Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
Promoting Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center
Two Raleigh public relations firms have been having a ‘little tiff’ over which of them should get the most government contracts. Mayor Meeker’s Convention Center found a unique solution. It hired both. Capstrat – the Raleigh Public Relations firm – will receive a $12,000 monthly retainer. French/West will receive $4,000 per month. So, how about…
Read MoreThe War and 2006
Having (apparently) escaped indictment, Karl Rove reportedly has returned to full action in the White House. Among other chores, he is said to be recruiting Republican candidates for 2006. Two speeches by U.S. Senators frame the dilemma that will dominate next year’s elections – for Rove and for Democrats. First, John McCain spoke out about…
Read MoreWhat a Difference a Year Makes
One year ago today, Democrats were down. John Kerry and John Edwards had lost. Erskine Bowles had lost. George Bush was riding high. Karl Rove was hailed as “the architect.” That was a political lifetime ago. Tuesday’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey and California have Democrats high-fiving. Democrats won governor’s races in Virginia and New…
Read MoreMore Consultants
The News and Observer also reports the Mayor has hired another consultant for $300,000 to verify that his Convention Center is being built with an “energy efficient and environmentally friendly design.” City Councilman Philip Isley asked why the city needs to hire a consultant “when it has already paid architects to design a green [environmentally…
Read MoreDoes the Lottery Cause Amnesia?
When the press asked Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand about his dealings with defrocked lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings – Rand had a severe case of amnesia. It appears to be contagious. Now, several other Democratic politicians seem to have suffered a loss of memory. Now, the newspapers are reporting Rand had more reasons to know…
Read MoreSmelly?
Filed under: General, North Carolina – Democrats — Carter Wrenn @ 12:34 pm Now that Kevin Geddings, Scientific Games hand-picked lottery commissioner, has resigned all’s right with the world and North Carolina can roll on to lottery heaven. Right? Wrong. The News and Observer just threw a wet blanket over Act II of the lottery.…
Read MoreCommon Sense in Politics: The Teapot Subsidy
This one is too good to resist. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the Foundation/Pork-Barrel Fund that gives away North Carolina’s tobacco settlement money (to help those in need) just gave $220,000 to the Sparta Teapot Museum. You think that’s something? Sit down. Last year the foundation gave the museum $370,000. And on top of that the…
Read MoreWarner’s a Winner
My nominee for biggest winner of the week: Mark Warner of Virginia. No, he wasn’t running. But his lieutenant governor – an anti-death penalty Democrat – was. And he won. So Warner now moves to the top of the 2008 White House speculation list. He’s smart, articulate, rich and has a proven record in business…
Read MoreI’m Appalled.’
“I’m appalled,” Lottery Commission Chairman Charlie Sanders said, describing his reaction to the revelation Scientific Games, which wants to bid on a lottery contract, paid Kevin Geddings $24,500. How appalled? Not appalled enough to say that anyone – like Scientific Games – who paid a lottery commissioner $10,000 the day after he was appointed –…
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