National Republicans
Confusion reigns supreme
Nobody who does politics knows what’s up with politics now. Republicans can’t explain why Trump is winning. Democrats can’t explain why Clinton isn’t winning. Ask candidates, consultants, commentators and the media crowd for explanations, and they all mumble, fumble and stumble. A month ago, everybody thought Republicans were headed for a deadlocked convention and Democrats…
Read MoreMore Clinton vs Trump
Here are two more simple arguments for Hillary Clinton. The first comes, as in yesterday’s blog, from former Senator Bob Kerrey: “The Clintons did a good job on the economy the last time they were in the White House. I have every reason to think they will again.” The second is from a big Republican…
Read More“Who sucks less?”
That’s how former Senator Bob Kerrey says most Americans view the choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And a poll by The New York Times last week bears him out. Trump’s troubles: He is viewed unfavorably by 60 percent of women, 65 percent of voters age 18-29 and 68 percent of non-white voters. Clinton’s…
Read MoreDown the river we go
When Carter and I speak to groups, we often compare politicians to ants on a log floating down a river. The ant thinks: “I’ve got this log going good!” But the river is running things. So it is this election. A year ago, everybody thought it would Jeb Bush vs. Hillary. In North Carolina, we…
Read MoreSeriously, Pat?
The federal government is “overreaching?” And forcing the state to make a decision too quickly? That’s your response after taking just a few hours to pass one of the worst examples of state government overreach since the Speaker Ban Law? As a TAPster wrote, “After McCrory’s flip flop on HB 2, the governor’s mansion is…
Read MoreObama and the GOP
Earlier this week, I blogged about the President’s speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner – and his accomplishments in office. Also this weekend, an article in Sunday’s The New York Times Magazine brought to mind the striking contrast between Obama and the Republicans in Congress. In September 2008, less than two months before the…
Read MoreMad Man Wins
Donald Trump has conquered the Republican Party. He’ll now take the GOP over the cliff to disastrous defeat. Or be our next President. He dispatched Low-Energy Jeb, Little Marco and Lyin’ Ted. He turned Chris Christie into a fawning flatterer. Likewise the good Dr. Carson. He beat Carly Fiorina – twice. And Mike Huckabee and…
Read MoreHowl to the Chief
President Obama is not only one of our greatest Presidents,* but also our funniest. Watch this video of his speech to the White House Correspondents Dinner. No, he doesn’t write all the jokes. But he delivers them well. He skewered journalists, Republicans, Trump, Cruz and himself. You’ve probably read some of his best lines, but…
Read MoreFear and loathing, ’16
After Tuesday’s primaries, we face the likelihood of a mean, ugly campaign between two of the most polarizing people in American politics today. Where is Hunter Thompson when we need him? Only the good doctor, who wrote Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72, could do justice to what’s coming. Donald Trump’s negatives trump…
Read MoreThe great GOP crack-up
Like all Gaul, the Republican Party is divided into three parts, and all three seem to be at war with each, in North Carolina and nationally. In North Carolina, the Cultural Conservatives (Part I) who run the legislature have made HB2 – and the consequent economic damage – the big issue for 2016. That has…
Read More