North Carolina – Republicans
Fetzer Out Front
Tom Fetzer stole the stage – literally – from Pat McCrory Tuesday night. McCrory had what seemed like a prime spot: introducing Senator Burr for his victory speech. But Fetzer was front and center in the photos and video of the bigger story: Republicans taking the legislature. Fetzer is in prime position…
Read MoreSalute, Carter
That old warhorse Carter pulled off another one. He’s had a history of guiding Republican Senate – and now congressional – candidates to unexpected victories: John East, Jesse Helms, Lauch Faircloth and, now, Renee Ellmers. He’ll be the first to tell you that it was, first and foremost, the national tide. But…
Read MoreA Small Problem
About a year ago, Governor Perdue’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, Lanier Cansler, a former lobbyist, did a strange thing: He gave an exclusive $30 million no-bid contract to a company that had only been in existence for two months – Prodigy Diabetes Care. Naturally, the press, suspicious, started digging and soon found…
Read MoreA Thumpin’
At this point, North Carolina Democrats are reduced to asking: How bad will it be? Will Republicans have only a slim margin in the state House and Senate – an invitation for coalition mischief? Or will they win upwards of 25 Senate seats and 65 House seats? Will Marc Basnight land on his…
Read MoreAmericans are United…on One Thing
WRAL released a new poll the other day. Senator Richard Burr leads Elaine Marshall by fifteen points but Marshall shouldn’t take it personally as the reason Burr leads has little to do with her. 54% of the voters are Unfavorable to President Obama – and it’s no coincidence Senator Burr is getting 53% of…
Read MoreA Bad File to Lose
Clerk of Court races generally don’t generate a lot of sound and fury but the other day in Raleigh Republican Jan Pueschel sent out an email about her opponent – Democrat Lorrin Freeman (the incumbent) – that set sparks flying. Almost everyone knows the story of Demario Atwater, who murdered UNC student Eve Carson…
Read MorePope Power
I wish I had a dollar for every time a Democrat has told me over the last decade: “We need something like a John Locke Foundation.” Democrats don’t, because they don’t have an Art Pope: somebody who puts his money – big money – where his convictions are. You know he’s made it…
Read MoreProsecution Complex
Ten days before the election, we learn there is a federal investigation into Governor Perdue’s 2008 campaign. It drowns out her push on state government reform. Which I seriously doubt was going to solve her political problems anyway. The first thing I heard from Democrats: Why is George Holding still there? Would a…
Read MoreRemain Calm
A wise old Democrat I know offered this thought about the prospect of big Republican gains next week: “Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. This may not be too bad a time to let them have the ball.”
Read MoreI Apologize If You’re Offended
It has to be the most insincere and overused political phrase of the year: “I apologize if anyone was offended by what I said.” In other words, “you’re an oversensitive wimp to be upset about what I said but I’ve got to make some kind of apology to satisfy the media.” The latest:…
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