Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
Once upon a time, crying in public was political suicide. (See Ed Muskie, 1972, in the snows of New Hampshire.) Now, we’re more in touch with politicians who are more in touch with their feelings. (See John Boehner, anytime, anywhere.) So Governor McCrory’s tears at the departure of Aldona Wos (apparently, no tears were shed…
Let’s hand it to Grady and Marie Jefferys. They’re braver than the rest of us. The rest of us wouldn’t be willing to publish a book baring all the pain – let alone all the mistakes, misfortunes and misjudgments – we’ve been through, and put others through, throughout our lives. We might – in fact,…
A liberal Democrat found little to like in last night’s debate, with one exception. So that’s no way to rate it. Instead, let’s handicap the horseflesh. There were two winners, two big flops and six jokes on stage. The winners were the only two who came across as thinking human beings rather than pre-programmed political…
Get your pizza, popcorn and drinking games ready. This debate is going to be rich, really rich. Just like Trump. Which is why we’ll watch. Nobody would tune in to see Jeb Bush, Scott Walker or Marco Rubio. No, it’s all Trump, all two hours: How far will he go? Who will he attack? Will…
Democrats are surely and sorely tempted to blast Republican legislators for dallying and delaying the budget. Not so fast, my friends. Here, slow is good. Especially after Senate Capo Tom Apodaca blasted the House for (horrors!) not even meeting with the Senate on the budget. He complained that the House is spending too much time…
There are few sure things in politics. So it’s no sure thing that Governor McCrory will lose reelection. But it is a sure thing he’s in what Poppy Bush would call deep doo-doo. Carter pretty well summed up what the new fundraising numbers mean: “You very seldom see a challenger outraising an incumbent when it’s…
A TAPster visiting relatives had to watch Fox News this morning and provided this report: “Fox news is incredible. Beating Kasich to death for ‘joining forces with Obama’ and expanding Medicaid.” Then, “Did you know there are some jobs married women can have but still be true to their roles as wives?” Next, “After the…
A contributing blogger, noting that Governor McCrory has had a run of bad news lately, offers five ways he can turn around “his disappointing governorship:” Get focused. Choose three priorities and make them the theme of your administration. Don’t allow other things to distract you. Wear out your veto stamp. Veto every single bill that…
The editorial made Governor McCrory so mad he sat down and wrote the editors a letter telling them they had a choice: They could continue to malign an outstanding public servant – the Governor was talking about his legal counsel – or they could admit they were elitists who lacked journalistic standards. It’s an odd…
North Carolina voters don’t like either the Democratic or Republican parties. But Independent voters – who…
How do you get your news? Our statewide poll asked North Carolina voters what their primary…
Thom Tillis and Phil Berger fed the MAGA alligator. Then it ate them. Thomas Mills wrote…