Posts by Gary Pearce
Karl Rove and the Wizards of Oz
There is one thing on which all political consultants of all political stripes agree: the importance of perpetuating the myth of political consultants. And there is one thing on which all political candidates agree: the importance of minimizing the myth of political consultants. As a recovering political consultant, I consider myself an expert on both…
Read MoreNew York, New York
It’s been 60 years since both parties nominated New Yorkers for President (FDR vs. Dewey). But today, New Yorkers lead the race for both parties (Clinton vs. Giuliani). I already hear the quibbling that Hillary’s no New Yorker. My position is, if they elected her to the Senate twice, she’s a New Yorker. In fact,…
Read MoreHe Should Know
Here’s a winner in the Lack of Self-Awareness Contest: Disgraced DA Mike Nifong, forced to give up his law license, complained about the unfairness of the legal system. Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles
Read MoreOut of Iraq? Not so much.
Wait ‘til the blogroots get this. The New York Times says: “Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years.” The Times said all three top candidates –…
Read More“I Can Win.” A Winning Strategy?
John Edwards might well be the Democratic Party’s strongest candidate against any Republican in 2008. But he can’t make that argument. Some Republican strategists say Edwards is their perfect nightmare: a smart, articulate Southerner who taps into voters’ anger against Bush, overzealous right-wingers and overreaching corporations. But this Edwards strategy dares not speak its name.…
Read MoreJim Hunt’s Gift to Mike Easley
Governor Easley’s spokesman said the Governor plans to spend this month reading all the bills enacted by this year’s legislature and deciding whether to sign them or veto them. For which he can thank my old boss Jim Hunt. Jim Hunt first took office as Governor 30 years ago this year – in 1977. Back…
Read MoreGive Back the Dirty Money
The North Carolina Democratic Party needs to shed the stink of video poker money. A federal grand jury in Asheville has indicted 21 people for illegally operating video poker machines in 15 western N.C. counties. The allegations include bribery of two Buncombe County sheriff’s deputies. Joe Sinsheimer’s complaint to the State Board of Elections this…
Read MoreSonny Boy Joyner
It’s one of my favorite political trivia questions: In 1972, George McGovern carried only two of North Carolina’s 100 counties against Richard Nixon. What are the two counties? Most people can guess Orange (Chapel Hill). But few guess the other: Northampton County in northeast North Carolina. Sonny Boy Joyner was the man responsible. He put…
Read MoreJoe Sledgehammer
Joe (the Sledgehammer) Sinsheimer may be the most powerful person in Raleigh today. On Monday, he files another campaign-finance complaint with the State Board of Elections. On Tuesday, it’s the lead story in The News & Observer. Last year, Sinsheimer had the guts to take on Jim Black when no one else would. For his…
Read MoreA Line in the Sand
The Iraq battle lines are drawn in the presidential race. Republicans made clear in their debate this weekend that they want to keep troops in Iraq. Democrats are just as clear that they want troops out. So the American people will get to make a clear decision on the war next year. That should be…
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