General
MOHOPs Do in Cain
Herman Cain may heed my wish and stay in the presidential race, but he has fallen prey to a political form of termites that I call MOHOPs – for headlines and stories that begin “Members of His/Her Own Party….” In Cain’s case, MOHOPs are fellow Republicans who say things like “he’s a zombie; he’s…
Read MoreFaison Takes a Swing
Bill Faison is like a boxer who took a knockout swing, missed and left himself wide open for the counterpunch. The day after Monday’s indictments, Faison told Laura Leslie at WRAL-TV: “I think, ultimately, Gov. Perdue will do the right thing and decide not to run. I don’t believe you’ll ever see her file.” …
Read MoreWhat’s the Fallout?
Monday’s campaign-finance indictments gave everybody something. Republicans, of course, are chortling over the potential problems for Governor Perdue. Although, notably, Reps. David Lewis and Skip Stam sounded cautionary notes over how hard it can be to interpret campaign laws. As well they should, for some Republican will get tripped up. Count on it. …
Read MoreDark Deeds Indeed
It sounds like a Seal Team Six operation: “As North Carolina Republicans tell it, the Obama for America volunteers stole in under cover of night and stayed, undetected — noticed belatedly only because of election results across the state.” That’s the New York Times account – “Team Obama Gears Up for 2012” – of…
Read MoreWho’ll Be Giving Thanks in 2012?
A year from now, Republicans or Democrats will be celebrating victory in the Presidential race. But a recent breakfast exchange suggests neither side is confident now: A Republican: “Romney is bound to get the nomination, and he won’t excite the Republican base. Obama will win, he’ll carry North Carolina, and he’ll pull Perdue in…
Read MoreThanks for Thanksgiving
It’s my favorite holiday. No presents, no carols, no decorating (until you start on Christmas), just food and family. Also, for me this year, some golf and the State basketball and football games. It’s the quintessential American celebration. Plus, it’s always on Thursday. So you get a guaranteed four-day weekend, or maybe five,…
Read MoreLayoff Numbers Game
Here’s a TAPster’s interesting talk on the flap about how many job layoffs the legislature caused: “Sometimes it’s hard to tell who has better aim at their feet these days, the Democrats or the Republicans — and whether there’s anyone out there holding them accountable for their poor politics or obfuscating rhetoric. The latest…
Read MoreMy Date With Natalie Wood
News that the investigation has been reopened into Natalie Wood’s death recalls what might have been. As a young man, I had a serious case of the hots for Natalie. Some years later, around 1981 or so, she was in the Triangle filming “Brainstorm,” which would be her last movie. Governor Hunt, then…
Read MoreFracked Up
For all my digital-media enthusiasm, I still have one foot firmly planted in the old media world. Especially when I can spend a fine Sunday morning perusing the N&O and New York Times. And especially when it leads to a realization like yesterday’s: North Carolina will have a war over fracking in 2012. …
Read MoreThe 9 Percent
Everybody’s talking about the 99 percent and the 1 percent. I’m interested in the 9 percent: the percentage of Americans that polls say approve of Congress’ performance. Who are these people? What are thinking? And what will the percentage be when the congressional budget supercommittee, as appears inevitable, fails to reach a Grand…
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