North Carolina – Republicans
Warp Speed
It’s always easy to forget how fast things can change in politics. Then they do. Two weeks ago, the governor’s race had settled into a predictable story line: “Governor Perdue in a tough race for reelection against the same opponent she beat four years ago.” Today that story has disappeared. All the buzz…
Read MoreTillis and the Media
This topic is left over from when I was gone, but it demands comment. Thom Tillis threw another temper tantrum at the media. This is astoundingly bad judgment. Tillis got great media coverage through most of last year – the session and his listening tour. Things went sour after the midnight override of…
Read MoreArt Pope Responds
Following is an email from Art Pope responding to my blog post yesterday. I reprint it here in full, and I appreciate Art responding – and reading: Gary, I realize that in your blog you are simply reporting a story “going around,” and not vouching that it is true. Please let me assure…
Read MoreUnder the Dean Dome
As Rob Christensen wrote in his column Sunday, being booed at the Dean Dome a couple of weeks ago may have contributed to Governor Perdue’s decision not to run. And there’s another story going around about that game. According to this account, Republican puppet-master Art (“I Am Not An Heir”) Pope delivered a clear…
Read MoreState of Blues
Democrats are down in the dumps: Erskine Bowles and Joe Hackney are both out. And Heath Shuler (though there was less love loss there). The N&O’s top headline proclaims an “exodus” from the legislature. But take it from an old gray head: We’ve been down before. In 1988, Democrats had just lost a…
Read MoreWaiting
It’s a rule of political thumb: the longer it takes a potential candidate to decide whether to run, the more likely the answer will be no. Still, North Carolina Democrats sit and wait while Erskine Bowles sits and ponders. And time’s a’wasting. The primary is in three months, the election in nine. …
Read MoreBev’s Money
Among the people maddest at Governor Perdue are those who gave money to her campaign – especially big money when she was putting on a big push recently. She hasn’t decided what to do with the million-plus she has. Give it back? Give it to charity? Here’s an idea: turn the money over…
Read MoreMcCrory’s Needle is Stuck
Pat McCrory’s announcement statement showed that he hasn’t figured out how this campaign has changed. McCrory has spent four years running against Bev Perdue. Now he’s like Wiley Coyote running over the cliff: his legs are still pumping but there’s nothing underneath him anymore. To switch metaphors, he’s signing the same old song.…
Read MoreA Sign
The two things that matter most in a political campaign are being right with the Lord and money. Today, candidates in the Republican Primary for Congress in the 13th District filed their year-end FEC reports. They showed total income for each campaign: George Holding: $462,500. Paul Coble: $135,200. Now, before I go any…
Read MoreQuitting Time
In politics, you’re never beaten until you give up. Governor Perdue is now officially beaten. She proclaims she’ll keep fighting and she’s no lame duck. She apparently gave a rousing speech to the Sanford-Hunt-Frye dinner. Still, she’s laying down her sword and walking off the field of battle. No doubt she feels beat…
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