Posts by Gary Pearce
The Mike Easley Show
The old amateur boxer sure won yesterday’s round. Of course, the match isn’t over. And Governor Easley has more fights ahead. But he showed yesterday he can slip a punch – and land a few of his own. If I was a federal prosecutor, I’d think twice about going in the ring with…
Read MoreEasley on the Stand
Watching the hearings, you see why Mike Easley was the candidate and the other guys weren’t. It looked like their lawyers had cowed the other witnesses into being so careful and precise they came off slippery and evasive, even if they weren’t. Easley, by contrast, is charming, confident and commanding. Too busy with…
Read MorePushing the Envelope?
I’ve been quick to note lately that I supported Dennis Wicker in 2000. I remember the arrogance of some – not all – of Mike Easley’s people after they won. But I’ll say a word in their defense. The News & Observer said: “Easley camp pushed donation law’s limits.” News flash: So…
Read MoreSmall Change, Big Cost
Mike Easley was always described as quirky, but charming. Part of the charm was his reputation as a cheapskate. That was a good quality for a governor in a budget crisis. Now, not so good. Now he’s charged with flimflamming his campaign into paying $11,000 for home repairs. And maybe pocketing the insurance…
Read MoreDebating the Easley Hearings
Jane said it’s good the Board of Elections is digging into “pay for play” politics. Joe said it’s much ado about minor campaign reporting violations. Jane said we’re lucky to have The News & Observer. Joe said it’s a vendetta by John Drescher. Jane said the combination of big-time appointments, free…
Read MoreThe Hunt Library
Today is one of those days I’m glad I’m in politics. I went to the groundbreaking for the James B. Hunt, Jr. Library on the Centennial Campus at N.C.State. There were tributes to Hunt and his contributions to North Carolina – especially for giving NCSU the land that become the Centennial Campus. …
Read MoreA Price Production
“The War Room” has a sequel. There is now a film about the 2006 election – “HouseQuake” to go with the classic documentary about Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign. (I am compelled to insert here that I have a brief role in “The War Room.” I challenge you to find it.) Political junkies in…
Read MoreWatch What You Think
Public Policy Polling did a poll that seems obvious: Fox viewers don’t like Obama, and MSNBC viewers do. But the point was reinforced last week by Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu (and UNC grad), in a talk in Chapel Hill. Kilar said the Internet is essentially a tool that enables us to watch…
Read MoreWillful Ignorance
Recently I was subjected to a speech by columnist-commentator George Will. He courageously took on Washington’s big spending. His implication was that President Obama is the culprit. To his credit, Will did acknowledge that George Bush’s prescription drug benefit – which doesn’t let the government negotiate lower prices – is part of the…
Read MoreDon’t Blame the Democrats
Most of my political conversations these days are about investigations, not elections. Especially about John Edwards and Mike Easley. This can’t be good for Democrats. But maybe the party can find shelter from the fallout. Try this: Neither Easley nor Edwards ever was a good party man. Easley rarely went…
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