North Carolina – Democrats
Republican Hunt
John Davis, late of NCFREE has an interesting take (one I like, obviously) on Jim Hunt in his recent report. Davis says the Republican Party in North Carolina has failed to produce a political leader as skilled as Hunt. He identifies Hunt’s key strengths as pragmatism and persuasiveness. Davis recounts his meeting with…
Read MoreRules of the Road
Governor Perdue’s Highway Patrol news conference was better than it read. You can watch the whole thing here. But she better hope her tough talk solves the Patrol’s problems. Because it obviously didn’t solve her media – and political – problems. It’s never good when the Page 1 photos are of you, hands…
Read MoreOrange Water
Unless you happen to subscribe to the Asheville Citizen Times, you probably missed this article by columnist John Boyle about North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Young: Citizens Times.com May 27, 2010 Time for David Young to do the right thing John Boyle COLUMNIST Really, David? I can’t believe how…
Read MoreOff the Hook
The Department of Health and Human Services has to be my favorite part of state government – it’s the perfect blend of bungling, chicanery and politics all built on a foundation of good intentions. Over the past year Secretary Lanier Cansler – who’s sort of a combination of Fagan and Houdini – has been…
Read MoreRunoff Upside
Conventional wisdom is that runoffs are hurtful. Not always. Elaine Marshall’s runoff helped her. Helped her especially with her most important target right now: the national fundraising community. If Cunningham hadn’t called for a runoff, doubts would have lingered about Marshall’s electability. As in: “She couldn’t even get 40 percent against a…
Read MoreWe’re on WRAL
Carter and I taped WRAL’s “On the Record” today for airing Saturday night at 7 p.m. Or you can watch it on the station’s website. We were with anchor Bill Leslie and WUNC radio’s Laura Leslie (no relation to Bill). The topic, of course, was Tuesday’s runoffs and the November elections.
Read MoreE-NC Authority
A while back President Obama’s administration was giving cell phones to people on welfare and, now, State Senator Doug Berger has sponsored a bill to have the “E-NC Authority” provide broadband Internet service to the same folks. It is unclear how hard-pressed welfare recipients will get computers. Senator Berger’s bill may be seen as…
Read MoreWhy We Like Women
Women are winning everywhere: Elaine Marshall, Nikki Haley, Blanche Lincoln, Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman. North Carolina leads the way. Marshall would make two female Senators. A female governor. As Thomas Mills with the Marshall campaign pointed out, seven of ten statewide winners in 2008 were women. And women are moving up in the legislature…
Read MoreMarshall Arts
There’s a simple explanation for Elaine Marshall’s victory: Thomas Mills. Her homegrown campaign manager outwitted Cal Cunningham’s bigger-name team, defied the DSCC and disproved the doubters. Maybe one time in 10 the candidate with less money wins. This was one, and that’s a big win in politics. As Secretary of State, Marshall…
Read MoreMore With D.G.
D.G. Martin again has generously shared his radio time on WCHL (1360AM) with me. He did two more lengthy interviews about my book on Jim Hunt, which will be published in November. The final part of the program airs tonight at 6 pm. (Another segment aired last night.) Or you can listen on…
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