National Republicans
Published stories from my memoir in The Assembly
John Bolton: “Reagan lost the first five primaries to Gerald Ford in 1976 – then upset Ford in North Carolina. Carter Wrenn ran Reagan’s North Carolina campaign. He tells a compelling story about American politics, from Reagan to Trump.” Stephen Mansfield, New York Times bestselling author: “Our generation is awash in a sea of thin…
Read MoreMandate?
Trump boasts that his election – by 1.5% in the popular vote – gives him a “mandate.” Which reminds me of what Jim Hunt said after one of his four elections as governor. (I forget which one, but I do remember that his margins of victory ranged from 9.5 to 31%.) A reporter asked Hunt,…
Read MoreHad Enough?
There was a moment after Trump won when he could have sowed healing. Brought us together. But Trump’s a fighter. Not a healer. The media didn’t change either. It went from howling to defeat Trump – or Harris – to howling about Matt Gaetz and Trump’s cabinet picks. In a way, that wasn’t surprising: Howls…
Read MoreMy Memoir
John Bolton: “Reagan lost the first five primaries to Gerald Ford in 1976 – then upset Ford in North Carolina. Carter Wrenn ran Reagan’s North Carolina campaign. He tells a compelling story about American politics, from Reagan to Trump.” Stephen Mansfield, New York Times bestselling author: “Our generation is awash in a sea of thin…
Read MoreMeeting Ronald Reagan
Back in 1975, I met Ronald Reagan at a dinner in Raleigh. That fall he ran for President – I ran his North Carolina primary, working with Jesse Helms (one of two U.S. Senators who endorsed Reagan) and Tom Ellis (Reagan’s North Carolina Chairman). Reagan lost the first five primaries to Gerald Ford – his…
Read MoreRecessional
The tumult and the shouting dies; The Captains and the Kings depart: Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Victoria ruled for 60 years, Great Britain was the most powerful nation on earth, but its strength was ebbing. Rudyard Kipling, in a short poem in 1897, wrote about battles the British…
Read MoreMistakes and Miss-Takes
Bert Bennett of Winston-Salem, the legendary political godfather to Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt, had a terse dismissal of election post-mortems: “When you win, everything you did was right. When you lose, everything you did was wrong.” Democrats can select from a lengthy list of excuses and explanations for Kamala Harris’ loss. Like, “It was…
Read MoreNo Healing?
Biden got out. Harris got in. Trump got shot. Insults flew. The election boiled down to seven states. It’s over tomorrow night – and Lord willing Wednesday the sun will rise on a peaceful day. And healing begins. But what if…as Trump watches votes roll in tomorrow night, leading Harris, he announces he won. But…
Read MoreA Tale of Two Rallies
The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. And it could easily swing a close election. Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden Sunday was hateful, divisive and mean-spirited. Kamala Harris’ rally in front of the White House Tuesday was hopeful, unifying and uplifting. She drew the contrast in her speech: “I pledge to you to…
Read MoreA Different Drummer
Russia’s targeting Hispanic voters in six swing states, spreading tales on the internet during our election. Iran’s targeting Arab Americans, Muslims, and Black voters in swing states. China’s spinning tales in Spanish on Facebook, YouTube and X, targeting Hispanic voters not just in the Presidential race but in House and Senate races. And it hacked…
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