Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
In the 1980s, Democrats were in disarray and Ronald Reagan stood astride the political world like a colossus. Then, as today, Democrats comforted themselves by saying: “Polls show the American people agree with us, not him, on the issues.” Yep, they did. Go through a list of issues, just like today, and the…
Last fall Congressman Bob Etheridge lost his re-election bid and suddenly – after thirty-two years in public office – found himself out of a job. But only for a month. The nimble Congressman quickly landed himself a new job (earning $98,500) as North Carolina’s ‘Economic Stimulus Czar’ passing out President Obama’s ‘Economic Stimulus Funds.’ Then…
Constitutional amendments banning gay marriage passed overwhelmingly in other Southern states, I’m told, so one is likely to pass here, too. But think of the unintended consequences that may result. Republicans apparently realized that a November 2012 referendum might bring out a group of anti-gay marriage voters the GOP doesn’t want to encourage:…
For a decade Raleigh’s Mayor’s elections have been tales of Democrats trouncing Republicans which isn’t surprising as Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one but this year there’s an unheard of twist in the Mayor’s race: No Democratic candidate. Instead there are two Republicans and an Independent. Democratic Mayor Charles Meeker – who’s retiring –…
As far as some Democrats are concerned, the only thing wrong with James Carville’s “Panic, Fire, Indict, Fight” advice for President Obama is that, for once, old James didn’t go far enough. It’s time, they say, for President Obama to consider standing down next year and letting another Democrat (read, Hillary Clinton) take the…
A little over a year ago an old friend (and Jesse Helms supporter) asked me to drive down to Albemarle to meet with a group of Republicans to help them in their fight with Alcoa Corporation. To make a long story short the argument between the local Republican County Commissioners and Alcoa boils down…
James Carville has a way of cutting to the chase. A TAPster sent along what he said on CNN this week: “People often ask me what advice I would give the White House about various things. Today I was mulling over election results from New York and Nevada while thinking about that very question.…
You’ve got to admire Judge Howard Manning’s nerve – he’s only a state district court judge but for years he’s been issuing orders to Governors. Judge Manning’s modus operandi is simple: He looks at the State Budget, looks at the Constitution, then declares if the Governor doesn’t spend more on this or that program it’s…
A TAPster notes a striking example of where the state spends and where it cuts: “Did the Jones Street Honorables notice a political paradox during their recent visit to Raleigh? “Just a city block away from the Legislative Building, work is concluding on the construction of several gleaming new state government buildings and…
Carter Wrenn and I are moving to Substack. That’s where you’ll find our blogs in the…
The political sniping began even as chaos still reigned at the White House Correspondents Dinner. My…
A new nationwide poll shows that, if they could run against each other in 2028, Barack…