“Republican candidates who win independents will take the oath of office — period.”1 — Glen Bolger and Neil Newhouse, Public Opinion Strategies

I am stunned. How is it possible that the fortunes of the Democratic Party could plummet so far so fast? One year ago they were enjoying the spoils of victory after riding the crest of an anti-establishment wave created by the Bush administration’s low approval ratings and the inspirational candidacy of Barack Obama and his message of “change we can believe in.” For the first time in 40 years, they claimed the state’s top three political prizes in the same election year, President, U.S. Senator and Governor, and held a majority in both houses of the legislature.

Now, it’s the Democrats flailing about in a stormy sea of angry voters and in danger of losing many of the partisan advantages they gained in 2008. It’s the Democratic brand that’s tarnished. [click to continue…]

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Citizens United Seminar Speakers Lead the Way for Corporations and Trade Associations

“Today, the days of Alice in Wonderland budgeting in Trenton end.”
–Chris Christie, newly elected GOP Governor of New Jersey, Joint Session of Legislature, Feb. 11, 2010

The Highest Risk Option for Business in 2010 is Unilateral Political Disarmament

Leveling NC’s Political Playing Field: How to Use New Business Free Speech Rights, was the topic for a seminar hosted on Monday by Longistics. Four experts addressed the legal and practical application of the new rights to corporate-funded independent expenditure ads, recently granted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Speaking to the law were attorneys Robert S. LaBrant, Sr. VP, Political Affairs & General Counsel, Michigan Chamber, and Stephen B. Long, a partner with Williams Mullen, Raleigh. Speaking to the practical application of the law were political consultants Chris Sinclair, Cornerstone Solutions, and Neal Rhoades, Southeast Strategies. [click to continue…]

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In Defense of Independent Moderates & a Two-Party State: It’s Time for NC Voters to End the Unchecked and Unbalanced Power of Democrats

Political Corruption

“… said John Davis, a pro-business Republican.” –Rob Christensen, Political Reporter, News & Observer, February 4, 2010
A Letter to Rob Christensen, Political Reporter, The News & Observer
Note: Today’s N&O carried a front page story titled, Perdue: SEANC speaks for state workers. In the story, political reporter Rob Christensen quoted me in writing, “Very clearly this [...]

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The SEIUnionization of Public Employees of North Carolina or How Gov. Perdue‟s Executive Order 45 is the First Step to Collective Bargaining for State Employees

Unions

“[Executive Order 45] means that we can discuss the terms and conditions of our employment.”1
–Dana Cope, Executive Director, SEANC (SEIU Local 2008), Jan. 25, 2010
The State of the Union Money in North Carolina Politics
In last Sunday‟s News and Observer, the editorial page carried a misleading op-ed piece written by Gene Nichol, a law Professor at [...]

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Supreme Court: Business Has Unlimited Political Free Speech Rights – NC 527s Obsolete; Political Parties Weakened; Trade Groups Will Flex New Political Muscle

Campaign Finance

“They’re the men who served with John Kerry in Vietnam. Tortured for refusing to confess what John Kerry accused them of … of being war criminals. With nothing to gain for themselves, they have come forward to talk about the John Kerry they know.”1 Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth, TV ad excerpt, September [...]

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A Checkers Player in a Nation of Chess Players or How Obama’s Hubris Cost Him Kennedy’s Seat and May Destroy His Reform Legacy

Mood of the Voters

“Governments at every level had become too cavalier about spending taxpayer money. Too often, bureaucracies were oblivious to the cost of their mandates. A lot of liberal rhetoric did seem to value rights and entitlements over duties and responsibilities.”1 — U.S. Senator Barack Obama, 2006
Hu-bris (hyoo’bris) n. Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance.
In his book, The [...]

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The Audacity of Hoping Halley’s Comet Will Return in 2010 or Why Barack Obama’s 2008 Victory in North Carolina Will Not Drive This Year’s Races

2008 Elections

Politics, Rain Dances and Comets
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of political races, just like timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance … or the return of a comet.
President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign for the White House reminds me of Halley’s Comet: a spectacular event, brilliant [...]

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Key Predictors Foretelling North Carolina’s 2010 Elections: The Republican, the Democrat and the Drowning Man

NC Business Politics

There was a drowning man, 50 feet from shore. A 50 foot rope lay on the beach. A Republican came along and seeing the man struggling threw him 25 feet of rope and said, “If you’ll swim half way I’ll pull you on in.” A Democrat came along and seeing the man struggling threw him [...]

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What’s More Important in Our Leaders, Character or Caring?

Mood of the Voters

“For the good of his district and the integrity of the N.C. Senate, such as it is, he [Sen. R.C. Soles, Permanent Senate Democratic Caucus Chair] should throw in the towel while he has a chance to leave on his own terms.” — Wilmington Star-News Editorial, December 12, 20091
While reading the Wilmington Star-News editorial this [...]

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Liberal Insurgents End Sen. Basnight’s Historic Era of Power: Business Agenda and Long-term Jobs Growth Threatened by Attrition of Allies

NC Political Trends

“I can’t control my caucus anymore.” — Marc Basnight, NC Senate President Pro Tempore
On November 17, 2009, with the unanimous election of Sen. Martin Nesbitt (D-Buncombe) as Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate following the suspicious resignation of long-time Majority Leader and Rules Chairman Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland), the historic era of unparalleled power [...]

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