General
A Price Production
“The War Room” has a sequel. There is now a film about the 2006 election – “HouseQuake” to go with the classic documentary about Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign. (I am compelled to insert here that I have a brief role in “The War Room.” I challenge you to find it.) Political junkies in…
Read MoreJust When Bev Perdue Thought It…
… couldn’t get any worse, it did. Her popularity dropped again. According to a poll last week an astonishing 63% of North Carolinians disapprove of the job Perdue is doing as Governor. She’s lost the support of Moderates, Conservatives, Independents, Republicans and half the Democrats who voted for her last November. All she has…
Read MoreWatch What You Think
Public Policy Polling did a poll that seems obvious: Fox viewers don’t like Obama, and MSNBC viewers do. But the point was reinforced last week by Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu (and UNC grad), in a talk in Chapel Hill. Kilar said the Internet is essentially a tool that enables us to watch…
Read MoreWillful Ignorance
Recently I was subjected to a speech by columnist-commentator George Will. He courageously took on Washington’s big spending. His implication was that President Obama is the culprit. To his credit, Will did acknowledge that George Bush’s prescription drug benefit – which doesn’t let the government negotiate lower prices – is part of the…
Read MoreWhat’s Wrong with the Conservative Movement?
The answer in a nutshell is Republicans in Washington. The other morning ole Newt Gingrich, who talks the talk and has gotten himself anointed as ‘conservative thinker’ numero uno turned his attention from Washington to Lake Placid, New York and endorsed a liberal who’d make Nancy Pelosi proud. Why would a deep-thinking Republican…
Read MoreDon’t Blame the Democrats
Most of my political conversations these days are about investigations, not elections. Especially about John Edwards and Mike Easley. This can’t be good for Democrats. But maybe the party can find shelter from the fallout. Try this: Neither Easley nor Edwards ever was a good party man. Easley rarely went…
Read MoreIt’s Not About You
When Ken Lewis entered the U.S. Senate race, he had a good story about his family’s rise from slavery and the farm. The N&O said he “vowed to support policies that would help other families pursue the American dream.” Lewis said: “That arc of progress that begins right here in PersonCounty at the…
Read MoreI’ve Been Selected!
I’ve been chosen – according to the official-looking letter – to be part of the 2009 Congressional District Census! And to whom do I owe this honor? Michael Steele, chairman of the national Republican Party. His letter tells me that I am “one of a select few” chosen for the Census in…
Read MoreBowles and Burr
Some Democrats will no doubt grumble about Erskine Bowles joining ex-foe Senator Richard Burr’s economic-development summit. Burr no doubt welcomes the bipartisan image as he begins his reelection campaign. Bowles no doubt would tell critics he’ll work with anybody to help the university and the state. Truth is, Bowles was never comfortable…
Read MoreHow Government Works: No Bid Contracts
Last January Governor Perdue decided to climb out on a limb and appointed a health care lobbyist, Lanier Cansler, head of state health care programs. Of course, Secretary Cansler came into office with a welter of conflicts of interest. His old clients – like the Nursing Home Association – do business with his department.…
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