Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
Swinging Polls
Richard Moore’s campaign has taken heart from the new Public Policy Polling survey that shows him trailing Bev Perdue only 44-34. Skepticism is in order given the wild swing from PPP’s last poll, which had Moore behind by 27 points. PPP attributed the change to Moore’s new ad. But one ad, not long on the…
A Mystery that Defies Common Sense
Depending on who you talk to, Democratic leaders in the state Legislature either bent – or broke – the rules to pass the lottery. I’m no authority on Parliamentary Procedure, but the issue seems to be whether the lottery bill was a revenue bill that should have been voted on twice on two separate days,…
Unique Thinking
City Councilman Rodger Koopman has a unique way of analyzing Raleigh’s problems with laser-like precision. For instance, yesterday, at the City Council meeting, he announced to support the troops in Iraq…Raleigh should ban garbage disposals. He said: “If you support the troops, be willing to suck it up just a little bit.” Now, there’s a…
The Power of Words
I’ve spent most of my life working with two materials: words and politicians. I’ve written about politicians, and I’ve written for them. As Jim Hunt’s main speechwriter his first two terms and frequent contributor the second two terms – along with dozens of other politicians I have worked with – I’ve probably written as much…
Anti-Corporate Democrats
Richard Moore’s newest ad boasts that he has been “challenging the most powerful corporations.” He sounds like John Edwards, who blasted “corporate Democrats” in his campaign. And Moore is not the only one. Anti-corporate rhetoric is blooming among Democrats this spring. Even Hillary Clinton, who used to be on Wal-Mart’s board, has chimed in. It’s…
Edwards to Hillary’s Rescue?
John Edwards helped save Bill Clinton a decade ago. Could he do the same for Hillary Clinton this year? After his election to the Senate in 1998, Edwards went to Washington with zero experience in public office. He had barely voted, let alone served in office. He had spent most of his adult life in…
Primary Winner?
The Obama bandwagon slowed down this week. It’s tough being out front and taking incoming fire. And the shelling will get worse as more people see the videos of Obama’s pastor. The Clinton campaign still has hope. But, for all their kitchen sink strategy, there’s one argument they haven’t used: When you look only at…
A Strange Definition of Republican
When former House Speaker Richard Morgan filed to run for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Republican Ed Kennedy reared back and hurled a mud ball at him, then someone posted it here on Talking About Politics. To call Mr. Kennedy’s letter to Mr. Morgan mean-of-spirit understates his eruption. He had an arm-waving tantrum. Calling Richard Morgan…
Democratic Train Wreck
Democrats spent 40 years engineering the perfect presidential nomination system. Instead we engineered a perfect train wreck. We now are in perfect position to blow an election that should be ours. We have two strong, popular candidates for the nomination. Neither has put the race away. They are tired, frustrated and getting madder at each…