Posts by Gary Pearce
Harbinger?
If the Republican takeover of the Wake County school board last year was a sign of what’s to come in this year’s elections, will this week’s train wreck on the board be a sign of what’s to come next year – in Raleigh and Washington? Campaigning is much easier than governing, as President Obama…
Read MoreBreaking Up Is Hard to Do
“Prom Queen!” “Calm down, now, John.” “I enjoyed our friendship – while it lasted.” It sounds like two middle-schoolers having a bad breakup. But no. It was the Wake County school board majority falling out of love. And they did it with such grace and style. So mature and professional. Such…
Read MorePerdue Pushback on PPP Poll
Pearse Edwards in Governor Perdue’s office has pushed back hard against Public Policy Polling’s conclusion that she is a “liability” to Democrats this year because of her “failure to communicate with average voters” In comments posted on PPP’s blog, Edwards called that analysis “not only unfair but wrong.” He added: “Gov. Perdue’s net…
Read MoreThe Deficit Solution
There is a simple and easy solution to our nation’s budget deficit. It’s bound to work, because it relies on the tremendous energy and enthusiasm that the Tea Party movement has brought to politics. Here it is: All members of the Tea Party must give up any claim to government benefits, beginning with Medicare…
Read MoreThe Politics of Principle
Michael Barone of Fox News made an astute point about Obama at this week’s John Locke luncheon. He said Obama is a very different president from Bill Clinton: Clinton was “unencumbered by principle,” while Obama is an “ideologue.” Now, “ideologue” is a loaded word. You could also say “principled.” You could apply the…
Read MoreThe New Bev?
That was a flash of steel Governor Perdue showed, firing Kenneth Lay. And there may be more to come. John Hood of the John Locke Foundation said at the John Locke Luncheon Wednesday that a Republican legislature could be the best thing to happen to the Governor. She would no longer have to…
Read MoreTea Party Skunk
I thought it was my job to be the skunk at the garden party: yesterday’s John Locke Foundation “Headliners Luncheon.” Then Mr. Herbert Hoover Rosser (yes, his real name) stood up. I was the token Democrat on the panel. The other panelists and audience members were savoring the prospect of big Republican wins come…
Read MoreGary Responds to Carter’s Response
Carter, if you and I are going to start being all reasonable with each other, we’re going to lose our readers! Your response poses a question I can’t begin to answer: How will Muslims around the world interpret it if we let the Islamic community center go up? (Though I would be happy…
Read MoreThe Main Attraction
Today’s N&O story by Jay Price and Mandy Locke captured a telling vignette from the competing political rallies by the “Spending Revolt” bus tour and Organizing For America: Both featured videos of President Obama. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a thoughtful Republican. He opined that the anger driving this year’s…
Read MoreThe Same Old Republican Pledge
For the fourth consecutive decade, Republicans are “pledging” to cut taxes and cut spending. Ronald Reagan made the pledge in the 1980s. Newt Gingrich made it in the 1990s. George Bush made it in the 2000s. And now it’s back in the 2010 “Pledge to America.” Jon Stewart did a masterful job of…
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