Posts by Gary Pearce
We Need TV!
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate here demonstrates why TV ads are important and valuable in politics, despite all the criticism they get. Outside of the campaigns and the insiders, there is little energy and interest in the campaign. Polls show undecided – or clueless – leading everybody. The problem is money.…
Read MoreExecutive Dilemma
Aside from death-penalty cases, it’s the toughest decision governors make. And that’s so regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat, named Holshouser, Hunt, Martin or Perdue. The dilemma: A gubernatorial appointee is accused of an ethical – or even criminal – violation. Immediately, the media demands that heads roll. Political opponents…
Read MoreRace to the Bottom
Several months ago, Governor Perdue summoned North Carolina business executives to an emergency phone call. The subject was a mystery. But when the Governor calls, you answer. Instead of a big economic announcement, the CEOs listened patiently as the Governor proclaimed that the state was putting in its bid for “Race to the Top”…
Read MoreBev’s Bad Break
A wise old Democrat told me recently that Bev Perdue’s biggest problem is: “She’s broken too many promises.” The recession and the budget crater are mostly to blame. She’s had to disappoint her friends in education, health care, aging services and mental health. But her promise to run an ethical administration doesn’t cost…
Read MoreWingnuts
Extremism in the defense of liberty may or may not be a vice, but it’s a good way to lose elections. And it may be how Republicans blow their chance at a game-changer in November. Judging from their hysterical reaction, the stories about threats and violence have touched a raw nerve among Republicans. …
Read MoreProtesting Politics
In Washington, Republicans vow to fight on against health-care reform. In WakeCounty, school-diversity supporters vow to fight on against the new board’s reassignment plans. In Washington, reform opponents marched on the Capitol, and some spit on congressmen and called them not-nice names. In WakeCounty, diversity supporters protested, demonstrated and even got arrested.…
Read MoreRevisiting 1994
Fred Heineman’s death takes us back to the Republican tidal year of 1994, when a titanic health-care battle led to a Democratic debacle so huge Heineman temporarily unseated David Price. The big difference this year: Obama succeeded where the Clintons failed. It takes three ingredients to make an electoral revolution: (1) One side…
Read MoreWinning is Good
There hasn’t been a scene like it since LBJ in 1965: Democratic congressional leaders beaming and clapping as a Democratic President signs a big expansion of the social safety net. The question is whether today’s White House ceremony celebrating health-care reform was the last gasp of the Great Society – or a reprise of…
Read MorePolitical Courage
People always say they want politicians to do what’s right, even if it’s unpopular. Of course, they mean: unpopular with somebody else. Still, by that standard, Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi showed a rare level of political guts and perseverance in pushing through health-care reform. Remember two months ago? Scott Brown had just…
Read MoreShut Up
John Edwards hasn’t asked for my advice in 10 years. If he did now, I’d tell him: Keep your mouth shut. The more the players in this tragedy/drama/farce talk, the worse it gets. First came Edwards’ admission – through a spokesman – of paternity. Then came the dishing in Game Change. Then came…
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