National Democrats
Go With Grandpa
President Biden passes the most consequential social and economic legislation in decades, despite dysfunctional D.C. Republicans. He rallies the free world behind Ukraine. He skillfully steers us through the dangerous and domestically divisive war in Gaza. But he stumbles on a word or a stage and the media writes that he’s old and Democrats should…
Read MoreTrump’s Trial
Should people be able to watch Mark Meadows sitting on the witness stand testifying against Trump on TV? The prosecutors say no. Trump says yes. Watching the trial on TV means you’ll be able to see whether Meadows sounds honest or shifty, whether the judge is fair or unfair. Not watching the trial means counting…
Read MoreJFK
In September 1960, John F. Kennedy brought his campaign for President to Raleigh. My parents, strong Democrats, supported him. They read that he and his entourage would stop at Glenwood Village Shopping Center a couple of miles from our house and get into a motorcade to Reynolds Coliseum at N.C. State College for a night-time…
Read MoreMedia Polls
Gary and I disagree a lot when it comes to politics but after reading his article yesterday about ‘Media Polls’ I thought, Amen. A New York Times poll ‘predicted disaster for Biden and Democrats in big states a year from now’ – but, as Gary pointed out, two days later, Democrats swept elections in ‘big…
Read MoreIgnore Media Polls
A week ago, The New York Times published a poll predicting disaster for President Biden and Democrats in big states a year from now. Two days later, voters gave Democrats big victories in big states: Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Why are media polls so wrong so often? My suspicion: they’re done on the cheap.…
Read MoreThe Donkey Kicks Back
Polls don’t predict. And media chatter don’t matter. Democrats across the country – and North Carolina – showed yesterday what matters: abortion rights, good candidates like Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and the hard work of organizing, raising money and communicating with voters about issues that matter. And democracy matters. As a wise old Democrat…
Read MorePoll Panic
The New York Times sent Democrats across America into shock Sunday morning with this story: “Trump Leads in 5 Critical States as Voters Blast Biden, Times/Siena Poll Finds.” There are three ways to look at this. First, don’t panic At the first poll briefing I ever went to, in Jim Hunt’s first campaign for governor…
Read MoreStumbles and Struts
Hamas slaughtered Israelis, anger shot across the internet – Biden said he ‘had Israel’s back.’ Israel bombed Gaza, civilians died, Biden said he wanted to give Gaza $100 million. Nursing an old grievance, after Hamas attacked Israel Trump mocked Netanyahu, called Hezbollah ‘very smart’ – that backfired. About facing Trump said he stood 100% with…
Read MoreAmen
Cameras rolled, the second Republican debate started, a surprising thing happened: Fox News played a video of Oliver Anthony singing, “These rich men north of Richmond, Lord knows they all just wanna have total control…” Out to get MAGA Republican viewers to increase ratings Fox News played Anthony singing about corrupt politicians. After dropping out…
Read MoreIronic
Attacking a court clerk in his New York trial, Trump put a post on Truth Social and on his campaign website. The judge, angry, ordered him to take it down. Trump nodded. But left the post on his campaign website. The judge slapped him with a $5000 fine. It’s ironic. Trump likes to say eighty-year-old…
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