Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
Pope versus Morgan – Chapter 2 – Roots of a Holy War
Robert Grady ran for the State House in 1984; he was one of only two Republicans elected that year from east of Raleigh. Four years later, Art Pope ran and was elected to the House from Raleigh. Two years after that, in 1990, Richard Morgan was elected from Moore County (Pinehurst and Southern Pines). Back…
Art Pope’s Wild Ride
I don’t know whether Art Pope is going to knock off Richard Morgan in Tuesday’s primary. But I’m willing to bet that Morgan beats Pope in the State Board of Elections. For years now, Pope Republicans and Morgan Republicans have fought a civil war. It’s like the Shiites and Sunnis without the bombings. Pope has…
Art Pope’s Wild Ride
I don’t know whether Art Pope is going to knock off Richard Morgan in Tuesday’s primary. But I’m willing to bet that Morgan beats Pope in the State Board of Elections. For years now, Pope Republicans and Morgan Republicans have fought a civil war. It’s like the Shiites and Sunnis without the bombings. Pope has…
Just When Republicans Needed a Break…
The fall elections have been looking pretty bleak for Republicans, lately. After President Bush’s stands on the United Arab Emirates ports deal – letting a company owned by the Emirates run U.S. Ports – and immigration proved to be unpopular, even with Republicans, his standing in the polls plummeted to a low ebb. For the…
History Repeats Itself
Before Iraq, there was Vietnam. Before America got bogged down in a war in the Middle East, we got bogged down in a war in Asia. Before America had a President trying to prove he is tougher than his father, we had a President trying to prove he was tougher than his predecessor. Before America…
Gary Praises the President
Brace yourself. I have something good to say about George W. Bush. But I’ll probably end up taking it back. Bush went to Orange County, California, Monday. He talked about immigration. And he spoke out clearly against the anti-immigrant demagogues in his own party: “I know this is an emotional debate…but one thing we cannot…
Bad Signs for Bush
How much trouble does President Bush think he is in over Iraq? A lot. Witness three news items: Bush’s photo op in California eating with GIs and their families. A clear response to the generals’ criticism of Rumsfeld. James Baker heading up a high-level group of review Iraq policy. Which Condi Rice reportedly resisted. I…
Demonizing Immigrants
I’ve posted several items about anti-immigration politics. And immigrant-bashing clearly is the strategy of at least one wing of the Republican Party. It may work. Enough voters may be xenophobic enough – or even racist enough – to buy it. But here is a history prediction: In decades to come (maybe even sooner), Republicans will…
Politics and Impact Fees
Someone once quipped the two greatest lies are ‘the checks in the mail,’ and ‘I’ll still love you in the morning.’ He might have added, ‘We’ll tax someone else.’ The great debate over ‘Impact Fees’ is underway in the Raleigh City Council. The smallest amount being considered to increase this tax is 72%. Even that…