Carolina Journal Exclusives
Exclusives Series

Covering the 2004 Elections

Carolina Journal editors and columnists are closely following the issues, events, and personalities of the 2004 election cycle, including articles on John Edwards' presidential quest, congressional and legislative primaries, the North Carolina governor's race, and local races in many of the state's largest counties.

(7.18.05) Don’t Want to Believe This
A bill requiring a version of paper backups for electronic voting machines may soon get a North Carolina Senate hearing, but some activists think it doesn't go far enough.

(7.15.05) Why Atkinson Will Be Superintendent
The legal dispute between June Atkinson and Bill Fletcher over the results of the 2004 election for school superintendent has reached a legislative panel. Here's why Atkinson will prevail.

(5.20.05) Voting Styles of the Rich & Famous
It is said that the Democrats are the party of the poor and Republicans the party of the rich. But there's a pretty big chunk of voters missing from this picture.

(3.29.05) Digging for an ACORN
A new left-wing activist group has set up shop in North Carolina's most populous city. It's already had an effect on local politics, and hopes to have an effect on policy.

(2.18.05) Makings of a Constitutional Crisis
North Carolina needs a process, based in the legislature, for resolving truly contested elections. But a Senate bill now awaiting approval in the House goes way too far in definition and authority.

(2.16.05) Take the Time to Get This Right
The state constitution authorizes the legislature to set up a legal process for resolving contested state elections. Now senators are talking about doing it -- retroactively.

(2.07.05) Time for Consistency on Ballot Counts
Republican champions of Steve Troxler argued for months that it was unjust to remedy a Carteret County elections error with a new statewide election. Now, the shoe appears to be on the other foot.

(1.11.05) Cobb Defenders Dig Deeper Hole
Thanks to new evidence from the Steve Troxler campaign, two of the three legal requirements needed for a new ag commissioner election cannot be satisfied. Time to do the right thing.

(1.04.05) A Disgraceful Tradition
There is no serious case for the travesty of justice that the state board of elections is attempting in the ag commissioner race. Britt Cobb has a fateful decision to make.

(12.29.04) Political Debate Gets Blogged Down
The 2004 political season may be remembered for a lot of interesting personalities, developments, and outcomes — but one possibility is that it will be the Year of the Blog.

(12.03.04) Rediscovery of the Religious Left
One beneficial effect of the pundits’ confusion about the role of religion in the 2004 presidential contest is that it might call attention to the persistence of the Religious Left.

(11.24.04) The Ignorant and the Idiotic?
Many talking heads, columnists, and web mavens need to consider the fact that it is a dead end to blame an electoral loss on ignorance or stupidity among the voters.

(11.23.04) The 2004 Elections -- From the Bottom
Democrats won a net gain of three NC county commissions in 2004, including Mecklenburg. Local politics is more competitive than it used to be — and a good place to spot important trends.

(11.21.04) Electoral Cures Worse Than Diseases
Democrat Britt Cobb and Republican Bill Fletcher seem to be pursuing legal arguments that would require remedies far more sweeping and costly than the harms they are intended to redress.

(11.10.04) The Election Strain
County election boards across North Carolina are reeling from vote count errors. As bad as that might be, some fixes would be worse.

(11.09.04) Temperatures Rising, Foul Winds Blowing
Still wondering what about the Left is repelling middle America? Among others, it might be certain wacky attempts to blame bad weather and poison ivy on Republicans.

(11.08.04) Some Odd Post-Election Advice
The party is fractured, arrogant, condescending, and too extreme. According to the media establishment, that's the message the voters sent this year -- to the Republicans.

(11.05.04) Random Thoughts on the ’04 Election
There are so many follow-up points to make about exit polling, trends in North Carolina, redistricting, and various Election Night sounds and tremors that the only solution is a random list.

(11.05.04) Elections Reveal Two Republican Parties
We found on Election Day that there is a Republican Party that is winning most major elections and another Republican Party losing many of them. One is national, the other is in North Carolina.

(11.03.04) A Tale of Two Parties
The Republican Party had an amazingly successful 2004 election, expanding its power and influence in Washington. At the same time, the GOP struggled in NC races. Why the divergence?

(11.03.04) The Triumph of the Ticket-Splitters
RALEIGH – With tens of thousands of North Carolina voters picking and choosing their way down Tuesday’s ballot, the results gave both major political parties some victories to savor and defeats to mourn. President George W. Bush beat Sen. John Kerry in North Carolina by about 13 percentage points – the same margin of victory he enjoyed against Al Gore in the state in 2000. His strong showing helped Republican Richard Burr win a tight U.S. Senate race against Democrat Erskine Bowles. But Democratic Gov. Mike Easley was reelected and the party regained clear control of the state legislature.

(11.03.04) Turn on the Spending Spigot?
With a Democratic sweep of at-large seats on the county commission, the balance of power has shifted toward advocates of more spending on public schools and higher taxes for local residents.

(11.02.04) Last-Minute Thoughts on Election 2004
It's the end of what feels like the longest election-season in decades. Here are last-minute notes, observations, and suggestions for taking in Election Night 2004.

(11.01.04) Governor Fix-It Gets the Call
Like any good property owner worried about foundation failure, Democrats have been scrambling to fill in cracks and react to the shifting ground of NC politics. And they’ve called in a repairman.

(10.29.04) A NC Senate Election Checklist
In the interest of going out further on a sagging legislative limb, here is a list of 13 races to watch as Democrats battle Republicans for control of the NC Senate. Surprises are possible.

(10.29.04) The Rising Conservative Tide
A new poll shows that the percentage of North Carolina voters identifying themselves as conservatives is continuing to grow.

(10.28.04) Why I’m Still a College Man
The Electoral College has come under a lot of fire since the 2000 vote. If Bush was to win the popular vote this time and Kerry the electoral vote, would questions of legitimacy remain?

(10.27.04) A NC House Election Checklist
Lost track of the partisan fight for control of the 120-seat NC House in 2004? Join the club. Here’s a list of 19 races worth keeping an eye on when the Tuesday election returns come in.

(10.26.04) Appealing for Hope on Judicial Races
A newly "reformed" system for elected appellate judges could well result in lower voter paticipation. In hopes of avoiding that, here are some useful links and resources.

(10.26.04) DJ Supplement: NC Spin Radio List
"NC Spin" is once again providing wall-to-wall election coverage across North Carolina. Tune in Tuesday at 7 pm to a local radio station near you.

(10.22.04) NC's Rising Conservative Tide
JLF’s Agenda 2004 poll offered mixed signals about many races and issues this year. But one clear trend is the growth of self-identified conservatives in North Carolina over the past six years.

(10.22.04) It Don’t Mean a Thing. . .
The latest JLF poll has Mike Easley ahead of Patrick Ballantine for governor — in large measure because the Democrat has fuzzed up the tax issue and attracted 30 percent of conservative voters.

(10.22.04) Poll Shows Voters Energized in 2004
RALEIGH — North Carolinians appear to be more committed to voting this November than they have been in the past four elections, but there is no clear consensus on some issues and races, according to the Agenda 2004 poll released Thursday by the John Locke Foundation. About 85 percent of respondents said they were “extremely” likely to vote this year. The comparable number in 2000 was 70 percent. The poll found strong opposition to Amendment One, which would allow tax-increment financing in North Carolina. In political races, it showed Bush leading Kerry among state voters, Burr and Bowles statistically tied, and Easley leading Ballantine for governor.

(10.19.04) Again with the Tax Fables
Gov. Mike Easley once again claimed that North Carolina's taxes were among the friendliest to business in the country. Apparently all those business folks claiming otherwise are deluded, or worse.

(10.18.04) Explaining the Pugnacity Quotient
Gov. Mike Easley and Patrick Ballantine met Friday for the second and final gubernatorial debate. Does Easley know something the pundits don’t about the competitiveness of the race?

(10.15.04) The Lycanthropy Defense Asserted
An internet disclosure of a Democratic National Committee manual gives activists the opportunity to defend their crying wolf on voter fraud: Republicans are werewolves.

(10.15.04) More Public Debt Without Public Votes
Supporters of Amendment One are doing everything they can not to tell voters what it would actually do: amendment the constitution to allow more public debts to be issued without a public vote.

(10.14.04) For Bush, Third Debate's A Charm
President Bush entered the presidential debates with a measurable lead over John Kerry, and his more effective and charming performance Wednesday night may have restored it.

(10.14.04) Voter Trends May Be Overstated
RALEIGH — Despite media reports about recent waves of voter registrations suggesting extraordinarily high interest in the 2004 elections, projections show that the level of attention is in line with the 2000 cycle. Recent anecdotal evidence about a flurry of registrations could signify little more than procrastinators trying to beat a deadline. The rate of increase in NC registered voters over the last four presidential cycles has slowed as well. Voter registrations increased by 11.2 percent in 1992 compared to 1988; by 13.4 percent in 1996 over 1992; and by 18.3 percent in 2000 over 1996. But official estimates of 5.5 million voters would mean only a 7.4 percent increase in 2004 vs. 2000.

(10.13.04) Contract Dispute Involves Atkinson
RALEIGH — Knowledge Network Solutions has petitioned for a review of the Department of Public Instruction’s award of a $27 million contract to a rival firm, Voyager Expanded Learning of Dallas, whose board includes former Gov. Jim Hunt. Knowledge Network claims DPI first accepted its bid of $17.8 million, but later rejected it and gave the contract to Voyager Expanded Learning, with a bid of $26.9 million. The decision was made by June Atkinson, then at DPI and now a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. She told CJ that the Knowledge Network team did not meet bid requirements.

(10.12.04) Reading the Tea Leaves on Voting
Voter registration appears to have surged in North Carolina, but will voter participation follow? The history and partisan implications are complicated and inconclusive.

(10.12.04) Military Readers Offer Political Views
WASHINGTON — President Bush retains overwhelming support among much of the military’s professional core despite a troubled mission in Iraq and a decorated combat veteran as an opponent, a Military Times survey suggests. Bush leads John Kerry 73 percent to 18 percent in the survey of 4,165 active-duty, National Guard and Reserve subscribers to Army Times, Navy Times, Marine Corps Times and Air Force Times. Though the results are likely not representative of the opinions of the military as a whole, they are a disappointment to Democrats who hoped Kerry’s record and doubts about Bush would give their candidate an opening with a traditionally Republican group.

(10.11.04) Now the Numbers Do Matter
For months, those who fixated on political polls were missing important developments in the 2004 races. But now, the match-up numbers start to take on significance.

(10.08.04) Time for Political Talk on Transportation
Gov. Mike Easley, Republican challenger Patrick Ballantine, and other candidates should be talking at least as much about transportation as they are other issues this year.

(10.06.04) Good Litigator, Wrong Defendant
Vice President Dick Cheney turned in an effective, sometimes commanding performance in a debate against a skillful but misdirected John Edwards. Won't matter much by itself, though.

(10.05.04) Shaky Performance in Schools Debate
Gov. Mike Easley is an effective debater and sees education as his signature issue. So why did his effort against Patrick Ballantine in Monday's debate fall so flat?

(10.01.04) Two Men Enter, Two Men Leave
President Bush and Senator Kerry offered the voters a candid, informed, and revealing debate on national security Thursday night. But the dynamics of the race are unchanged.

(10.01.04) Bowles-Burr Race Finally Gets Attention
The race between Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr has finally entered the public consciousness. A Sept. 27 debate and a new poll have demonstrated the closeness of the contest.

(9.30.04) Edwards Goes On The Attack
RALEIGH — Last week Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, on a pair of cable network news programs, sharply criticized President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Liberal pundits and rank-and-file Democrats have recently complained that Edwards hasn’t embraced the “attack dog” role that vice presidential candidates usually assume, and that the “fresh-faced” senator has maintained too low a profile. Actually, Edwards has been consistently critical of the president and vice president, but he has not been seen as much in the media because the Kerry campaign has sent him to mostly smaller towns.

(9.28.04) Bowles & Burr at Center Stage
After political distractions, compelling news, and a series of destructive storms, the U.S. Senate race between Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr may finally getting some attention.

(9.27.04) So What Is a Partisan Issue?
Exhibiting a familiar and annoying political tic, John Edwards said Sunday that how best to respond to the 9/11 attacks is not a partisan issue. That's nonsense.

(9.24.04) The Social Security Dog is Retired
In 2002, Erskine Bowles attacked Elizabeth Dole's proposal for Social Security reform through private accounts. Now he's saying little about Richard Burr's similar position.

(9.24.04) Questions Linger About AG Defense
RALEIGH — Retired lawyer Bernard Harrell has more questions about compensation for legal services provided to Roy Cooper’s campaign, even after a lawyer for the attorney general’s re-election committee seemingly explained how they were paid for. “The legal costs in this case are being paid by private insurance,” Wallace said in a statement. “The premise of [Harrell’s] letter to the Board — that lawyers are contributing services — is wrong.” However, Wallace’s explanation only spurred more questions from Harrell about whether the campaign committee or candidate was the insured party and who paid the premiums.

(9.20.04) When in Doubt, Follow Principle
President Bush has had a good several weeks, but he would be much better off, politically and substantively, had he not listened to those constantly urging "compromise."

(9.20.04) Cooper Campaign Replies to Charge
RALEIGH — Retired Raleigh attorney Bernard Harrell has asked the State Board of Elections to investigate Attorney General Roy Cooper’s political campaign for not reporting in-kind contributions from nine attorneys and their law firms. According to his letter, after thoroughly researching the issue Harrell thought he should call “attention to what appear to be substantial and continuing violations of the campaign laws of North Carolina.” Cooper’s campaign responded that “the legal costs in this case are being paid by private insurance. The premise of the letter to the Board – that lawyers are contributing services – is wrong.”

(9.19.04) Let’s See the Candidates’ Budget Plans
Gov. Mike Easley is advancing a contradictory position on state spending and taxes — but Patrick Ballantine has also yet to offer specifics on his approach. Both candidates need to explain more.

(9.16.04) Way Too Early to Get Giddy
North Carolina Democrats and national Republicans are trumpeting polls showing their leaders with healthy margins. But elections aren't called in the seventh inning.

(9.14.04) Single-Issue Voters, Not Races
The 2004 national elections are supposed to be about one primary issue: the Bush administration's prosecution of the war in Iraq and elsewhere. But that's not how it works.

(9.13.04) When Politics Was ReallyAcidic
In the sweep of American history, little evidence can be found suggesting that a robust political life is possible by following only the rules of "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

(9.09.04) Non-Conjunction Junction, What's Its Function?
The latest revelation about independent expenditures in the Bowles-Burr race show the absurdity of a campaign-finance system in which no one is supposed to know anything.

(9.07.04) Our Changing Political Math
Reacting to trends of partisanship, readership, and viewership, Democrats and Republicans are changing the way they wage political campaigns in the 21st century.

(9.03.04) An Ownership Society in North Carolina
President George W. Bush has been a disappointment — but not for the reasons many on the Left suggest. Lack of major progress on his “ownership society” agenda has been the real let-down.

(9.02.04) Sen. Dole Does the Media Rounds
RALEIGH — Before her speech Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention in New York, Sen. Elizabeth Dole addressed media questions about her husband’s criticism of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and Kerry’s service in Vietnam. Appearing on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday, the North Carolina senator demurred when asked by host Bill Hemmer whether she agreed with former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole’s doubts about the severity of Kerry’s wounds in the Vietnam War, which led to his three Purple Heart medals. Later, on MSNBC, Dole was asked about her own future as a national politician.

(9.02.04) Out of 170, Watch 14 Closely
Looking at the most competitive legislative races in 2004, it could be said that control of the most powerful political institution in North Carolina depends on the outcome of just 14 key contests.

(8.27.04) The State Gallops, Still Way Behind
New Census data provide more evidence of the severity of North Carolina's 2001-03 recession compared with the rest of the country. Only now is the recovery really galloping.

(8.26.04) Parties Differ on Judicial Politicking
ALEIGH — The NC Republican Party on Saturday endorsed Raleigh lawyer Paul Newby for the Supreme Court seat vacated by Justice Robert Orr, and the gesture gave an inkling of how the two major political parties might treat the nonpartisan races this year. The 2004 campaign marks the first election in which candidates for appellate court judgeships cannot denote their party affiliation on the ballot. Interviews with candidates and party officials, and information culled from their websites, indicate that the GOP and judicial nominees they support may show more boldness about their ties than will the Democrats.

(8.25.04) Free Speech and Its Enemies
The current political culture is full of people trying to get other people to stop talking to voters. But America is a free society -- or perhaps the verb tense is incorrect.

(8.20.04) Easley Squares Off With Ballantine
Gov. Mike Easley is answering Patrick Ballantine’s challenges on such issues as education and taxes. Some of Easley’s replies are debatable. Others are preposterous.

(8.18.04) Squeaker, Stunner, and Stability
Victories by Patrick McHenry, Virginia Foxx, and June Atkinson were the runoff headlines. But don't ignore legislative races, including more bad news for a certain co-speaker.

(8.18.04) Easley Flies High Over Holiday
RALEIGH — When Gov. Mike Easley did his back-to-school shopping this year with son Michael Jr., he chose popular locations for consumers who look for deals on clothing and textbooks. And like many other NC parents, he took advantage of the sales tax holiday that began Aug. 6. He set out from Raleigh at 10:50 a.m. and arrived in Concord — a driving distance of 122 miles — at 11:30 a.m. Easley and son continued their travels at 12:05 p.m, reaching New Hanover County by 12:50 p.m., scooping up supplies at UNC-Wilmington. “He can really fly, can’t he?” said Rep. Linda Johnson, a Kannapolis Republican. “He probably did fly.” Yes, he did — at taxpayers’ expense.

(8.17.04) It is Election Day, By the Way
Perhaps this isn't a well-known fact, but Tuesday is another Election Day in North Carolina. Only two party runoffs are drawing much political attention.

(8.16.04) Is This Message Really All Right?
There is a Democratic runoff in the race for Senate District 3 in Eastern NC. The incumbent is running on his record. The challenger is taking a different tack.

(8.13.04) Are Politicians’ Priorities Really Yours?
North Carolina politicians will be testing whether their policy priorities — as evidenced by their votes to raising spending, debt, and taxes — comport with those of most voters.

(8.09.04) Not Much of a Vacation
It's August — and both politicians and a certain writer are finding it difficult to take a traditional vacation. Furious activity continues in the congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential races.

(8.04.04) U.S. House Runoff Gets Brutal
RALEIGH — The race to succeed Cass Ballenger in North Carolina’s 10th House District is down to two Republicans (and an underdog Democrat), and each GOP candidate is claiming the mantle as most conservative as they head toward an Aug. 17 runoff. For David Huffman, Catawba County’s sheriff, that means invoking his ties to President Bush through his Homeland Security work, his chaplaincy role for the NC Sheriffs Association, and his membership in the NRA. For State Rep. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville, it means emphasizing his work on President Bush’s 2000 campaign, his subsequent role in the U.S. Department of Labor, and his oversight of an Internet-based campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2000 campaign for the U.S. Senate.

(8.02.04) The Trade Dog Didn’t Hunt
One of the political surprises on July 20 was how little the issue of trade seemed to matter in competitive U.S. House races. That bodes well for our economic future.

(7.30.04) Local Fight Yields State Issue
There’s a major continuing controversy in Fayetteville that has implications far beyond the borders of Cumberland County — perhaps even into the state’s 2004 gubernatorial contest.

(7.30.04) Profiling the 2004 Electorate
After the July 20 primaries, party nominees were set for most of the major statewide races. A by-the-numbers look at the North Carolina electorate helps frame the coming political debate.

(7.29.04) Explaining the Edwards swoon
The news media love John Edwards. Why? Some say it demonstrates snap-judgment superficiality, but Paul Chesser writes that Edwards has worked hard to earn reporters’ attention.

(7.28.04) Polarized Politics and Purple Plums
Pundits are ga-ga over the red state-blue state divide in American politics. The device has its uses, but can also be seriously misleading, so handle with care.

(7.27.04) Brer Easley in the Briar Patch
Some of Mike Easley's critics, Republican and Democrat, are complaining again about his lack of visibility. They are tossing him in a rather comfortable briar patch.

(7.23.04) The Bombshell and the Aftershock
Remember how "caution was in order" in predicting the outcome of a runoff between Patrick Ballantine and Richard Vinroot? Well, time to throw caution to the wind.

(7.23.04) Vinroot’s Political Stunner and Its Causes
Richard Vinroot’s decision to leave the North Carolina governor’s race must have been a tough one for this competitive Charlotte politician. Several factors likely influenced his choice.

(7.22.04) Governor’s Race Doesn’t Skip a Beat
A closer look at the dynamics and local vote totals in the Republican nomination fight governor suggests that caution is in order in predicting the outcome of a Ballantine-Vinroot runoff.

(7.21.04) The Iowa Myth and the Governor’s Race
Patrick Ballantine’s surge, Bill Cobey’s stumble, and Richard Vinroot’s lost momentum — are they proof that political spats in multi-candidate primaries are a no-no? Don’t jump to conclusions.

(7.21.04) Primaries Don’t End GOP Division
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Republican Party went into the July 20, 2004 primaries divided. It emerged divided. In the primary for governor, North Carolina Republicans showed no clear preference among the leading candidates, giving former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot and former NC Senate minority Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington nearly the same number of votes statewide and gave nearly as many votes to former US Rep. Bill Cobey. But in House primaries, GOP voters did offer a clearer message, with candidates opposed to tax hikes and Co-Speaker Richard Morgan prevailing by a nearly two-to-one margin.

(7.20.04) Down East Elections
Counties with the most hotly contested primaries for county commission in Eastern NC tend to be those where one major party is a dominant force, according to Chad Adams.

(7.16.04) GOP Governor’s Race Heats Up
Three new polls and a dust-up on taxes helped to invigorate a Republican nomination fight for governor that finally seemed to be drawing interest just days before the primary.

(7.16.04) Piedmont & Sandhills Primaries
The central counties of North Carolina feature some crowded local primaries in 2004, including a unique district system in Cumberland and 19 candidates for four nominations in Union.

(7.16.04) When Is a Tax Rise a Tax Hike?
In spirited Republican primaries for the NC House this year, some incumbents defended a 2003 budget vote as a “tax cut for working families” even though it was really a big tax increase.

(7.15.04) Ruling on the Judicial Elections
Judicial elections have just taken several steps backward in North Carolina, thanks to recent "reforms," but perhaps voters can still find out enough to cast a meaningful vote.

(7.15.04) NC Job Growth Revised Downward
RALEIGH — Last month, Gov. Mike Easley announced that North Carolina had gained 13,400 new jobs in May. The announcement was a noted departure from standard practice, and Easley took the opportunity to link his policies to the employment gain. But the governor may not be so eager to continue making the announcements. Revised numbers now show the job gain for May was actually 3,300, or 10,100 less than the governor reported. And while the preliminary data for June appear to show a large 35,000 gain, the overwhelming majority were in the government category — and these trends appear to stem from statistical quirks related to year-round schooling.

(7.15.04) Primaries in the West
County commission primaries in Buncombe and other western counties show the impact of economic concerns and conflicts about property rights on local politics and government.

(7.14.04) Picking the State’s Farm Team
The Democratic primary for state agriculture commissioner could turn out to be a tight race — though the stakes for most North Carolinians remains at best unclear.

(7.14.04) Guilford’s Exciting Primaries
Guilford County has the largest board of commissioners in North Carolina — and boasts some of the most exciting and competitive primaries. Partisan control is also up for grabs in November.

(7.13.04) Some Quotes on Insurance (Commissioner)
The notion that North Carolina needs an elected insurance commissioner is questionable. But that's the system we have, and two are vying for the GOP nomination for the post.

(7.13.04) Wake To See Fall Contests
Wake County’s 5-2 Republican commission majority will be up from grabs in the general elections in November, but the state’s second-most-populous county has no primary races this year.

(7.12.04) Last Look at U.S. House Primaries
Developments in the party primaries for the 8th and 13th congressional districts are worth noting, as are nomination fights for other U.S. House seats across North Carolina.

(7.12.04) Parties Vie in Mecklenburg
The 2004 elections for the Mecklenburg County Commission offer both residents and outside observers some intriguing lessons about intra-party tensions and the issues shaping local politics.

(7.09.04) Republicans Face Tough Choice for Gov.
One reason why North Carolina Republicans aren’t as excited about the governor’s race as they are about other primary contests this year is that the leading candidates seem hard to distinguish.

(7.07.04) A New Theory of Gravitas
Do you think we’ll hear the word “gravitas” in the coming days, as the media analyzes Democratic vice presidential nominee-to-be, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards? Don’t count on it.

(7.06.04) The Edwardian Confrontation
Differing Republican responses to the events of Tuesday demonstrated that there's a right way and a wrong way to challenge the John Kerry-John Edwards ticket.

(7.05.04) The Edwardian Coronation
Speculation is running high that North Carolina's own Sen. John Edwards will be John Kerry's Veep. The choice has much to commend it, from the Democratic point of view.

(7.02.04) Don’t Overlook Lesser-Known Gubernatorial Trio
Fern Shubert, George Little, and Dan Barrett may not be as well-known as other Republicans running for governor, but their candidacies could well influence the issues and the outcome.

(7.01.04) The Problem with "Clean" Politics
Charges of "dirty politics" are already flying this election season, but they employ a questionable definition to rule out legitimate debate on important issues.

(6.25.04) Previewing NC Congressional Competition
North Carolina used to boast some of the most competitive congressional contests in the nation. Now only the 8th and 13th districts are drawing (some) attention from both parties.

(6.22.04) Home-Schoolers Draw Politicians
RALEIGH — It was a feat that pirate Captain Jack Swallow of the Black Pearl (Pirates of the Caribbean) would have envied. A horde of about 9,000 people slipped into town and took over every bed in the city’s largest hotel, its convention center, and nearly every eating establishment and parking space in the city. They did all this without raising a single alarm in the local press. Too bad, because the media missed some significant stories. A number of politicians worked the crowd, for example, including gubernatorial candidates Dan Barrett, Bill Cobey, and Patrick Ballantine; Brooke Burr, wife of U.S. Senate candidate Richard Burr; and Jeanne Smoot, running for state school superintendent.

(6.20.04) It’s Their Credibility to Lose
Twice last year, an out-of-state pollster said the gubernatorial race was "Mike Easley’s to lose." Then last week, the same pollster said the race was Easley's to lose. Neither creative nor correct.

(6.18.04) Previewing the U.S. House Primaries
The vast majority of U.S. House incumbents are reelected. So when open seats appear — as in North Carolina’s 1st, 5th, and 10th districts — you can expect a partisan crowd to gather.

(6.17.04) The Edwards Factor Is Back
Some believe that John Edwards is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for vice president, and that the announcement might come soon.

(6.13.04) On the Carolina Election Results
Contrary to predictions, Carolina voters -- particularly Republicans -- were quite willing to turn out legislative incumbents in the primary elections held last week.

(6.11.04) Previewing the Primary for Attorney General
Attorney General Roy Cooper may, like his predecessors, aspire to be governor one day. But first he’ll have to get past one of three Republican challengers for attorney general this year.

(6.10.04) Is There a "Charlotte Curse"?
It is said that there is a "Charlotte Curse" in NC politics, given the failure of many Queen City politicians to win statewide elections. But the case may be overstated.

(6.06.04) Can We Survive a PSA Ban?
Rep. Cary Allred has the temerity to suggest that politicians be banned from appearing in all public-service announcements using public dollars. How would we survive?

(6.04.04) Previewing the NC Senate Races
Sen. Marc Basnight’s leadership of a 27-23 Democratic majority in the NC Senate may be somewhat endangered this year, particularly if the GOP can pull the margin closer.

(5.28.04) Previewing the NC House Races
Richard Morgan’s expulsion from official posts within the NC Republican Party calls attention to the developing races for the House in 2004. A dozen primaries seem related to the schism.

(5.21.04) Previewing the Lt. Governor Primaries
The job may not be what it used to be, but the office of lieutenant governor is still attractive enough for Democrat Beverly Perdue to be seeking reelection and for three Republicans to try to stop her.

(5.19.04) Still A Race for Governor
The latest Mason-Dixon poll on North Carolina's gubernatorial race is out, and the headline is that there is still a race -- for the GOP nomination and in November.

(5.14.04) Previewing the Superintendent’s Race
Three Democrats and two Republicans have filed in the party primaries for state superintendent of public instruction. Here’s a brief preview of their backgrounds and issue positions.

(5.05.04) A Taste of the Race
The gubernatorial candidates kicked it up a notch Wednesday as two Republicans topped their candidate filings with spicy issues and the incumbent continued to play catch-up.

(5.02.04) A Burr in the Saddle
There's a good reason why North Carolina's GOP primary for governor isn't exactly galvanizing the state's political attention. Two, in fact: Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr.

(4.27.04) Off and Running Toward Runoffs
Adding to the heat of this summer will be North Carolina's political primaries. And temperatures may rise above sweltering if current trends continue requiring some highly contested races to need runoffs.

(4.26.04) Candidates Showing Primary Colors
With the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision last week on redistricting litigation, state candidates show their primary colors as they gear up for elections that finally seem on schedule.

(4.19.04) It’s Ballantine’s Day
Patrick Ballantine resigned not just his leadership post but also his Senate seat to run for governor. Will this separate him from a still-amorphous pack of candidates?

(4.13.04) Second-Tier Race Moves Up
The Republican primary for lieutenant governor has just gotten a lot more interesting -- a statement that until recently might have been an oxymoron.

(4.09.04) Why the Governor Is So Popular
It has been the governor’s tough but wise decisions regarding the state’s budget problems that have most contributed to his surprising popularity. No, not that governor.

(4.08.04) Run South, Run Silent, Run Right
The national Democratic Party and presidential candidate John Kerry say they aren't writing off the South. So why are their candidates running the other way on a key issue?

(3.29.04) What Erskine Knows
In his 2002 Senate bid, Erskine Bowles tried to be something he's not, and fell far short. This time, Bowles is showing that he knows something the national Dems don't.

(3.26.04) On Pin-Prick Majoritarians
Those who advocate a public referendum on a state-run lottery will change the subject if you say, “Yes, as long as we get a public vote on term limits, a spending cap, and redistricting reform.”

(3.19.04) Translating Political Rhetoric Into English
At a recent meeting of business leaders, Gov. Mike Easley made a number of puzzling statements about his record. Here’s a helpful translation into ordinary language.

(3.12.04) Getting the Economic Lay of the Land
The condition of NC's economy will be a major issue in the 2004 campaign. Right now, the condition looks pretty bad, with the worst jobs record in the Southeast.

(3.09.04) Other 2004 Elections to Watch
For understandable reasons, North Carolina's competitive races for governor and U.S. Senate have commanded the most attention this year. But other 2004 races bear watching.

(3.01.04) The Incredible Growing Campaign
John Edwards' campaign over? Say it isn't so, particularly given John Kerry's latest round of outlandish foreign-policy statements.

(2.29.04) The Incredible Shrinking Campaign
John Edwards, we are told, must win at least two states on Super Tuesday to stay in the race. This is extra-super-heavy spin, too much even for a compliant media to buy.

(2.24.04) Still More Separation Anxiety
The Stephenson redistricting plaintiffs have filed their brief with the NC Supreme Court -- and the stakes, not just electoral but constitutional, couldn't be higher.

(2.20.04) Real Story on NC Business Taxes
A new “study” from Ernst & Young shows North Carolina to have one of the lowest business-tax burdens in the country, say politicians. Uh, no.

(2.18.04) The New Edwards Scenario
Another near-miss for John Edwards, in Wisconsin, has kept the idea of a competitive Democratic primary alive -- an idea welcomed by some politicos and the news media.

(2.13.04) Primary Delay Caused by Legislative Leaders
North Carolina's 2004 primaries have been delayed from May until July. Some are blaming redistricting litigants, but the real story is legislative brinksmanship.

(2.09.04) True Primary Colors
As expected, North Carolina's May primaries have been officially delayed until July. Legislative leaders are blaming redistricting litigation. Wrong.

(2.08.04) Death of the New Democrats
Bill Clinton has been both credited and maligned for changing the national Democratic Party. Well, the changes didn't stick, anyway.

(2.06.04) Road Will Be Political Issue in 2004
A new study shows the quality of North Carolina's roads is declining and its traffic congestion is worsening. Candidates will pay attention to the issue in 2004 — and they should.

(2.03.04) GOP Leader Spotlights NC Politics
RALEIGH — Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie visited Raleigh on Monday in a hastily prepared, but well-attended luncheon for the state GOP faithful. He said he considered North Carolina “a very important state in 2004,” not only for the re-election of President Bush, but to increase the GOP majority in the Senate and to replace Gov. Mike Easley. While Gillespie bristled at Democrats’ barbs toward the president, he did not address recent criticism from conservatives in the Republican Party, who have complained about dramatically increased government spending and growing deficits on Bush’s watch.

(1.30.04) Pay to Pave Scandal Offers Lesson
The recent scandal involving Gov. Mike Easley's Board of Transportation demonstrates that North Carolina needs a new way to oversee road construction.

(1.29.04) Updating the Mini-Tuesday Primaries
Just since Tuesday night's New Hampshire returns, the Democratic presidential candidates have shifted their sights -- in ways that should clarify matters.

(1.28.04) Did Republicans Score a Redistricting Win?
Critics of Republican redistricting plaintiffs say they should just accept the latest General Assembly districts since they will help the GOP. The truth is more complex.

(1.27.04) The Democratic Race Goes On
John Kerry has now won both the Iowa and New Hampshire contests. Isn't that the end of the race? Not quite yet.

(1.25.04) Meanwhile, Back to NC Politics
We'll know soon how the pivotal New Hampshire primary will turnout. Meanwhile, there's a big political story in NC.

(1.22.04) High Drama, Low Energy
The remaining Democratic candidates for president debated in New Hampshire Thursday night. Much was at stake, not that you could tell.

(1.20.04) The Four-Way Democratic Race
The Iowa caucuses did punch three tickets for the Democrats. Now, with Clark added, we have a four-way contest.

(1.19.04) What Is It About Carolinians?
Fellas from Carolina -- think Clay, John, and the Cardiac Cats -- keep beating the odds and coming from far behind.

(1.15.04) What Happened to Dean
A dramatic tightening of the Democratic presidential race prompts the question of why Dean didn't end up a shoo-in.

(1.13.04) Timely Media Boost for Edwards
RALEIGH — The Des Moines Register’s endorsement Sunday of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards for the Democratic presidential nomination was widely reported Monday. But independent of that boon to Edwards’s campaign were other positive developments, mainly in the national media.One week before the Iowa caucuses, the New York Times published a long feature on Edwards, which couldn’t have been timed much better for the candidate who is running fourth in public opinion polls with about 12 percent to 14 percent of respondents.

(1.11.04) The Gov. Race Takes Shape
A mix of legal and political events has allowed the race for governor to take a clearer shape. Here's what it looks like.

(1.07.04) Some See Edwards Angling for VP
RALEIGH — Two weeks before the Iowa presidential caucuses, Sen. John Edwards still shows remarkable restraint, compared to his fellow Democratic candidates, in remarks about former Gov. Howard Dean, the front-runner in most polls. In a debate Sunday night in Iowa, Edwards went relatively easy on Dean, and even received an apology from him. Many political observers think that Edwards may be resigned to Dean winning the nomination, and that Edwards is pursuing the party’s vice presidential nomination.

(1.06.04) No. 727: Ignore the Hype About Government Deficits
Almost since the day President Bush first proposed tax cuts, politicians and political pundits on the left began arguing that the cuts would not work to stimulate the economy because of the budget deficits that they would create. Now, with both tax cuts and budget deficits, there are clear signs that the economy indeed has been stimulated.

(1.05.04) Out On An (Un)Ballanced Limb
Distressingly, many folks are predicting that Congressman Frank Ballance may be re-elected in November. Could this happen?

(1.05.04) No. 726: Should We Fear a Trade Deficit?
As the country moves into a new year, most of the economic indicators are looking up. Indeed, 2004 is expected to be the best year, thus far, of the ‘00’ decade, with substantial gains being registered in economic growth, jobs, income, and stock market returns.

(1.04.04) Scanning the Political Horizon
With the 2004 political wagon train now officially underway, here's what the smart political scouts will be looking out for.

(1.01.04) Another Year, Another Scandal
Just in time for the New Year, another shoe has dropped in the long-running story about law-enforcement corruption in Western NC. As usual, the issues involved are cloudy.

(12.29.03) A Wide-Ranging Court Ruling
A Franklin County judge has rendered a decision likely to impact legislative, gubernatorial, and even presidential politics in 2004. And the judicial process just started.

(12.23.03) Political Potpourri for the Holidays
What could be more festive this Christmas than to curl up in front of the computer screen, pointing and clicking your way across an assortment of colorful political items?

(12.21.03) What's That Cloud Hanging Over Jones Street?
That dark cloud hovering over the state legislature in Raleigh might be signs of a gathering political storm. Or maybe it's a flock of federal fowl.

(12.14.03) Is the Dean Moment Fleeting?
Howard Dean reached the highest point of his presidential candidacy thus far in early December. But is it a brief stop on a continued climb, a plateau, or a precipice?

(12.12.03) Edwards First on “Election Express”
RALEIGH — He’s struggling in Democratic presidential primary polls and falling among the candidates in fundraising, but North Carolina Sen. John Edwards garnered a top distinction Wednesday in another category. He was the first person interviewed by the hosts of CNN’s “Crossfire” on the network’s “Election Express” bus, in Manchester, N.H. Edwards insisted that Dean wouldn’t be the Democratic nominee after CNN's Tucker Carlson pressed him to explain why he didn’t think Dean could defeat Bush.

(12.10.03) The Supremes Keep Us Hanging On
One of the most wrongheaded decisions ever rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court, upholding McCain-Feingold, is simultaneously not as bad and far worse than you might think.

(12.09.03) Clinton-Gore Is Now Clinton v. Gore
Al Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean for president is being analyzed from a number of different angles. But one worth a closer look is the end of a political relationship.

(12.09.03) No. 718: Previewing the 2004 Elections: A Conservative Point of View
Predicting elections a year before they happen is always a dangerous business. But here we go: Obviously the economy and Iraq will be the two central issues framing the presidential, congressional, and statewide elections.

(12.08.03) No. 717: The Confused State of John Edwards
I can’t recall the last time Northern rhetoric piqued Dixie sensitivities, but Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean’s remarks last month flustered North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

(12.01.03) Another GOP Fight for Congress?
Longtime U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger has a big announcement scheduled for Tuesday morning. If he retires, Republicans will face another sprawling and competitive primary.

(11.30.03) Odds Are Against New Maps
The new House and Senate districts enacted last week face long odds in the coming legal challenges. Here are some of the reasons why this process probably isn't over.

(11.25.03) More Thoughts on the Redistricting Session
Further analysis of the new House and Senate maps reveals some interesting twists and scenarios for Democratic or Republican control in Raleigh -- after some litigation.

(11.24.03) A First Look at the New Maps
The NC General Assembly met Monday for a quickie session to draw legislative districts yet again. Issues for litigation immediately presented themselves — of course.

(11.20.03) Re-Redistricting - Round & Round We Go
A public hearing on legislative redistricting in Raleigh signals the beginning, and only the beginning, of what may be a lengthy process.

(11.16.03) Politics Is Just So Intriguing
A wide range of disclosures about state and federal races this week illustrates why politics is so intriguing -- and why that makes it so intriguing.

(11.12.03) Edwards Returns to Russert Show
RALEIGH — After a year-and-a-half absence from the NBC News program “Meet the Press,” presidential candidate John Edwards returned to the show last Sunday. The North Carolina senator had received poor reviews of his performance on May 5, 2002, under the interrogation of host Tim Russert. NBC had tried for months to get Edwards on the program again. His spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri told the newspaper at the time that the show wasn’t a priority because “voters don’t care.” But on Sunday, Edwards returned and was challenged about his record on the Iraq war issue.

(11.12.03) Would You Relish Running on This?
Plenty of incumbents are seizing up their potential opposition and mapping out their political strategies for the 2004 elections. Here's why they're nervous.

(11.07.03) No. 716: Solving the Government Spending Puzzle
How many times have you come across someone who complains about taxes being too high, but then in the next breath says roads are too congested, the police are overworked, or the parks aren’t open long enough? Sounds inconsistent, right? Not necessarily. To many people it does seem as if government is taking more in taxes but doing less with the revenues. I call this the “government spending puzzle.”

(11.06.03) Edwards differs with Miller on South
RALEIGH — The conflict between presidential candidates John Edwards and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in the Democratic debate Tuesday night overshadowed questions about the North Carolina senator’s view of Georgia Sen. Zell Miller. The moderator reminded Edwards that he had once said, "It’s absolutely critical that Democrats reach out to people like Zell Miller." Now, with Miller endorsing President Bush and promoting his new book, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat, Edwards answered that he "disagreed with Zell Miller, obviously" and that Miller does not speak for most Southerners.

(11.04.03) Few Surprises in 2003 Elections
Cary has a more conservative mayor, Raleigh a less conservative council, and Pat McCrory is still mayor of Charlotte. The real election news of 2003 is outside NC.

(11.03.03) A 2003 Election-Watcher Checklist
Most of the remaining political races of the 2003 season will be settled on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Here's a list of the most significant contests to look out for.

(11.02.03) Edwards & His Little Red Wagon
The presidential effort of NC's John Edwards has yet to gain momentum, with recent events likely to worsen rather than strengthen his chances.

(10.22.03) Beating Around the Bush -- in NC
With the president's poll numbers on a modest upswing, North Carolina Republicans are hopeful that a coattail effect will boost their candidates in 2004.

(10.20.03) Dems
Contrary to many observers' predictions, the GOP did not lose its majority of governorships in 2002, though it came close. Now it's the Democrats' turn to worry.

(10.15.03) Dole’s Gift to Easley
Speaking to a meeting of municipal officials, Sen. Elizabeth Dole placed the blame for North Carolina economic woes on the Chinese currency. Gov. Easley eagerly agreed.

(10.12.03) On Recalling Who Is In Charge
Gov. Easley is trying to avoid the fate that befell his unluckier counterpart in California last week by blaming President Bush for North Carolina's problems. Good luck.

(10.08.03) Edwards Must "Live Free Or Die"
Checking back in on the nearly forgotten Democratic primary for president, all indications are that Sen. John Edwards' longshot bid is contingent on improvement in New Hampshire.

(10.07.03) Learning Some Political Lessons
Election results are in from North Carolina -- and points west. They confirm some basic lessons about how the political system works today.

(10.05.03) This Time Around, The Referenda Rule
With many municipal elections scheduled for Tuesday, perhaps the most interesting outcomes won't involve candidates at all.

(10.03.03) October’s Panoply of Political Portents
October is turning out to be a month chock-full of political portents. You should keep your eye on a number of outcomes and news items that offer some insight into the direction of our political debate.

(9.28.03) How Bush Gets Beat in
A new North Carolina poll shows what the national ones do: Bush's numbers are falling. The competitive 2004 election cycle could go either way.

(9.26.03) How to Win & Lose Simultaneously
Republican plaintiffs in North Carolina's ongoing redistricting conflict lost a battle in court Thursday -- and celebrated victory.

(9.25.03) Open Field for Bowles?
Democrat Erskine Bowles is set to announce Thursday his second try for the U.S. Senate. Will he have a real primary this time around?

(9.25.03) No. 701: John Edwards, North Carolina
Wouldn’t you like to have a job where you showed up for work only 78 percent of the time — a job where you hobnobbed with cultural elites in Hollywood and crisscrossed the country in private jets? That’s the life of North Carolina’s “Part-Time Senator” John Edwards, now “officially” running for president.

(9.18.03) Dems Play the Wrong Card
The Howard Dean phenomenon is party reflective of the fact that many Democratic partisans want to go after President Bush on the war. That's the wrong choice.

(9.17.03) The Clintons vs. the Democrats
Another angle on Gen. Wesley Clark's presidential announcement this week is that the Clintons, who were apparently behind it, care little about their own party.

(9.14.03) No. 700: Predatory Politicians: Where
Where’s state Attorney General Roy Cooper when North Carolina’s taxpayers really need him? For quite some time now, the mild-mannered defender of truth, justice, and the North Carolina way has been waging a never-ending battle on TV, warning the public of various con artists, hucksters, and other undesirable characters who prey on trusting consumers. Strangely enough, though, Cooper has been silent about a gang of rip-off artists who reside in his own backyard: North Carolina’s predatory politicians.

(9.10.03) Behind the Latest Redistricting Gambit
There’s been another twist in North Carolina’s long-running fight over legislative redistricting. But don’t believe everything you read: the latest legal maneuver is designed to accomplished a just and timely result, not a judicial takeover.

(9.09.03) The Democrats Bore in Baltimore
The nine Democratic candidates for president debated last night in Baltimore. Other than describing Bush's America as a basketcase and Iraq as a quagmire, what did they say?

(9.07.03) The Next Big (Political) Thing
John Edwards is gone -- from the U.S. Senate. That means North Carolina will see yet another robust, statewide political contest from now until Nov. 2004.

(9.04.03) Wide Open Spaces: IA, NH, & SC
Howard Dean may have been the flavor of the summer, but it looks like Democratic voters are still scanning up and down the case for the right fall and winter tastes.

(8.26.03) NC Political Spotlight Moves West
It’s been a truism of North Carolina politics for years that swing voters in Eastern North Carolina hold the key to winning statewide races. I think this notion became outdated a long time ago, and now I think that the economic reversals of the past three years have clearly revealed its obsolescence.

(8.20.03) Rep. Burr Speaks Out on Key Issues
RALEIGH — U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, a Republican representing North Carolina’s 5th District, is serving his fifth term in Congress. He also is a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat John Edwards. In a wide-ranging interview, Burr discussed the war on terrorism, reforming the CIA, a proposed Medicare prescription-drug plan, and whether President Bush's domestic agenda reflects a departure from traditional conservative views on the proper size and scope of the federal government.

(8.20.03) A 4-3-2-1 Scenario for Edwards
Some John Edwards' backers are saying he has to come in first or second in Iowa and New Hampshire to be a viable presidential contender. That's not good advice -- or good spin.

(8.18.03) A Reluctant "No" on an Edwards Plan
Believe it or not, there are several reasons not to favor candidate John Edwards' latest proposal to spend more of your money making the federal government bigger.

(8.17.03) The Low(e) Point of the Race
Rob Lowe was the last straw. Perhaps for others it was George Schultz or Warren Buffett. But if Lowe is going to work for Schwarzenegger, might the rest of the Brat Pack return to torment us?

(8.15.03) Morgan Foe Denies Outside Prompting
RALEIGH — Matt McWilliams, a 24-year-old golf instructor who was elected vice chairman of the Moore County Republican Party in March, will challenge House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan in next year’s GOP primary for a Moore House seat. McWilliams was one of the few defenders of Morgan at the NC Republican convention in May, but now says he regrets that. He said Morgan accused him of being recruited to run by Republicans from outside Moore County, which McWilliams denied, instead pointing to Morgan's recent comments as evidence of a threat to the GOP.

(8.14.03) Lessons in Political Humility
Those who live in the cozy cloister of politics shouldn't expect everyone else to recognize and respect their ordination.

(8.11.03) Edwards Decision Has Ripple Effect
With a uniquely competitive Congressional race centered around a major city and a senator facing reelection and/or running for president, the political season is in full swing in NC.

(8.06.03) Mixed News for John Edwards
The North Carolina senator hurt his presidential campaign by consistently failing to pay his taxes on time. But others are helping his campaign by their own actions.

(8.04.03) Anagramming the Political Truth
Critics of George W. Bush have discovered the Gnostic truth at last: the president's name, rearranged, spells "He grew bogus." But what do the anagrams reveal about a certain columnist?

(7.30.03) A Glimpse of the Political Future
Two events converged Wednesday to give North Carolinians a pretty clear sense of how state politics will probably unfold over the next year or so.

(7.22.03) What's Happening with Edwards? Maybe Dynamite
Judging by the improbable outcomes of network television's original and venerable reality show, Sen. John Edwards shouldn't be counted out yet in the Democratic presidential race.

(7.21.03) The GOP Governor Field Expands
North Carolina Republican party chairman Bill Cobey has announced his resignation and an impending bid for governor. Given that, until recently, he was the party's leading candidate-recruiter, what led Cobey to this decision?

(7.16.03) What Comes Next on Redistricting
The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled, again, against the gross gerrymandering of legislative districts. The next thing to expect is another round of gross gerrymandering.

(7.13.03) Edwards & His Three Challengers
Sen. John Edwards now has three challengers for his place on the Democratic national ticket in 2004. No, not that one.

(6.26.03) It's An Almost-New Ballgame
Beware of pundits professing certainty about the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. The primary season is still in flux, as is the ability to predict the outcome.

(6.26.03) No. 680: Easley Talks the Talk But Fails to Walk the Walk
Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts.”
— Voltaire (1763)

Pondering Voltaire’s aphorism, politically astute North Carolinians would consider Gov. Mike Easley the perfect embodiment of hypocrisy. What you see, or in Easley’s case, what you hear, is definitely not what you are likely to get.

(6.04.03) On Republicans and Overconfidence
State and national Republicans are swelling with confidence about their president's and party's prospects in 2004. Here are some reasons not to plan the victory celebration yet.

(5.29.03) Right Message -- but Right Messenger?
Sen. John Edwards stresses that Democrats can't win at the national level if they ignore the "fly-over country." But can he deliver on his own promise?

(4.27.03) Easley's Prospects Aren't "Pretty Good"
A new poll for the Raleigh N&O puts Gov. Easley's approval rating below 50 percent -- again. And the result was spun as good news for Easley -- again.