The Power of Words

I’ve spent most of my life working with two materials: words and politicians. I’ve written about politicians, and I’ve written for them. As Jim Hunt’s main speechwriter his first two terms and frequent contributor the second two terms – along with dozens of other politicians I have worked with – I’ve probably written as much…

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Anti-Corporate Democrats

Richard Moore’s newest ad boasts that he has been “challenging the most powerful corporations.” He sounds like John Edwards, who blasted “corporate Democrats” in his campaign. And Moore is not the only one. Anti-corporate rhetoric is blooming among Democrats this spring. Even Hillary Clinton, who used to be on Wal-Mart’s board, has chimed in. It’s…

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Edwards to Hillary’s Rescue?

John Edwards helped save Bill Clinton a decade ago. Could he do the same for Hillary Clinton this year? After his election to the Senate in 1998, Edwards went to Washington with zero experience in public office. He had barely voted, let alone served in office. He had spent most of his adult life in…

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Primary Winner?

The Obama bandwagon slowed down this week. It’s tough being out front and taking incoming fire. And the shelling will get worse as more people see the videos of Obama’s pastor. The Clinton campaign still has hope. But, for all their kitchen sink strategy, there’s one argument they haven’t used: When you look only at…

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A Strange Definition of Republican

When former House Speaker Richard Morgan filed to run for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Republican Ed Kennedy reared back and hurled a mud ball at him, then someone posted it here on Talking About Politics. To call Mr. Kennedy’s letter to Mr. Morgan mean-of-spirit understates his eruption. He had an arm-waving tantrum. Calling Richard Morgan…

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Democratic Train Wreck

Democrats spent 40 years engineering the perfect presidential nomination system. Instead we engineered a perfect train wreck. We now are in perfect position to blow an election that should be ours. We have two strong, popular candidates for the nomination. Neither has put the race away. They are tired, frustrated and getting madder at each…

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Easley Steps Back

Governor Easley has taken two steps back – and one step forward – in his confrontation with The News & Observer. Last week, the Governor poked a stick in the N&O’s eye at a press conference – especially when he evaded Pat Stith at the Capitol. He also maintained – evidence to the contrary –…

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The Mystery of the Missing Aides

Follow this. The governor orders the press spokesman (Debbie Crane) at the Department of Health and Human Resources fired. But tells his press office to say her boss, Dempsey Benton, was the one who made the decision to fire her. Because she’s dishonest. Secretary Benton then tells the press the only reason he fired Crane…

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McCrory and the Basketball Arena

Watching Fred Smith zing Pat McCrory in the governor’s campaign is getting to be entertaining. At a debate last Saturday, railing against illegal immigration, GOP frontrunner McCrory said the federal government should build a $150 million prison in Charlotte to lock the rascals up. Then he added that there are so many illegal immigrants in…

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Go Negative, Young Men

The Richard Moore and Barack Obama campaigns have more in common that just that Moore endorsed Obama. Both seem to be debating the same question: Attack her? Obama’s debate is more open in the national media. His campaign clearly was thrown off balance by Clinton’s “kitchen sink” attacks. Now they’re trying to decide whether –…

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