Posts by Gary Pearce
The Edwards Prognosis
Cancer is cruel. Politics is cruel. John and Elizabeth Edwards now must live at the intersection of both. Much of the reaction to her cancer falls along predictable political lines. Supporters see admirable courage and determination. Opponents see breathtaking ambition and denial. The most misguided criticism is that John Edwards is pressing ahead because of…
Read MorePlaying Politics With Justice
President Bush says there was “nothing improper” about the U.S. Attorney firings. Strictly speaking, he’s right. U.S. Attorneys come and go with every administration. Karl Rove says of the whole flap: “It’s all a lot of politics.” He’s right: A lot of politics by the Bush Administration. Bush likes to pose as the principled leader…
Read MorePassing the Test
The 2008 Presidential campaign has been described as a freak show, a demolition derby and a two-year exercise in the politics of personal destruction. The race is already being decried by the high-minded journalistic and academic elite for its length, cost and brutality. Baloney. What we actually have here is the perfect process for picking…
Read MoreBrave New World
The 2004 Presidential campaign brought politics Internet fundraising, 529s and “swift-boating.” You ain’t seen nothing yet. For a taste of what’s to come this time, go to YouTube and see the “Hillary 1984” ad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWvHbOoG3tI. It’s clever, creative and cutting. It goes right to the heart of Hillary’s weakness with younger, Blog Democrats. To them,…
Read MoreOver-Downtowned, Part 2
A blog I wrote about Mayor Meeker’s focus on downtown stirred up some heated comments. So I have another question. A reader regularly forwards me copies of an online publication from the city called the “Livable Streets Newsletter.” And it’s all about downtown. You would think the only livable streets in Raleigh are downtown. My…
Read MoreA Republican Crackup?
Back when he was a Democrat, former Senator Lauch Faircloth used to say there were two things he didn’t understand: electricity and Republicans. I still don’t understand either one. I especially don’t understand the Republican presidential contest: John McCain seems to be shrinking before our very eyes. The strong, straight-talking, independent maverick of 2004 now…
Read MoreMayor of One Raleigh — or Two?
Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker must decide whether he wants to be mayor of all Raleigh – or just part. Tom Fetzer got elected mayor in the 90s by mobilizing North Raleigh against Inside the Beltline. With Carter Wrenn’s help, Fetzer tapped into a feeling that the city was spending too much money downtown and paying…
Read MoreHeckuva Job, Nicky?
ABC News reports that the Veterans Administration came up with a plan two years ago to make sure that American troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan get the medical care they need. It was called “seamless transition.” The purpose: Don’t let injured troops fall through the cracks when the military turns them over to the…
Read MoreScooter Libby and Walter Reed
Suppose Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & Co. had spent less time plotting revenge against critics of their pre-war intelligence hype – and more time making sure wounded troops received decent medical care: Scooter Libby wouldn’t be a convicted perjurer. Brave men and women wouldn’t have suffered so tragically. And this administration’s reputation for competence and trustworthiness…
Read MoreAnn Coulter
I’m thankful for Ann Coulter. Every time she opens her mouth, she hurts Republicans and conservatives with the general voting public. This weekend she slimed John Edwards with the “faggot” slur at a national conservative conference in Washington. Tellingly, no Republican has summoned the decency or courage to call her down. I’ve had a little…
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