Posts by Gary Pearce
Rout of the OWGs
Here’s one way to look at the 2008 election: The Old White Guys who were running things got fired. There’s George Bush, the MBA Presidency and all his OWGs running the war and the economy. There’s Mike Easley. Bev Perdue spent the final weeks of her campaign promising “change orders” on day one to put…
Read MoreTrapped by the Southern Strategy
Richard Nixon and Strom Thurmond ginned up the Southern Strategy in 1968. For 40 years, Dixie gave the Republicans an almost insurmountable edge in the Electoral College. The GOP won seven of the next 10 presidential elections. Now Republicans are trapped by their history. The only counties where Republicans gained in 2008 were in Appalachia…
Read MoreWomen Go Negative
John Drescher’s column in the N&O Saturday – “The fair sex? Not in politics” – was on the money. His money shot: “…based on the recent campaigns, it’s hard to claim that women are more ethical and fair than men.” He cited Liddy Dole’s “godless” ad – “the national cheap shot of the year.” He…
Read MoreCompetence, for a Change
You will recall that George W. Bush was going to give America the “MBA Presidency.” Apparently, that turned out to mean “Management by A–holes.” The Republicans were done in by the Bush team’s incompetent management of Iraq, Katrina and the economy. Ironically, the Obama campaign – and, so far, the transition – holds the competence…
Read MoreCompetence, for a Change
You will recall that George W. Bush was going to give America the “MBA Presidency.” Apparently, that turned out to mean “Management by A–holes.” The Republicans were done in by the Bush team’s incompetent management of Iraq, Katrina and the economy. Ironically, the Obama campaign – and, so far, the transition – holds the competence…
Read MorePerdue’s Fresh Start
Governor-elect Bev Perdue is wrestling with two public images. One is the picture in Sunday’s N&O of her with Marc Basnight, with Basnight looming over her. The other is her vow election night to make a “fresh start.” Her speech was odd. She sounded tired, even touchy. She reprimanded the crowd for not listening. Clearly,…
Read MoreEdwards Ten Years After
A young, fresh Democratic underdog upsets an older, entrenched Republican United States Senator. North Carolina Democrats take heart. Washington welcomes a promising new face. Today it’s Kay Hagan. Ten years ago this month it was John Edwards. Today Edwards gives speeches and the questions are pre-screened. Of course, the hosts insist, it has nothing to…
Read MoreAn Articulate President
The sight of Barack Obama and George Bush together at the White House was striking in many ways. For one thing, what will it be like, as Joe Biden would say, to have an articulate President, one who can speak clearly – and write powerfully? I don’t want to overdraw this comparison, but skill with…
Read MoreJosh Stein and New Raleigh
No race shows more dramatically how Raleigh has changed than Josh Stein’s smashing 3-to-2 victory over Johnny Mac Alexander in Senate District 16. Alexander is prototypical Old Raleigh. He and his family are pillars of the city’s long-time business and social elite. He graduated from Broughton. He and his family have done great work at…
Read MoreIf John McCain Had Won
No, not if he had won last Tuesday. If he had won eight years ago, in 2000. If he had withstood the Bush smear machine in South Carolina. If he had picked a true maverick with real qualifications, like Chuck Hagel, for his running mate. If he had beaten Al Gore fair and square, with…
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