North Carolina – Republicans
An Old Problem
Years ago sitting in a Republican convention I stared at a stranger standing at a microphone – I had no idea who he was but we were on opposite sides and when he finished speaking I had no doubt he’d handed us a problem. Back then Bob Orr was what I called a Mountain Republican.…
Read MoreClouds on the Horizon
In a small Virginia church at the end of the Roaring Twenties my grandfather married my grandmother – a month later the Stock Market crashed. During the Great Depression he struggled for a decade. Hitler marched into Austria and Czechoslovakia, German tanks rolled over Poland, Belgium, France, British soldiers fled Dunkirk. Staring at storm clouds…
Read MoreThe 13th District Republican Primary
The primary’s heating up in the new 13th Congressional District – there’re 14 candidates in all but four are dominating the race: Kelly Daughtry, Fred Von Canon, Brad Knott and DeVan Barbour. DeVan Barbour and Kelly Daughtry both ran in the primary two years ago. Barbour finished 2nd. Daughtry 3rd. Both are from Johnston County…
Read MoreThe Republican John Edwards
Bill Graham, a Republican candidate for governor, is trying to become the second trial lawyer to win high office in North Carolina. The first was John Edwards, a Democrat who was elected U.S. Senator in 1998. Like Edwards, Graham comes from humble roots and made millions of dollars as a plaintiffs’ lawyer representing little guys…
Read MoreHunt, Helms and MLK
I was struck last week by Republican politicians posting tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., even as they fight everything he stood, marched and died for. Forty years ago, in 1984, the King holiday was a big issue in the Senate race between Jesse Helms and Jim Hunt. Helms opposed the holiday. He filibustered…
Read MoreDemocrats Show Up
Democrats are fired up. Republicans are fleeing the fight. Democrats have candidates competing for 168 of the 170 state House and Senate seats. Republicans fielded candidates in only 137 races. It’s clear which party has energy and enthusiasm going into 2024. When Anderson Clayton was elected state Democratic chair last February, she pledged to contest…
Read MoreTillis vs Trump
Senator Thom Tillis stood up to MAGA Mark Robinson. Now he should stand up to Donald Trump. Tillis, North Carolina’s senior Senator, endorsed Bill Graham over Robinson in the Republican primary for governor. Robinson promptly labeled Tillis one of the “RINO elites” plotting “to take me down.” Previously, Robinson blasted as “cowards” unnamed Republicans “who…
Read MoreCapital Corruption
Corruption will be big in North Carolina politics in 2024. As soon as House Speaker Tim Moore (pictured) announced his run for Congress, his Republican opponent Pat Harrigan, a former Army Green Beret who won two Bronze Stars in Afghanistan, ambushed him: “Tim Moore carries a legacy of corruption, from being bought and paid for…
Read MoreOblivious on Abortion
It was THE story of Tuesday’s elections, but Wednesday night it took NBC 90 minutes to ask Republican presidential candidates about abortion. Their answers were tortured, because Republicans know they’re in trouble on the issue. But why didn’t NBC ask them sooner and push them harder? Why is big media so oblivious to the power…
Read MoreAbortion Lies
Watching Democrats and abortion rights win across the country Tuesday night, I tweeted: “Just a reminder that Mark Robinson and NC Republicans want a total ban on abortion, including in cases of rape and incest.” Several Republicans tweeted back, “That’s a lie.” One said, “It’s a lie. Please stop.” No. It’s true. And I won’t…
Read More