Perspective on gerrymandering
Last night, the Senate approved new maps. Now, we have legislative districts that have been drawn by legislators and have bipartisan support. It’s been a long time coming, but don’t believe it’s the beginning of a trend. North Carolina still needs a better system for...
The election should be about Trump, not Kavanaugh–or anything else, for that matter
Right now, Democrats appear to be doing all they can to help Donald Trump get re-elected. Instead of making the 2020 election a referendum on his embarrassing and damaging presidency, they’re trying to make it about issues that divide even Democrats. Now, they want to...
Moore’s narrative is lacking
Yesterday, in the aftermath of the controversial vote to override Governor Cooper’s budget veto, House Speaker Tim Moore released what he titled “A True Recap of how the N.C. House Overrode the Budget Veto.” It’s a defense of the vote but it’s contradictory at times...
A tale of lies, deception and no consequences
As president, Donald Trump has exposed the central flaw in our government and democracy. To work, it requires honest brokers. He’s not one and, as long as his party backs him up, there’s no way to hold him accountable. He lies with impunity and the GOP just looks the...
A win is a win, but a trend is a trend
Republicans can rest a little easier. The Trump fire wall in rural North Carolina held last night. Republican Greg Murphy won handily over Democrat Allen Thomas in NC-03 and, more importantly, Dan Bishop defeated Dan McCready in NC-09. In more normal times, both...
Special election figuring
Tonight, North Carolina has two special elections. In NC-03, former Greenville mayor and Democrat Allen Thomas faces off against Republican state Representative Greg Murphy. In NC-09, Democrat Dan McCready and Republican state Senator Dan Bishop are engaged in a...
The evolution of the Charlotte GOP
North Carolina’s special election tomorrow determines the final Congressional contest of 2019. One thing is certain: The next Congressman from the 9th District will hail from Charlotte. Both Republican Dan Bishop and Democrat Dan McCready live in Mecklenburg County...
Fairer districts will mean the national political environment has more impact
A three-judge panel of state judges ordered the legislature to redraw the state’s legislative districts from scratch because they violate the state’s constitution in multiple ways. It’s another explicit and comprehensive rebuke of the practice of rigging districts for...
Bishop could be the GOP canary in the coal mine
Dan Bishop may be the GOP’s canary in the coal mine. He’s running in a special election against Democrat Dan McCready in a race that he should win. Donald Trump won the 9th Congressional District by 12 points. Bishop has wrapped himself around the president and has...
Today’s Klan is more pathetic than threatening
The Ku Klux Klan came to Hillsborough on Saturday. They were a pathetic looking crew wearing their robes and waving flags. They made a point of showing their political allegiance with a banner that prominently read, “Make America Great Again.” That group of the...
