North Carolina – Democrats
NY Wipeout
Given President Obama’s visit here today, this is a timely and well-put rant from a North Carolina Democrat: “The head of the DNC - Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz - attributed last night’s staggering loss in New Yorks’ 9th CD to ‘a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn’t support the President to…
Read MorePolitics as Usual
The other morning on one page of the newspaper Governor Perdue (or rather the Perdue administration), pleading hard times, announced the Department of Health and Human Services will no longer pay for eye exams, and eyeglasses and dental care to Medicaid patients. On top of that times are so hard the department’s also limiting physical…
Read MoreThe Book on Bob Jordan
A biography of former Lt. Governor Bob Jordan, written by long-time North Carolina reporter and editor Ned Cline, is on the bookshelves. Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh will host a book signing and presentation by Jordan and Cline at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday. The book, “The Man From Montgomery,” traces Jordan’s life and…
Read MoreBev and Irene
Politico did the obligatory piece on Governor Perdue and Irene (quoting Brad Crone and me) and reminding us that politics is never far from a storm. “The storm packs a potentially pivotal political moment,” for Perdue, it said. And had this: “She shines in a battle, and this is going to be a battle.…
Read MorePress Office Follies
A TAPster shares this AP story: “RALEIGH — Gov. Beverly Perdue’s staff is taking the blame for failing to alert the North Carolina public sooner that the governor had declared a state of emergency for nearly 40 eastern counties for the approaching Hurricane Irene. “Perdue’s press office announced late Thursday morning her declaration, which sets…
Read MoreHuh?
The email from David Parker, state Democratic Party chairman, promised a rip-roaring attack on Republican leaders: “Tillis, McCrory and Berger: Turning Back The Clock On NC Schools.” Then came the first line: “Last week, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly decided to challenge a court ruling on pre-kindergarten access could lead to an…
Read MoreTillis’ Moves
A TAPster who is a veteran observer of legislators has a good take on State House speaker Thom Tillis: “Tillis who squirted from obscurity to the state’s most powerful politician in record time, is an adroit organizer, manager and fundraiser and is as politically sophisticated as most of us have ever seen. He’s made two…
Read MoreNo Friends at All?
No doubt the Governor can explain to her fellow Democrats why she’s fighting Republican legislators ‘tooth and nail’ but how on earth can she explain to Democrats she’s been bushwhacked from behind by the Obama Administration? The problem, Obama’s Justice Department says, is the Governor (or rather her minions who run Medicaid for her)…
Read MoreBev and Barack
From a message standpoint, Governor Perdue is stronger now than President Obama. The New York Times Sunday captured the White House’s dilemma: combat or compromise? The story said: “As the economy worsens, President Obama and his senior aides are considering whether to adopt a more combative approach on economic issues, seeking to highlight…
Read MoreFred Turnage
A friend chastised me – and rightly so – for not taking note of the July 31 death of long-time (1973-2007) Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage. It’s not just that Turnage was mayor for 34 years and not just that he was a progressive leader in difficult times. Rocky Mount has long been…
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