February 9th, 2010, 5:42 pm by Barry Smith
The “silly season” has begun, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue said Monday. She said that GOP calls for her to fire two of her top aides were partisan.
“I find it interesting that questions were asked on opening day of filing,” Perdue said. “We gave begun the silly season, the very biased and partisan debate between Republicans and Democrats. That’s healthy in America. But don’t be ever surprised of some of the rhetoric you hear from both sides.”
On Monday, GOP state chairman and former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer called on Perdue to fire Alvin Keller, secretary of correction, and Reuben Young, secretary of crime control and public safety.
Fetzer was critical of Keller’s supervision of the probation system. He was also critical of Young’s handling of an investigation into deleted emails during the administration of former Gov. Mike Easley, also a Democrat.
Posted in: Bev Perdue • Politics • State government | Post a Comment »
February 9th, 2010, 4:52 pm by Barry Smith
During the Emerging Issues Forum, which this year was centered on creativity, Gov. Bev Perdue used a low-tech example of a Carteret County man’s creativity helped him transform his business. Nicky Harvey of Davis, who used to make crab pots for a living, now makes Christmas trees out of crab pot wire.
The Emerging Issues Forum was the brainchild of former Gov. Jim Hunt. It was held Monday and Tuesday at the Raleigh Convention Center. Perdue, who spoke Monday afternoon, used her time to talk about some of her programs, including her “Ready, Set, Go” education initiative, her incentives proposal for small businesses and her push for green jobs.
Posted in: Bev Perdue • Economy • State government | Post a Comment »
February 4th, 2010, 5:41 pm by Barry Smith
If you’re up for some political football, then here’s one for you. A recent Public Policy Polling survey found a partisan split on who to root for in the upcoming Super Bowl.
The poll found that 32 percent of Americans will be pulling for the New Orleans Saints with 22 percent pulling for the Indianapolis Colts. However, Democrats tend to line up with the Saints and Republicans (barely) are supporting the Colts.
Democrats favor the Saints by 36 percent to 21 percent. Republicans will be pulling for the Colts by 26 percent to 25 percent. One irony in the mix here is the two states where the Super Bowl teams reside went in opposite directions during the 2008 presidential elections.
Indiana, home to the Colts (favored by Republicans) went in Obama’s column in 2008. Louisiana (favored by Democrats) voted for McCain in 2008.
Independents, by the way, lean toward the Saints by 33 percent to 20 percent.
Posted in: Politics • Sports | Post a Comment »
February 4th, 2010, 5:12 pm by Barry Smith
Gov. Bev Perdue will host the national champion UNC women’s soccer and field hockey teams at the Executive Mansion on Friday.
The Carolina field hockey team won its sixth NCAA championship with a 3-1 victory over Maryland on Nov. 22, 2009.
The UNC women’s soccer team defeated Stanford 1-0 just a couple of weeks later on Dec. 6, 2009. The victory marked the 20th NCAA women’s soccer title and 21st national title overall for the UNC women’s soccer team.
The event is planned for 3 p.m.
Posted in: Bev Perdue • Sports • State government | Post a Comment »
February 2nd, 2010, 1:21 pm by Barry Smith
So word out of the state capital is that Sir Walter Wally failed to see his shadow earlier today. If legend holds true, that means that spring is just around the corner.
And spring can’t come a day too soon as far as I’m concerned. In fact, this week would be OK with me, although I know that’s not going to happen.
Wally appears to have a disagreement with his northern colleague, Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania. Phil did see his shadow and predicts six more weeks of winter.
I hope Wally is right. Perhaps both can be right, with winter remaining for a while for our northern neighbors and ending soon here in the South.
I’m ready to break out the patio furniture, fire up the grill and start wearing T-shirts, shorts and sandals.
Posted in: Weather | Post a Comment »
January 28th, 2010, 5:48 pm by Barry Smith
It wasn’t exactly an endorsement, but former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt, a Democrat who has served in the Executive Mansion for four years, spoke highly of Minnesota Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Pawlenty, who has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2012, was on GOP presidential nominee John McCain’s short list as a running mate in 2008. Pawlenty will kick off the 25th-annual Emerging Issues Forum next month in Raleigh. Hunt initiated the Emerging Issues Forum after leaving office during his second term in office in 1985.
Hunt called Pawlenty “one of the truly qualified people to be a Republican candidate, in my opinion.”
Pawlenty’s appearance at the forum was actually in doubt until recently. Up until this past Sunday night, there was a possibility that the Minnesota Vikings would play in the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 7. Pawlenty’s address at the forum is slated for 8:20 a.m. Feb. 8.
The Vikings loss to the New Orleans Saints cleared his schedule for the day after the Super Bowl.
Posted in: Federal government • State government | Post a Comment »
January 26th, 2010, 2:27 pm by Barry Smith
I found a recent Washington Post column by Michael A. Clemens quite thought-provoking. He says that one of the best ways to help Haitians in the long run is to allow Haitian workers to remain in the United States.
“Those workers would do more good for themselves and their families than any amount of aid could do for them,” Clemens writes. “And the people remaining in Haiti would benefit enormously.”
The earthquake tragedy in Haiti, guest workers from that country as well as guest workers from Latin America are sure to be elements to consider as America prepares to enter a debate over revamping the nation’s immigration laws.
Posted in: Federal government • Immigration | Post a Comment »
January 26th, 2010, 1:27 pm by Barry Smith
The new Civitas poll shows Elaine Marshall, North Carolina’s secretary of state, leading in the race for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination for the seat currently held by Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr.
However, that poll shows three out of four Democrats and unaffiliated voters who would be eligible to vote in this year’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary still undecided.
Marshall has support from 14 percent of the respondents. Seven percent say they support Ken Lewis of Chapel Hill and 4 percent offer their support for former state Sen. Cal Cunningham of Davidson County.
It’s not surprising that Marshall would have twice the support of any other candidate at this point. She’s been on the statewide ballot numerous times, having been elected secretary of state four times. She was also on the ballot in 2002 when she sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Expect numbers to change dramatically in the coming months as campaigns gear up heading toward a May 4 primary.
Posted in: 2010 U.S. Senate Race • Federal government • Politics | 1 Comment »
January 21st, 2010, 2:04 pm by Barry Smith
Zach Ambrose, who is Gov. Bev Perdue’s chief of staff, will be leaving the governor’s office.
Ambrose has held a top advisory post in one form or another to Perdue since 2005. He was her chief of staff as lieutenant governor, her campaign manager in 2008 and has been chief of staff during Perdue’s first year as governor.
“Zach has decided it’s time to move on to new endeavors,” Perdue announced. “He will remain in the job as chief-of-staff for the next several weeks as we work on a transition to new leadership.”
Posted in: Bev Perdue • State government | Post a Comment »
January 21st, 2010, 1:46 pm by Barry Smith
Lanny Wilson, who was called to testify into the State Board of Elections investigation into the campaign practices of former Gov. Mike Easley, has resigned his seat on the N.C. Board of Transportation.
Wilson, in a letter to Gov. Bev Perdue today, said he was resigning to “avoid any further unnecessary distractions” related to reform efforts in the Department of Transportation.
Back in October, Wilson, a Wilmington resident, told the elections board that he had “maxed out” on campaign contributions to Easley and that he contributed to the Democratic Party with the understanding that it would be used for Easley.
The State Board of Elections, while coming down hard on the Easley campaign, cleared the Democratic Party of any wrongdoing.
Perdue accepted Wilson’s resignation and thanked him for his service.
Posted in: Bev Perdue • Campaign Finance • Ethics • Mike Easley • State government • Transportation | Post a Comment »
