Opinion
Careful About Rule Changes
Change an electoral rule if it makes sense on the merits, but don’t do it assuming that your party will benefit.
Podcast
Without Perdue, Robust Gubernatorial Primary Looms
John Hood on N.C. primaries for governor and Lt. governor; Dee Stewart on need for a balanced federal budget; Barry Boardman & Thom Tillis on state budget picture; Charles Clotfelter on impact of college sports; David Bass on statewide & legislative races
Opinion
A Charge Too Far
Perdue is simply mistaken on economic policy and sometimes fails to communicate effectively. Neither failing reflects on her intelligence.
Opinion
Perdue in the Broiler
Perdue is an experienced lawmaker and successful politician, but for whatever reason she lacks the skills, judgment, and advice necessary to craft a realistic path to reelection.
Opinion
The Mecklenburg Blessing
If you just let vote totals drive your analysis, you should conclude that North Carolina Republicans do best when they nominate Mecklenburg politicians for governor.
Opinion
Give Gov. Perdue More Power
The latest research shows that stronger forms of gubernatorial veto are a plus if your goal is to produce fiscally conservative budgets.
Opinion
No News From The Governor’s Race
Skillful, well-funded campaigns on behalf of attractive candidates can convince even agitated or disaffected voters not to abandon the party in power.
Opinion
What I Meant to Say…
To try to guess at what Bev Perdue and Thom Tillis meant to say is not to excuse their gaffes.
Opinion
Bev Perdue’s Real Problem
Gov. Perdue’s real problem is not that she is a closet totalitarian. It is that her ideas are dated and wrongheaded, and she expresses them poorly.
Opinion
A Rematch, Not A Replay
No experienced challengers with political heft and fundraising potential are on the horizon right now for either of the 2008 nominees for NC governor.
Opinion
Perdue’s Pitch Made No Sense
Perdue’s closing argument was that the General Assembly’s budget plan would do “generational damage” to state public schools. The argument made no sense.
Opinion
In Praise of Powerful Minorities
Good government is more than just a rote application of majority rule.
