Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
Easley for President?
How long will it take for the rumors to start? Last week, Governor Easley was in Washington for two appearances: A speech to the Center for American Progress, a group trying to redefine and reposition the national Democratic Party; A press conference with Senator Hillary Clinton and the Governor of Iowa (get it – Iowa?)…
Sculpture
Last spring, when Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa sold Raleigh on a $2.5 million outdoor art display with a cloud of floating lights and a wall of mist he opined about the beauty of falling water – how it was special, like rain and waterfalls – and better than the water in old fashioned fountains which…
The Pot Calls the Kettle Black
John Edwards is always exhorting Democrats to have more courage. To stand up for their convictions. Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich recently came to Raleigh and challenged Edwards to debate his convictions. “My challenge to your former senator,” Gingrich said, “Who is running around the country prattling about ending poverty is simple: Take on…
More on “A Blue Ribbon Punt”
Two members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of Wake County have weighed in on my comments. First, a businessman I know well who served on the commission says: “The N&O take on the BRC was misleading. I know that’s a surprise to both of you.” He added this from his perspective as…
Democrats and Budgets
Here’s how the Democrats in the legislature handle the state budget. For five of the last six years they’ve given us deficits from $200 million to $1.5 billion. Their solution: to raise taxes. Then, finally, they raised taxes so much we had a year with a surplus. What did they do? They cut taxes a…
Blowing up the Holland Tunnel
Authorities have arrested three men – and are seeking five others – overseas in a plot to blow up the train tunnels beneath the Hudson River that lead to Manhattan. The New York Daily News also reported the terrorists had intended to blow a hole in the wall of the Holland Tunnel to flood it.…
Courage Again?
“I believe in a Democratic Party with a little backbone and a little guts.” John Edwards is again calling on Democrats that have ‘guts;’ this time while campaigning in Ohio to increase the state’s minimum wage. My guess is you could search Ohio for a week and not find a single Democrat who votes in…
The Presidential Election
The DemocratsThe Democratic presidential race starts out as two separate elections which take place at the same time during the first Democratic primaries. The first election is for the leadership – to be the standard bearer – of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. The other for the leadership of the ‘New Democrats’ or…
North Hills Expansion
It’s hard for me to justify the City subsidizing one business at the expense of another. Should the City give the Marriott $20 million and a leg up over its competitor, the Sheraton across the street? Should North Hills get a tax exemption and a leg up over its competitors Crabtree Valley or Triangle Towne…