Some of the people, all of the time
The recent polling on Donald Trump reveals a lot about the GOP primary electorate. In Iowa, a NBC/Des Moines Register poll shows Trump holds a 23 point lead over Ron DeSantis, the only other candidate in double digits. A CBS poll shows him is a 36 point lead...
Vetoes and indictments
A lot’s happened this week. On a personal level, dropping my daughter off at UNC-Asheville was the biggest deal. I always enjoy spending time in the mountains and the campus is great, even if the architecture leaves a bit to be desired. I’m not sure why architects in...
Casinos are not the solution for rural NC
The history of economic development is littered with gimmicks. Then-Mayor Pat McCrory breathlessly plumped for the NASCAR Hall of Fame when it rolled into Charlotte, bring with it little but a hefty cost for the subsidizing city. Stadiums have been built across...
Casinos
When I was driving across the west this summer, we passed by a number of rural casinos. The majority were sad looking places with large, half-empty parking lots. They were built full of expectation, with grand porticoes and high rise hotels. Maybe they’re bringing in...
The GOP Has Abandoned Ayn Rand’s Rhetoric. What’s Taken its Place?
The entrepreneur has almost disappeared from Republican-Party rhetoric. Where businessmen once loomed like Atlas in Republicans' rhetorical world, the dominant thrust of GOP discourse today focuses upon the twin bogeys of "wokeness" and "elites." They use the language...
Wallowing in Dan Bishop’s Twitter feed
A quick review of Dan Bishop’s Twitter feed tells us all we need to know about him. It’s full of conspiracy theories and right-wing pablum. He’s highlighting interviews with discredited fear-mongers like Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson. He’s bragging about receiving...
Melees
I’ve got two topics on my mind today. The first is the Ohio vote last night that rejected an attempt by Republicans to make adding constitutional amendments more difficult. The election was really another sign that abortion is a potent issue that could threaten...
Running Against Trump as Trump Supporters
The Republican primary is hurdling towards anticlimax. Donald Trump, instigating tumult with his criminality, commands a position in the race that is effectively unchallenged. His motley assortment of hopeful opponents are all making decidedly flaccid efforts. The...
With Hunter Biden, Republicans are misreading the room
Republicans are frustrated that their narrative about Hunter Biden is not sticking. They’re putting all their money on making Joe Biden just as corrupt as Donald Trump. It’s a stupid strategy and it’s not working. If they keep up the investigation, it could backfire....
Trading Swing Voters for Base Voters
Congressman Dan Bishop announced recently that he is running for North Carolina Attorney General. A Machiavellian operator, Bishop carries himself with a touch of gleeful villainy. He joins a state ticket that will almost certainly be led by Donald Trump for...
Republicans on the move
There’s a lot going on right now so I may ramble. First up, Dan Bishop is running for attorney general. It’s no surprise and I’ve written about it before. Bishop is an amoral man. He spread the Big Lie, voted to overturn the election, and would have followed Donald...
Strike three
The third indictment of Donald Trump has caused the most reaction. The first one was over paying hush money to a porn star with whom he had tryst. The second indictment involved hording classified documents. The one delivered yesterday has to do with trying to subvert...