General
Fall of the Mighty
I’d give the front page of today’s N&O to any young person who aspires to go into politics. Ruffin Poole, the “little Governor,” gets indicted on 51 counts of corruption. Poole was Mike Easley’s “go-to guy.” Now he’s the guy the feds go to to get Easley. John Edwards confesses, says he’s…
Read MoreSheriffs as Chauffeurs
The other day over in Charlotte Governor Perdue called herself the ‘Jobs, Jobs and More Jobs Governor’ then chirruped she’s the education Governor but it doesn’t look like she’ll be calling herself the ‘Tough Crime Governor’ any time soon. At least not according to the newspaper and – inadvertently – her Secretary-and-Former- Lobbyist of…
Read MoreObama as Hamlet
President Obama just sent 30,000 soldiers to fight in Kabul so he’s got to be a little shocked to find himself branded as ‘soft’ on terrorism but there’s a reason: Obama as Hamlet. Obama-of-the-Divided-Mind. On one hand the President’s launching killer drones like crazy and dropping robot bombs out of the sky over Pakistan…
Read MoreThe Parent Trap
By now, North Carolinians can be forgiven for denying paternity of everybody involved in the John Edwards affair. Edwards surprised no one by finally admitting he’s the father. At least he beat ex-gofer Andrew Young’s book to the punch. Edwards had the good sense to fess up in a written statement – and…
Read MoreMass Hysteria
The polls hadn’t even closed in Massachusetts when Democrats formed up the requisite firing squad to fix the blame. In truth, there are three factors here. 1. Scott Brown had the greatest gift in politics: an inept and overconfident opponent. Did she really go on vacation in the Caribbean last month? 2.…
Read MoreObama Can’t Lose
Health-care reform may die in Massachusetts today, and Democrats across the country may panic, but a loss in the Senate race won’t be the death blow to the Obama Presidency that Republicans dream of. In fact, Obama wins either way. A Democratic win in Massachusetts guarantees enactment of reform. A Republican win gives him…
Read MoreThe Real Campaign
Nearly 50 years ago, Theodore White wrote a book, The Making of the President, that changed how campaigns are covered. Now Mark Halperin and John Heilemann have revolutionized the genre again with Game Change – in a way that says a lot about today’s politics, communications and culture. White told the inside story…
Read MoreQuote of the Year, So Far
Governor Perdue this week at the ribbon-cutting for a “green” McDonald’s in Cary: “I love McDonald’s. I eat here all the time, as you can see from my butt.”
Read MoreA Defense of Janet Cowell
A reader says my blog about Governor Perdue and Treasurer Janet Cowell “is a misread.” Here is the reader’s take on Cowell – and her battle with Perdue and DOT over Charlotte loop funding: “She’s a straight shooter, Gary, as close to pure and simple as you’ll find at that level of political…
Read MoreCouncil of State Headaches
You’d think Governor Perdue had enough problems with Republicans. But two of the biggest obstacles in her first year have been Democrats – Council of State members. This is nothing new. All Governors get to where they want to call a constitutional convention to abolish the Council of State. The conflict is inherent…
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