Early voting begins in just days – October 14 – in a midterm election that has political strategists from both major parties analyzing and spinning. But even neutral analysts like the John Locke Foundation’s John Hood say the election cycle is full of fascinating political dynamics. Hood discusses the role being played by unaffiliated voters, what impact voter views of Washington is having on the candidates, and the state of the Burr-Marshall-Beitler race for U.S. Senate and key congressional races in three or four North Carolina districts. Then we turn to one of the nation’s leading electoral experts, Washington Examiner senior political analyst Michael Barone, for his assessment of the election dynamics. Barone recently traveled to North Carolina to offer his views for a John Locke Foundation audience. In an exclusive interview, Barone explains why the political winds have shifted so forcefully toward Republicans during the past two years. Next we look at the debate over a controversial proposal from North Carolina sheriffs. They say the growth in accidental prescription overdose deaths across the state should lead to a change in state law: Sheriffs want access to information from a state prescription drug database. Sheriffs association executive vice president Edmond Caldwell, Dare County Sheriff Rodney Midgett, and Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin recently told lawmakers how that information could help them fight crime linked to prescription drug abuse. That’s followed by an assessment of the clean up underway with regard to the state’s crime lab. North Carolina legislators recently heard a progress report. You’ll hear former federal agent Chris Swecker offer details from his audit of the SBI crime lab, along with questions from Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland. You’ll also hear Attorney General Roy Cooper respond to the question of whether the state crime lab should be moved out from under SBI jurisdiction. And finally, John Locke Foundation Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies Daren Bakst reacts to comments from N.C. sheriffs heard earlier in the show. Bakst says the proposal to give sheriffs access to a prescription drug database is one of the worst ideas he’s heard in years, and anyone concerned about privacy rights should be concerned by what could occur. Bakst also weighs in on the controversial Supreme Court ruling that recently addressed the definition of a “life sentence” for North Carolina inmates.
Related
Why the midterms matter more than ever
In his inimitable style, the great English essayist, Samuel Johnson, boomed (he rarely spoke) that what is known isn’t always obvious and what is obvious isn’t always present. Before I am charged with stating the obvious, let me remind readers that Alfred North Whitehead said it takes extraordinary intelligence to contemplate the obvious. So, let’s...
Will constitutional amendments affect voter turnout in N.C.?
This November, lawsuits permitting, North Carolinians will vote in referendums on six constitutional amendments. The issues they will address are crime victims’ rights, a right to hunt and fish, the method for filling vacancies on the states’ courts, the establishment of a bipartisan elections commission, a cap on the income tax rate, and voter identification....
With STOP Act in motion, prescription opioids harder to get
RALEIGH — It’s now much more difficult to get prescription opioids in North Carolina. The STOP Act, which kicked in Jan. 1, limits the number of pills doctors can give patients. Lawmakers, who cited a hike in opioid-related deaths, passed the bill last year. Under the law, House Bill 243, doctors may give patients five...
Will voters Hand the GOP the General Assembly?
Chris Hayes on competitive legislative races; Gary Pearce, Marc Rotterman, & John Hood on GOP chances in midterm; Stephen Margolis on so-called market "failures"; Edward Stringham on economic freedom; Rick Henderson on John Edwards and Gov. Perdue.