General
Another Can of Worms for Republicans?
The last thing Republicans needed right now was to open a new can of worms but they may have done just that. Senator Bill Frist (and Congressman Dennis Hastert) have called for Congress to investigate the ‘leak’ of classified information to the Washington Post about “a web of secret prisons being used to harass and…
Read MoreAdolf Hitler?
It never does to take politics too seriously. Sometimes, the only defense is a good sense of humor. Far be it from me to criticize anyone for running a negative ad – but the people who make political ads, and the campaigns and candidates do get a little carried away at times. In Virginia, Republican…
Read MoreThe Virtues of Blogging
The News & Observer ran a front-page article Tuesday on John Edwards’ statement that “I was wrong” to vote for the Iraq war. Edwards announced the switch in an op-ed article that ran in the Washington Post Sunday. But alert bloggers knew what Edwards was going to say more than a month ago. His wife…
Read MoreThe Politics of Indictments
It is striking how much of todayâs political conversation â in Raleigh and in Washington â is centered on indictments and criminal investigations. Witness: · Nationally, Democrats hope the stench of corruption around the White House and Tom Delay will help them retake Congress next year. · In the state, Republicans have been warning darkly…
Read MoreHere’s Why Mike Easley is Governor
If you saw ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ a few years ago, you may remember the Governor of Texas doing a song and dance routine called ‘Dancing the Two-Step with the Press.’ Governor Easley gave us a first class example of how that works at his press conference about the lottery scandal last week.…
Read MoreMorgan’s Opponent
According to The Pilot, Pinehurst Republican Joe Boylan says he is considering challenging state Representative Richard Morgan in the primary next year. Three years ago, Morgan broke with House Republicans to form a coalition with Democratic House leader Jim Black. Morgan had his reasons for not supporting the Republican Caucus choice for Speaker. But nobody…
Read MorePromoting Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center
Two Raleigh public relations firms have been having a ‘little tiff’ over which of them should get the most government contracts. Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center found a unique solution. It hired both. Capstrat – the Raleigh Public Relations firm – will receive a $12,000 monthly retainer. French/West will receive $4,000 per month. So, how about…
Read MoreThe War and 2006
Having (apparently) escaped indictment, Karl Rove reportedly has returned to full action in the White House. Among other chores, he is said to be recruiting Republican candidates for 2006. Two speeches by U.S. Senators frame the dilemma that will dominate next year’s elections – for Rove and for Democrats. First, John McCain spoke out about…
Read MoreWhat a Difference a Year Makes
One year ago today, Democrats were down. John Kerry and John Edwards had lost. Erskine Bowles had lost. George Bush was riding high. Karl Rove was hailed as “the architect.” That was a political lifetime ago. Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey and California have Democrats high-fiving. Democrats won governor’s races in Virginia and New…
Read MoreMore Consultants
The News and Observer also reports the Mayor has hired another consultant for $300,000 to verify that his Convention Center is being built with an “energy efficient and environmentally friendly design.” City Councilman Philip Isley asked why the city needs to hire a consultant “when it has already paid architects to design a green [environmentally…
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