North Carolina – Republicans
Josh and Mark
Years ago when Ronald Reagan ran for president against Gerald Ford most GOP party officials were unhappy – they didn’t like Reagan. That didn’t turn out to make much difference in the primary. Republican voters liked Reagan – so he beat Ford in NC’s primary. The other day I read an article in the newspaper…
Read MoreBlue Wolves, Red Wolves
Voice frail staring into TV cameras Democrat state legislator Tricia Cotham painted a grim picture of her fellow Democrats the day she switched parties: When she didn’t toe the party-line, she said, blue wolves attacked bullying her, branding her a traitor; when she posted memes of an American flag, a pair of folded praying hands,…
Read MoreParty Pooper
NC Rep. Tricia Cotham managed to make big news the same day Donald Trump was hauled into a criminal courtroom. She joined a list of prominent, if not distinguished, North Carolina Democrats who switched parties – or loyalties. They all say it’s about principle, but it’s always more about pique, personal ambition and a power…
Read MoreSchools, Politics and AR-15s
A Raleigh mother said, “my 13-year-old just asked if she could lie in bed with me tonight for a while because she is scared about the school shootings and drills they have to practice.” A teacher told me she and her colleagues are ready to put themselves in front of their students if a shooter…
Read MoreThe Real Mark Robinson
Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s “response” to Governor Roy Cooper’s State of the State – it actually was pre-taped – was choreographed to make him seem reasonable and responsible. Then he spoke at Trinity Baptist Church in Mooresville one recent Sunday. He unleashed, again, on LGBTQ people – and on pastors who welcome them: “Makes me…
Read MoreFolwell’s Folly
Dale Folwell threw his hat in the ring and his head in Mark Robinson’s buzzsaw. Folwell is state treasurer, so he should know math. The math doesn’t look good for him. A December poll showed Robinson beating Folwell 60-6 in a Republican primary for governor. When he announced his candidacy this weekend, Folwell said, “They’re…
Read MoreStudent Anguish
Yesterday I blogged about Republican legislators who don’t want North Carolina schools to teach “concepts” that cause students to “feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress.” I asked whether teaching the history of slavery and racism might cause “discomfort.” Several readers responded. One wrote, “How about physics and calculus? I recall…
Read MoreWhitewashing History
Republicans in the North Carolina House rammed through a bill saying schools shouldn’t teach any “concepts” that cause students to “feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress.” Will some students feel “discomfort” when they learn that White Southerners introduced slavery to America, started a Civil War to protect slavery, denied Black…
Read MoreA Better Road
It used to be when we had a primary here in North Carolina and no candidate won 50% of the vote there was a runoff between the top 2 candidates. Politicians frowned on runoffs, changed the rule: If a candidate got 40% of the vote, and led, he won. Then politicians changed the rule again:…
Read MoreTax Cuts or Better Schools?
It’s a long-running debate with long-running impact on North Carolina: cut taxes or improve education? This year, again, the Republican-controlled legislature is set on cutting taxes and starving public schools, even with a $3 billion-plus surplus that could significantly raise the quality of education. For 60 years, the state made a series of different decisions.…
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