Posts by Gary Pearce
The Disloyal Democrat
Democrats broke the supermajority. But they can’t keep it broke if their own members break ranks. Last week, Senator Don Davis of Pitt County was the only Democrat who voted with Republicans to override Governor Cooper’s veto of a controversial abortion bill. The override passed, thanks to Davis. Democrats are livid. They say the bill,…
Read MoreThey Hate Teachers Too
Last week, I blogged that a lot of Republican politicians “hate public schools.” A reader agreed, but asked: “Why?” Well, it’s not just public schools. They hate teachers too. Before, during and after the teacher rally last week, the politicians and their John Locke-Civitas amen chorus hammered away at what Senator Phil Berger called “the…
Read MoreThe War on Public Schools
Teachers came to Raleigh Wednesday to teach politicians about the public schools. But what did the teachers learn about the politicians? They need to learn this: A lot of the politicians hate public schools. They won’t admit it, especially around Election Day. But look at what they do. And who they listen to. They don’t…
Read MoreFire first, facts last
Civic debate in America has become little more than a fast-draw contest, as demonstrated anew by the runup and the reaction to the Mueller Report’s release. Our motto: Ready, fire, aim. We hardly notice that our real enemy has taken dead aim. And hit his target squarely. The enemy is Vladimir Putin. His target was…
Read MoreThe Perils of Purity
One of the hardest things to do in politics is to tune out the loud voices of insiders so you can hear the real voices of real voters. Used to be, the loud voices were hangers-on at headquarters and regulars at rallies and fundraisers. Now they’re on social media, Facebook and Twitter. A report in…
Read MoreDwane
Dwane Powell was an Arkansas farm boy who became a North Carolina institution. Politicians knew they’d made it when Dwane skewered them. Framed Powell cartoons decorate walls all over the state. People treasure doodles he did on napkins in bars and restaurants. For those of a certain age and mindset, he was Mad Magazine come…
Read MoreDuking it out, Round 3
Last week I posted a back-and-forth about the state ordering Duke Energy to clean up and move coal ash. A guest blogger charged that Duke has lost touch – and clout – with powerful people in Raleigh. A Duke exec asked me to take down the blog. Instead, I let Duke respond. Today let’s talk…
Read MoreWill Democrats Go Young?
2020 will mark 60 years since America elected its youngest President, John F. Kennedy. He succeeded America’s then-oldest President. JFK was 43; Ike was 70. Next year, Trump will be 74. Just saying. Will the torch be passed to a new generation? That depends on two things: Will Democrats go young with their nominee? And…
Read MoreDuking it out, Round 2
Duke Energy has taken issue with a guest blog posted Tuesday “Duke it out.” Today the company responds. The blog at issue addressed the state’s order that Duke dig up and relocate millions of tons of coal ash at its old power plants, “a task of truly staggering logistical and financial consequences.” The blogger said…
Read MoreDuke it out
No, this is not more bashing of Duke basketball, Coach K and Zion. These are observations sent along by a veteran of Raleigh’s utility-regulation wars, who shall remain nameless: The headlines today should terrify anyone who remains a shareholder of Duke Energy because it confirms the utility’s political clout in the state is zero. Duke…
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