Newt Nails It

Yes, Newt Gingrich is nuts. But sometimes even a nut sees reality. And last week he summed up why the Republican Party is on the road to disaster:   “We are caught up right now in a culture – and you see it every single day – where as long as we are negative, as…

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BS on BCBS

A veteran business lobbyist takes aim at both The N&O and the legislature – and makes a noteworthy point about how government in Raleigh today works – or doesn’t:   “The N&O’s story last week about Blue Cross Blue Shield’s diminished influence at the General Assembly was badly reported, unfair to BCBS and confirmed that…

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No Parking

When the Raleigh City Council abruptly and mysteriously fired City Manager Russell Allen, you knew there had to be some major urban policy matter involved.  Yep: parking places.   Now, politicians will put up with a lot. You can attack them, smear them, call them names, criticize their ideas and vote against them. That’s all…

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Testing, Testing, 1,2,3

With Republican legislators pushing drug tests for welfare recipients, let’s look at two Southern states’ experiences.   For a year, Georgia has encouraged businesses to alert the agency if a job applicant fails a drug test, so that the state can deny them unemployment benefits. How many people have the tests caught?   Exactly one.…

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Moving On. Not.

Now that the Case of the Not-Blueprint Memo has been solved, Democrats and progressives can move on to important issues like what Republicans are doing on education, Medicaid, unemployment assistance, tax reform and … hold on, what’s that?   Never mind. Apparently, we will move on to the new state Democratic chairman owing almost $290,000 in…

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Kamikaze Republicans

Why do congressional Republicans keep jumping off the cliff – and taking the country with them? Don’t they see the political trap that President Obama has sprung on them?   You could enjoy what they’re doing to themselves politically if you didn’t hate what they’re doing to the country economically.   Here’s just part of…

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Best. Political. Book. Ever.

When I read that Richard Ben Cramer died this week, I pulled down my dog-eared copy of “What It Takes” and started to read it. Again.   If you’ve never heard of Cramer or his book, get it.  Read it.  You’ll thank me.   It’s about the 1988 presidential campaign, but it’s timeless. Through 1,000-plus…

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Giddy GOP

Republicans here are like kids at Christmas: giddy, gaga and eyes all aglow as they rip open their new presents.   A Republican Governor! A week-long victory lap! Two inaugural ceremonies! The big bash at Carolina Country Club Saturday! (No, not the inaugural ball. The political fundraiser.)   Then there’s the new legislature and all…

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GOP Follies and Fantasies

Democrats who worry about GOP control of state government can take heart: It won’t last long, judging from the Goldman-Malone mess.   It turns out that Republican Party leaders knew the whole tawdry and titillating tale, but still cleared the field for the School Board Soap Opera stars to run for higher office.   What…

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Smokin’ Joe

Bill Clinton saved President Obama at the convention. Joe Biden saved him last night. Now it’s up to Obama to make his case.   Biden was by far the dominant figure in the VP debate. At a minimum, he won by showing some fight and rallying panicky Democrats. Past that, your opinion of the debate…

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