
Carter Wrenn

Gary Pearce
Since their 2010 debacle, Democrats have muttered about an “iron triangle” they believe helped do them in: politically motivated prosecutions, relentless Republican pressure for the investigations and tough media scrutiny. Some even saw a coordinated conspiracy. So don’t be surprised if they look for payback in the Charles Thomas/lobbyist affair. They want investigations –…
Read MoreEvery now and then during the closing days of an election a candidate defines his campaign with one line. Paul Coble did that in the News and Observer this morning. By attacking George Holding for prosecuting Mike Easley and John Edwards. Last week, Paul Coble attacked George Holding for working for Senator Jesse Helms…
Read MoreI’ve seen candidates say some bizarre things when their campaigns fall apart – but this one has to take the cake. Paul Coble’s actually slamming George Holding for prosecuting Mike Easley and John Edwards – and saying those prosecutions were a waste of taxpayers money. We just entered the twilight zone. Paul’s poll numbers have…
Read MoreFollowing is Justin’s response to my blog (see below) about his N&O op-ed: “Thanks for taking an interest in my op-ed. Here is my take on your questions: “First, I disagree that progressive politics are not business friendly. The current Republican leadership has taken us so far to the right that we need…
Read MoreIt certainly didn’t take the Republicans long to pick up where Jim Black left off. Democrats can have a field day: “The Speaker’s chief of staff, roommate and best friend had a romantic relationship with a lobbyist who had legislation before the House.” They can ask: “What did the Speaker know and when…
Read MoreJustin Guillory’s op-ed in the N&O – “Embrace the future, North Carolina Democrats” – struck a theme you hear a lot these days from young Democrats: “The major upheaval in the Democratic ranks provides a unique window of opportunity for the party to turn over a new page and choose its next generation of…
Read MoreWhoever wakes up May 9 as the Democratic nominee for governor will immediately face an insurmountable obstacle. Pat McCrory is sitting on $3.1 million, John Franks reports in Dome. That’s precisely $3.1 million more than the Democratic nominee will have that day. It will be impossible to make up the gap. Now, in politics…
Read MoreThe all-but-certain presidential nominee emerges from his party’s primaries bruised and bloodied. He was mocked relentlessly as a flip-flopper and a panderer, a career politician with no inner core, a former governor with little to brag about. The brutal march to the nomination drove his favorability ratings into the ground. He faces an incumbent…
Read MoreThe last time I paid attention to internal Democratic Party politics was during Governor Hunt’s first two terms, when the party had chairs and executive directors like Betty McCain and David Price. Ah, the good old days. This week I asked a young friend who is involved in the party now: “Who are the…
Read MoreCurmudgeonly Cajun James Carville says Democrats just need to “roll over and play dead” and wait…
Read MoreTrump raised tariffs. Said tariffs are beautiful. The next day, about facing, said automakers didn’t have…
Read MoreA legend in politics, with a sneaky streak but a kind heart, Paddy sat down in…
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