon the term) on gay marriage. According to the Charlotte Observer, Tillis was pressed at a town meeting this week about the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. “Can you explain to us why you’re squandering taxpayer resources on this…
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