North Carolina – Republicans
Perdue’s Helmsman
Mark Johnson of the Charlotte Observer is one of the best political reporters I know, but I don’t think his story about Zach Ambrose was quite fair about the campaign that Perdue’s transition chief ran. Johnson wrote: Ambrose comes into the job with some obvious challenges….(S)ome observers will be watching to see if he’s got…
Read MoreWhat’s Wrong with This Picture
The fight over the future of the Republican Party has spilled over into the state chairman’s race. Linda Daves has the job. Fred Smith, apparently, wants it. And there’s a third, lesser known, candidate. Daves’ critics say the last two elections prove she knows little about politics. Smith’s critics say he spent $2.5 million of…
Read MoreWomen and Politics
I was on a panel last week for the Women’s Networking Forum sponsored by Hunton & Williams law firm. The subject was “Lipstick, Pantsuits and Politics.” When I told my wife I would be talking about women and politics, she shot back: “Two of your favorite subjects.” And I actually know something about one of…
Read MoreThe Failure of the Southern Strategy?
When folks lose elections they go into paroxysms of contrition – usually confessing to the wrong sins. And when they win, there’s a parallel temptation – they attribute victory to virtues that had little to do with their success. Now, mi amigo Gary surely has a point when he says Republicans are in danger of…
Read MoreRout of the OWGs
Here’s one way to look at the 2008 election: The Old White Guys who were running things got fired. There’s George Bush, the MBA Presidency and all his OWGs running the war and the economy. There’s Mike Easley. Bev Perdue spent the final weeks of her campaign promising “change orders” on day one to put…
Read MorePerdue Launches Incumbent Protection Scheme
Bev Perdue’s gone back to being Miss Positive, setting up the Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns – a $50 million trust fund – to pay for her next campaign for governor. But there’s one catch: To get his share of her fund Perdue’s Republican opponent must pledge not to criticize her: No negative ads. Now…
Read MoreWomen Go Negative
John Drescher’s column in the N&O Saturday – “The fair sex? Not in politics” – was on the money. His money shot: “…based on the recent campaigns, it’s hard to claim that women are more ethical and fair than men.” He cited Liddy Dole’s “godless” ad – “the national cheap shot of the year.” He…
Read MorePoliticians Being…
Sometimes politicians just can’t help being politicians, which, most times, means they can’t help gilding the lily or coloring the truth, even when they don’t need to. Kay Hagan is dropping her lawsuit against Elizabeth Dole. Want to guess why? For the good of the people of North Carolina. Now, why couldn’t Hagan just say,…
Read MoreCompetence, for a Change
You will recall that George W. Bush was going to give America the “MBA Presidency.” Apparently, that turned out to mean “Management by A–holes.” The Republicans were done in by the Bush team’s incompetent management of Iraq, Katrina and the economy. Ironically, the Obama campaign – and, so far, the transition – holds the competence…
Read MoreChange
Carter and I spoke this morning to Leadership North Carolina about the political landscape today. The questions were interesting – and pointed: What do the Republicans do now? How will Bev Perdue govern and position herself for 2012? How will the state solve its fiscal problems? How will the feds pay for Medicare and Social…
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