Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
The News & Observer says: “Perhaps the most competitive contest in North Carolina next year will be the one for state treasurer.” I’ve counted six Democrats and three Republicans being mentioned for the race. It’s no mystery why. Richard Moore has shown that the Treasurer’s Office has the keys to a treasure chest full of…
Last night on CNN and the Democratic Candidates ‘You-Tubed’ their way through the latest debate. Afterwards the pundits said Obama won. Then they said Hillary won. Then they said Edwards and Biden won. So much for pundits. Here’s my two cents worth. I hate to say it but I thought John Edwards won. Hands down.…
Leaving aside all the falderal about John Edwards’ $400 and $1250 haircuts, beneath Edwards’ posturing about poverty there may be a subtle – and powerful – political point. While Edwards pirouettes through Mississippi, New Orleans and Appalachia with reporters in tow, his stance on poverty is providing a positive window-dressing that allows him to talk…
I was skeptical about the CNN-YouTube Democratic presidential debate. The buildup struck me as too cute, too self-promotional, too self-congratulatory. In short, too Anderson Cooper. But I liked the debate. For one simple reason: The questions were great. And the credit goes to YouTube. Most debates that feature “real people asking real questions” flop. Real…
Democratic leaders in Congress say they want to get us out of Iraq. Now. Asap. But look at the fine print in the bill they passed in Congress on July 12th. That’s not what it says at all. First, they don’t say pull out now. They say start to pull out. And they don’t say…
I’m out of the country two weeks and the political world turns upside down. I had long assumed that my Democratic Party had the market cornered on sex scandals. From Wilbur Mills to Gary Hart to Bill Clinton. And that Republicans had the monopoly on money scandals. Warren Harding, Richard Nixon and Jack Abramoff. I…
Because of two stories about crimes I’m wondering what people think about ole’ Lucifer? Does he really exist? Both stories – about particularly brutal crimes – were reported in The News and Observer. The first was the Wake County District Attorney’s summation in the trial of Byron Waring, asking the jury to give Waring –…
While Democrats have been plagued by money scandals (former House Speaker Jim Black, Rep. Thomas Wright and Rep. Mary McAlister) and DMV scandals (Director George Tatum’s abrupt resignation), Republicans – at least for the past week – seem fixated on sex. First, Rep. David Almond resigned amid rumors he had sexually harassed a state employee.…
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, just told Congress the military is “weighing new directions for Iraq, including an even bigger troop buildup.” Before anyone gets all lathered up, what the army really seems to be doing is studying all the alternatives. Sending more men. Sending fewer. Leaving the same…
Senator Phil Berger was out of touch with voters in his district – and suffered the…
A reassuring lesson from our trip to Germany and Czechia is that dictators, despots and tyrants…
Gwyn and I just returned from a 12-day journey through 1,000 years of history in Germany…