Posts by Gary Pearce
Perdue and the Courts
Editorial writers, defense lawyers and letter-writers claimed that Governor Perdue was defying the courts and the “rule of law” in the life-doesn’t-mean-life brouhaha. But now one judge has agreed with her – and the Supreme Court has decided to review the matter. In truth, her critics’ rhetoric was just as overheated as the…
Read MoreKissell’s Bad Bet
The Washington Post had a story Sunday about how Larry Kissell’s vote against health care reform – and President Obama – has angered passionate Democrats who elected Obama and Kissell. The story concludes with a quote from me about Kissell: “That’s why they call them freshmen — because they make freshman mistakes. That’s why…
Read MoreA Ray of Sunshine
These have been dark and stormy days for Democrats. Every day, the headlines bring more gloom. Ruffin Poole takes the Fifth. Mike Easley hires Joe Cheshire. Tony Rand is accused of insider trading. Marc Basnight is forced to defend his political and physical health. Bev Perdue’s ratings are low. R.C. Soles faces trouble. David…
Read MoreKill the Bill
My friend and New Media guru Matt Gross argues that President Obama is wrong to keep pushing health-care reform up the steep Senate hill. Instead, Gross says, Obama should kill the bill, blame the Republicans and go to war over the public-option issue in the 2010 elections. The White House is hostage to…
Read MoreIntemperate?
The Greensboro News & Record and The News & Observer piled on Governor Perdue for being “angry” (GN&R) and “intemperate” (N&O) over the release of life-sentence inmates. They’re appalled that she’s “appalled…angry…disgusted…and furious” over murderers and rapists going free. Hold the presses. Is her concern so unreasonable? These are criminals who were sentenced…
Read MoreThe Next Head to Roll
Look for a third head to roll under the new Wake school board regime. First was ex-Chairman Kevin Hill. Then – as predicted in this blog (you could look it up) – Tharrington Smith law firm. Next up: Superintendent Del Burns. When the new crowd was recruiting candidates earlier this year, they…
Read MorePresidential Honesty
President Obama did something remarkable for a President in his speech to America about Afghanistan and in his Nobel Peace Prize speech. He told the truth about war. Bush misled us into Iraq. Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon misled and lied us into Vietnam. Even the sainted FDR misled Americans before WWII. (“Your boys…
Read MoreBev’s Lot
Here is the real world of politics. Imagine you’re Governor Perdue’s political adviser. You’re trying to solve her poll problems. You’re looking for policy ideas and initiatives she can push. You’re tweaking her schedule for maximum media. You’re branching into new media and online communications. Then you hear this exchange between a drug-store…
Read MoreTiger, Mark and John
Tiger Woods, Mark Sanford and John Edwards should arrange a threesome – on the golf course, that is. They have a lot in common. Like how to fall so far so fast. The Roaming Eye of the Tiger makes Sanford and Edwards look tame. Last I checked, Tiger was something like 10 or…
Read MoreWakeup Calls
Republicans may have awakened a sleeping giant in WakeCounty. First came the arrogance of the new school board majority. Then came the county commissioners’ Potty-Break Putsch. Suddenly, Wake County Democrats stopped griping about how President Obama, Governor Perdue and the Democratic Congress haven’t yet produced Utopia. They realize that last year’s election…
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