Issues
The First Shots
It didn’t take long to commence firing. Republicans in the legislature said they’re cutting spending, and Governor Perdue said they’re jeopardizing jobs. The Gov’s office started Tweeting: “Senate debating proposal to raid NC’s jobs money. It would guarantee new jobs, business go to other states.” “Va. Gov has already asked for…
Read MoreTeachers and Taxes
A friend who is knowledgeable about the state budget gave me this factoid: Extending the “temporary” one-cent sales-tax increase would get North Carolina through the budget crisis without laying off one teacher or teacher assistant. No cuts in the classroom. For Governor Perdue, that could be a fight worth fighting. Yes,…
Read MorePerdue’s Road Back
President Obama’s speech and Speaker Thom Tillis’s remark define the chasm between Democrats and Republicans – and the opening for Governor Perdue in 2012. Obama talked Tuesday about “investments” that will “win the future.” Tillis said Wednesday: “I believe government needs to be as small as possible to provide for people’s safety, to…
Read MoreAttention Must Be Paid
Looking back, President Obama made a huge strategic error in 2010: He let voters think he was spending too much time reforming health-care and not enough time creating jobs. He learned a lesson. He now promises to focus on jobs, beginning with his State of the Union speech. But did Washington Republicans miss…
Read More“Idiot Bloggers”?
I’m sure Tom Fetzer wasn’t talking about Carter and me last weekend when he urged North Carolina Republicans to ignore “idiot bloggers.” But I’m sure he was talking about the idiots who virtually hijacked our blog last year with attacks on Fetzer and other candidates for GOP party chair. It got so bad…
Read MoreCarter’s Advice to Perdue
Now that the trial lawyers are listening to Carter, maybe Governor Perdue should too. He posted a blog last week, “Perdue Upside Down,” about her political dilemma. He concluded: “Perdue has a choice: She can ignore her other problems and set to work convincing voters that, whatever her flaws, her Republican opposition is…
Read MoreTax Bites Media
How many times have you read stories in the media along these lines: “Tax reform is difficult because special-interest groups always complain when their tax loopholes are threatened”? Then you’ll enjoy the following email from Randall Gregg of The Raleigh Telegram, president of the Triangle Press Club: IMPORTANT NOTICE: NC Tax Being Proposed…
Read MoreListening to NPR
The last two mornings listening to National Public Radio while driving to work has been like being assailed; folks are calling-in mad as hornets and every media pundit is thoroughly morally outraged and they’re all blasting away at the Tea Party, saying overheated political rhetoric caused the shootings in Arizona and Sarah Palin all but…
Read MoreA Voice of Sanity
Well, I predicted it Monday (“Commence Firing”). And while overheated political rhetoric may not necessarily lead to violence, violence certainly leads to overheated political rhetoric. Sarah Palin says it’s a “blood libel” to criticize her for placing Democrats — including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — under crosshairs during the 2010 election and talking about…
Read More