New meaning to the term “legislative chamber”
There was a time when legislators of both parties felt they had an obligation to look out for the interests of families, individuals and municipalities. Now, those interests are secondary to the needs and wants of the business community. The GOP-led General Assembly...
Tillis: Tweeting While Intoxicated or just thin-skinned?
Well, it looks like Thom Tillis snuck in and got the keys to his twitter account again. On Thursday night at 11:45, Tillis tweeted, “Reid/Hagan's sketch ads in NC: DESPERATION. Bright side: NC gets $6+ million in our economy. Thanks Harry. #ncsen.” It took me a...
A sorry state of affairs
Last year, the North Carolina Republicans beat up on everyone--except rich people. Teachers, schools, universities, community colleges, the unemployed, Medicaid and food stamp recipients all saw a loss of income either through budget cuts or incompetence by the...
The third rail of state politics
Talk about stepping on a message. While Pat McCrory is desperately trying to convince the public that the GOP does, in fact, care about teachers, some of his Republican colleagues in the legislature are making the case that teachers are overpaid and have it too easy....
A shortsighted power grab
Republicans have a plan to shift the State Bureau of Investigation from the Attorney General’s office to the Governor's office. They must want to ensure that it stays under Roy Cooper’s control. Seriously, though. Who in their right minds would give Pat McCrory...
Keith Crisco: Last of a breed
Keith Crisco was the last of a breed. He was a businessman who made his money the old fashioned way--by making stuff and selling it. He stayed in textiles when most the plants had long been shuttered and moved overseas. And he was a Democrat. He believed that...
How Thom Tillis won the primary and lost the week
Tuesday night, Thom Tillis celebrated the biggest political victory of his life. It was a short celebration. The rest of the week sucked. Tillis started Wednesday morning doing national morning news shows. Everything seemed to be okay until he got a question from...
Now, THAT’s an ad
The Democratic SuperPAC, Senate Majority PAC, has released the best ad yet in the North Carolina contest for US Senate. It’s got entertainment value and a sharp political message. And it’s ballsy. The ad is apparently filmed at Thom Tillis’ victory party. With Tillis...
Get ’em, Kay. Hagan on the attack.
Yesterday, Kay Hagan went on the attack. Not a SuperPAC. Not her campaign. Kay. In the confirmation hearing for Sylvia Matthews Burwell, Obama’s choice to succeed Kathleen Sebelius, Hagan let loose on Thom Tillis for failing to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. It was...
Education, the election year and Republican magical thinking
Republicans realize that short-changing teachers and public schools was politically stupid. Now, they are throwing stuff against the wall hoping something sticks. The governor’s latest proposal for raising teacher pay is a reflection of both election year posturing...
