North Carolina – Democrats
Wake Up, America
A dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, locked down during COVID, he called, surprised me asking: ‘Ford beat Reagan in the first 5 primaries in ‘76 – how on earth did Reagan beat Ford in North Carolina?’ The day we lost the Vietnam War mothers and fathers who’d lived through World War II, watching Russian tanks roll into Saigon,…
Read MoreEducation Governor
With a better General Assembly, Josh Stein could join Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford on North Carolina’s Mount Rushmore of Education Governors. While the Governor set a bipartisan tone in his State of the State speech last night, he set out a clear challenge on education to Republicans who control the legislature. He challenged them…
Read MoreDeborah Ross’ Rx
Curmudgeonly Cajun James Carville says Democrats just need to “roll over and play dead” and wait for Trump’s inevitable collapse in the polls. Curmudgeonly Senator Bernie Sanders vehemently disagrees: “Democrats have been playing dead for too many years.” He’s waging war on “the oligarchy.” Curmudgeonly me thinks Rep. Deborah Ross of Raleigh has a better way:…
Read MoreJeanette Hyde
Jeanette Hyde went from Miss Yadkin County to Madam Ambassador. Hyde, who died Monday at age 86, was described in her family’s obituary as “a trailblazing diplomat, political activist, businesswoman, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.” She was a devoted Democrat, a fierce advocate for women in politics and a tireless fundraiser – for Bill and Hillary…
Read MoreThe Best Way to Steal an Election
We’ve heard a lot about stolen votes – but here’s the best way to steal an election: Redraw a congressional district, take out the voters you don’t like, put in more voters do you like. If you stuff the district with Republicans, the Republican wins. If you stuff it with Democrats, the Democrat wins. The…
Read MoreJoe John
State Representative Joe John, who died today, looked something like a friendly but fierce bulldog. He fiercely loved the law and our system of justice. He loved public service. He was one of few people to serve with distinction in all three branches of state government: judicial, executive and legislative. He loved baseball and the…
Read MoreWomen Warriors
The Democratic Party needs to get tougher, and that’s a job for Democratic women. Sydney Batch (photo), the new Senate Democratic leader in North Carolina, signaled a tougher approach toward Republicans in an op-ed in The News & Observer: “Gerrymandered voting maps, efforts to strip power from Democratic elected officials and the consolidation of authority…
Read MoreStein’s Party Lines
Governor Josh Stein wisely ignored my semi-serious suggestion that he devote his inaugural speech to denouncing power-obsessed Republican bosses in the General Assembly. But he made the point. He said, “We have real problems to solve. And we do not have time to settle petty political scores or fight divisive culture wars.” The Governor noted…
Read MoreDisaster Duty
Climate change has changed governors’ jobs. They now must be masters of disasters: floods, fires, hurricanes and winter storms. As soon as he was sworn in, Governor Josh Stein signed executive orders for Hurricane Helene relief. He went to hard-hit communities to see the situation and talk to victims. Just like with Roy Cooper eight…
Read MoreInaugural Punch
Governor Josh Stein likely will seek common ground with Republicans in his inaugural speech Saturday. Instead, I wish he’d punch them in the nose from the get-go and pummel them across the stage until he sits down. I wish he’d say, “The greatest threat to North Carolina’s strength, growth and progress in the coming four…
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