The Web site politico.com is reporting that NPR executives tried to get reporter Mara Liasson to stop appearing on Fox News.
NPR’s focus on Liasson’s work as a commentator on Fox’s “Special Report” and “Fox News Sunday” came at about the same time as a White House campaign launched in [...]
Here’s hoping more people are coming around to Dennis Miller’s view of government and presidential politics.
[...]What’s $300 million among friends? No need to worry about the FY 2009 deficit of $1.4 trillion or the national debt, which stands at more than $12 trillion. We’ll just print some more, or better yet, let’s just force the dastardly rich to pay for the [...]
Spending other people’s money is way too easy, as this story illustrates. The fact that no City of Raleigh staff member blinked an eye at spending $9,854.66 on hors d’oeurves and drinks for a city council reception is absolutely outrageous. And, as the News & Observer rightly points out [...]
Here’s a luncheon you don’t want to miss on Wednesday, December 9.
The latest on the Global Warming scam, Live From Copenhagen
Please join Dallas Woodhouse, State Director of Americans for Prosperity and Roy Cordato, Vice President for Research at the John Locke Foundation for the latest on the efforts to [...]
First, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham said no thanks. Now he’s back in the race for the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Sen. Richard Burr, reports the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza. Could it be Cunningham’s gotten a Kay Hagan-style commitment from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee?
[...]For the second year, John Locke Foundation education policy analyst Terry Stoops has evaluated North Carolina’s public school systems based on how “parent-friendly” they are. Here’s a look at the Triangle:
More than half of the Triangle’s school systems showed improvement, according to a new JLF Spotlight report. Along with [...]
After nearly one year in office, President Obama has failed to implement policies that earn the confidence of the American people. From Rasmussen: (emphasis is mine)
Fifty-three percent (53%) of Democrats say the country is heading in the right direction, but only 12% of Republicans and 24% of voters not [...]
In this piece, JLF’s Terry Stoops and my favorite chipmunks debunk one of the most persistent school funding myths around. Here’s how per-pupil funding really works in our state.
Alvin (+$5,511) is a disadvantaged student (+$235) who comes from a low-income family (+$356) and lives in a low-wealth county (+$268). [...]
This economic truth comes from Duke University economics professor John Coleman, commenting to the Herald-Sun about today’s presidential job summit.
John Coleman, an economics professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, said in a statement from the university that the government should recognize that it’s the private sector [...]
Kevin Hill, who was replaced as Wake County school board chairman on Tuesday by the new majority, wants everyone to believe he was surprised he was replaced. Really?
Former chairman Kevin Hill, who was booted from his post Tuesday, said Wednesday that he was surprised by the demotion [...]
This obvious political dance from Sen. Kay Hagan is getting tiresome. She has the mechanism — the so-called blue slip– to hold up the replacement for U.S. Attorney George Holding and allow him to finish the investigations of Mike Easley and John Edwards.
No one disputes President Obama’s right [...]
Some quotes are so good, you just have to blog about them. I think it’s safe to conclude it was the alcohol, not the dog, that led to this incident. The court date is Jan. 19.
[...]For years he’s been a minority voice on the Wake County school board, but yesterday, Ron Margiotta was elected chairman of the board by the new 5-4 majority. The new board didn’t waste time taking action, much to the chagrin of other members. And what about the new members’ [...]
Will U.S. Attorney George Holding (a Republican appointee) be allowed to finish the investigations of Mike Easley and John Edwards before he is replaced by Obama/Hagan nominee Thomas Walker? The Obama administration won’t say, and common sense tells you that’s an indication of what’s up. Joe Sinsheimer offers this [...]
Sen. Reid and other Senate Democrats, please don’t try to, yet again, spin a tale and tell me how the Senate health care “reform” bill will lower my costs. Bologna. In fact, it will do the opposite to my family, per CBO estimates.
Who will stand up and speak [...]
This Thursday, Dec. 3, the John Locke Foundation and the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy will co-sponsor a public forum on the issue of taxpayer funded arts education. It should be a fascinating discussion featuring three experts with varying perspectives.
The event coincides with the publication of a paper [...]
In about ten years, many of the Duke women who bought into this gobbledegook will look back and cringe at how they so eagerly bought into the liberal feminist status quo — all in the name of rejecting the status quo, of course. This time, the subject of concern [...]
It’s been a long time coming, but at 3 p.m. today, the new Wake County school board will be sworn in. Four new members who campaigned against the current board policy of busing kids across the county to achieve economic “balance” will join Ron Margiotta as the new governing [...]
More irritating hypocrisy from the “eco-friendly” do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do celebrity crowd. I’ll trade in my SUV for a bike on the day these celebrities sell their private jets and start pedaling to New York from Malibu. In other words, it ain’t gonna happen. And by the way, isn’t it interesting [...]
I’ve been both taken back and amused by the angry reaction of global warming alarmists who refuse to acknowledge that some of their own cooked the books in order to push a leftist political agenda. JLF’s Roy Cordato puts into words what I’ve been thinking in this succinct [...]
John Locke Foundation education policy analyst Terry Stoops writes in his new report that the public school systems in Wake and Durham counties have improved their grades on his parent-friendly report. You’ll find the details on Wake and Durham here, and the full report here. Stoops discusses the [...]
Monday morning, Don Carrington was a guest on WPTF’s morning show to discuss this Carolina Journal exclusive story, which details the connection between former governor Mike Easley and state Sen. Tony Rand. From the story:
New information developed by Carolina Journal shows that former Gov. Mike Easley’s 2005 Cannonsgate real-estate [...]
I hate to break it to Roy Williams, but many things in life are more important than his 600th win. Here’s a snippet from the Charlotte Observer’s blog, as Roy’s ego is firmly on display:
“I wish some of our fans who weren’t here tonight would get a little more [...]
This morning at 8:40, Carolina Journal investigative reporter Don Carrington will be a guest with Scott Fitzgerald to discuss this new CJ story, which details a land deal that involves former governor Mike Easley and state Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland).
New information developed by Carolina Journal shows that former Gov. [...]
All weekend I marveled at the incredible discounts being offered by all sorts of stores. Most online folks have been offering free shipping, gift cards with purchase, and other extras to entice shoppers. But a new poll from Rasmussen should give all the retailers a hint about a very [...]
JLF’s Joe Coletti points out the irony of the request by 20 state legislators for a Roy Cooper investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield. Just to shield themselves — poorly done, I might add — from the obvious political bullying they’re engaging in, the 20 acknowledge they want an [...]
How will the Senate’s health care bill impact North Carolina? Check out these comments from Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).
[...]Hundreds of Palin supporters arrived early at Fort Bragg, and one woman spent nearly 24 hours in line. Officials estimated that some 4,000 turned out. More than 500 had to be turned away as the three-hour signing ended.
This kind of turnout on a dreary Monday is the [...]
This story is a perfect example of the power of competition in a free market to reduce costs and expand options for consumers. My favorite store, WalMart, is taking on an up-and-coming rival, amazon.com. Guess what is happening? Yes, prices are dropping and we consumers are in the driver’s [...]
The Fayetteville Observer reports that more than 1,000 people greeted former Alaska governor Sarah Palin at Ft. Bragg today.
[...]Former governor Palin’s Facebook notes include her thoughts on her book tour, which pulls into Ft. Bragg around 11 a.m. today. Here’s a small part of her latest note:
Can’t wait to meet our troops – and all those who love the U.S. Armed Forces – today at Ft. Bragg. [...]
This living history event couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Join the John Locke Foundation Monday night in Raleigh for a visit with Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
Monday, November 23, 2009
7:00 pm
North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27601-1011
Price: $10
The United [...]
Ah yes, it sounds so wonderful — free health care that gives us all more options, more access, and better care.
Too bad it’s not true.
If you’re wondering exactly how the 2,000-plus page Senate monstrosity — known in the world of spin as health care reform — will impact real [...]
From politico.com comes this blog about Rep. David Obey (D-Wisconsin), who is the House Appropriations chairman (emphasis is mine):
‘If they ask for an increased troop commitment in Afghanistan, I am going to ask them to pay for it.’ Obey, a Democrat, made it clear that he is absolutely opposed [...]
Categorizing people based simply on their race is wrong, period. Here’s a great example of how silly things become — even in Chapel Hill, where the town’s liberal residents pride themselves on being the most enlightened among us.
Thanks to Augustus Cho for pointing out the folly. Cho ran unsuccessfully [...]
Joe Coletti, fiscal policy analyst for the John Locke Foundation, doesn’t mince words about North Carolina’s staggering unemployment rate — we’re now 9th in the nation — or what to do about it.
“The governor has pledged to seek every ‘recovery’ dollar she can get for the state,” Coletti added. “But [...]
Former NC State Chancellor James Oblinger has been passed over for the job of president of New Mexico State University. Oblinger lost out to Barbara Couture, the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
[...]Democratic watchdog Joe Sinsheimer is urging Gov. Perdue to remove Mike Easley confidant Ruffin Poole from the Golden Leaf board since Poole thwarted Board of Election efforts to get him to testift at the Easley hearing last month. From the News & Observer:
Sinsheimer said the episode demands a strong [...]
NC Central University officials say many of their students aren’t ready for college. Shouldn’t citizens expect the K-12 education system to be rigorous enough to prepare students for college, if college is the student’s chosen path? What’s happening here helps no one– least of all the student. The results [...]
We’ve now received two reports that provide a good snapshot of how Chathma County’s state legislators fare when evaluated on issues of fiscal conservatism and social conservatism, and on issues related to business.
First, let’s look at Civitas Action’s Conservative Effectiveness Ratings. The first number is a percentage from zero [...]
We’ve now received two reports that provide a good snapshot of how Johnston County’s state legislators fare when evaluated on issues of fiscal conservatism and social conservatism, and on issues related to business.
First, let’s look at Civitas Action’s Conservative Effectiveness Ratings. The first number is a percentage from zero [...]
It’s good to read a column by a college student who not only understands market economics, but endorses it. From Benton Sawrey comes this in The Technician:
North Carolina needs to privatize alcohol sales, albeit with regulation to ensure that there is no abuse. The state allows private business to [...]
The Herald-Sun is reporting today on changes to the Citizen-Soldier Support Program at UNC Chapel Hill.
Carolina Journal readers know that reporter David Bass has been on this story since August, when an internal review showed huge problems with the program. His latest story ran Friday. As [...]
Just 9 minutes into today’s student forum at New Mexico State University, NMSU presidential candidate James Oblinger — former chancellor of NC State — got the Big Question. To watch/hear his 7-minute summation of the Mary Easley debacle and his eventual resignation, go to 9:00 on the clock in [...]
We’ve now received two reports that provide a good snapshot of how Orange County’s state legislators fare when evaluated on issues of fiscal conservatism and social conservatism, and on issues related to business.
First, let’s look at Civitas Action’s Conservative Effectiveness Ratings. The first number is a percentage from zero [...]
We’ve now received two reports that provide a good snapshot of how Durham County’s state legislators fare when evaluated on issues of fiscal conservatism and social conservatism, and on issues related to business.
First, let’s look at Civitas Action’s Conservative Effectiveness Ratings. The first number is a percentage from zero [...]
We’ve now received two reports that provide a good snapshot of how Wake County’s state legislators fare when evaluated on issues of fiscal conservatism and social conservatism, and on issues related to business.
First, let’s look at Civitas Action’s Conservative Effectiveness Ratings. The first number is a percentage from zero [...]
It’s down to four candidates – including former NC State Chancellor James Oblinger — for the job as president of New Mexico State University. Oblinger is interviewing at NMSU today. Three forums are scheduled, according to the NMSU Web site. You can watch them here. It starts at [...]
Over at UNC Chapel Hill, students say the campus medical facility for undergraduates is old and inconveniently located. They want a new one – until they’re told they need to pay for it by raising student fees, or by finding private funds. Suddenly, it may not be such a [...]
The reform candidates who take their seats on the Wake County school board next month may not be done with pushing for change, reports Carolina Journal’s David Bass. Are countywide elections next?
In the past, critics have argued that at-large races and a revision of the elections schedule could have [...]
From politico.com comes this laugh-out-loud headline:
After spending binge, W.H. says it will focus on deficit
I guess that means after I gorge myself on a quart of Rocky Road, I’ll focus on losing weight.
Heaven help us.
[...]Cannonsgate is back in the news, reports Andy Curliss of the News & Observer. It’s all part of the federal investigation into issues and people with ties to former governor Mike Easley. From the N&O:
Federal investigators are seeking information about possible payoffs to state officials, as well as four [...]
The head of the Wake County arm of NCAE has played her hand before the four new school board members have even been sworn in. Jennifer Lanane clearly isn’t open to new ideas, as her e-mail illustrates.
Lanane urged her members to lobby the new board to keep the [...]
CQ Politics is running a story today about Will Breazeale’s term limits pledge. Breazeale is a Republican who wants to unseat Rep. Mike McIntyre, the incumbent Democrat in N.C.’s 7th District.
But if you read Carolina Journal, you already know about Breazeale’s effort because CJ’s David Bass [...]
So much for the rhetoric of rising above it all and setting a new tone.
Multiple media sources are reporting that Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe admits in his new book that Obama campaign opposition researchers dug up the information about $400 haircuts John Edwards was indulging in, [...]
Todd Batchelor, a former finance director for the N.C. Republican Party, plans to run for state House District 41 which until recently was held by Democrat Ty Harrell.
Batchelor will challenge Democrat Chris Heagerty, who was recently named to the House seat, after Harrell’s resignation, Rob [...]
Rep. Patrick McHenry is calling out Rep. Lynn Woolsey over her suggestion that the IRS look at the nonprofit tax status of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The USCCB dared to speak out firmly against publicly funded abortion during the debate over HR 3962. In response, Rep. [...]
Day 3 following the House vote on HR 3962 and still not a whimper from the Blue Dog Democrats on their Web site. Saturday night, the majority of the group (28 of 52 by my count) voted FOR the trillion-dollar, freedom-killing takeover of the U.S. health care system. This [...]
We’re still waiting to find out if the counting of provisional ballots in the Chapel Hill mayoral race will lead to a recount request from Matt Czajkowski who, at this point, is just 141 votes behind unofficial winner Mark Kleinschmidt, according to WCHL.
But there’s another interesting situation brewing [...]
Former NC State Chancellor James Oblinger is heading to Las Cruces for his job interview. He’s vying with four others to be the new president of the university. This document from the NMSU Web site indicates things get going Sunday with a tour of Las Cruces. On Monday, his [...]
Kudos to Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley for not letting the SAS report on Wake schools fade into the background. It matters not that Gurley is a Republican, as the N&O blog seems to imply. The SAS report is about getting to accurate data about the performance of low-income [...]
As far as I can tell, the Web site of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition hasn’t been updated since Saturday night’s vote on HR 3962. As I blogged previously, if my math is correct, 28 of these 52 “fiscal conservatives” voted FOR the astronomically expensive, freedom-killing, nearly 2000-page [...]
From Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, writing for The Hill, comes this key question:
And where is the constitutional basis for requiring everyone to buy insurance? It is OK for a state to make drivers pay for automobile insurance? Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, and the [...]
NARAL is outraged by Saturday’s House vote on HR 3962, which included an amendment to ban federal funding of abortion in most cases.
Well, I’m saddened by NARAL’s outrage that some politicians voted to protect the most innocent human life. By the way, earlier this year, Gallup [...]
This AP story, published in the Fayetteville Observer, reports that Sarah Palin will be at Fort Bragg’s North Post Exchange on Monday, Nov. 23 to promote her book, Going Rogue.
[...]By my count, more than half (28 out of 52) of the supposedly fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats voted FOR HR 3962 — the nearly 2,000-page bureaucratic monstrosity that, if implemented, will stifle the economic prospects of this generation, and many generations to come. I cringe when I [...]
Rep. Larry Kissell (D-8th District) reportedly will vote NO on the job-killing, freedom-killing health care bill known as HR 3962.
[...]The Washington Post has some great information on what to watch for today/tonight as the House debates — and presumably votes — on the job-killing, freedom-killing health care bill known as HR 3962.
For example:
Beware of the blue screen: Pelosi has exuded confidence that she will have the requisite 218 [...]
Here is Rep. Mike McIntyre’s (D-7th District) statement on why he will vote “NO” on the monstrosity known as HR 3962.
[...]In the last 45 minutes or so, both Rep. Virginia Foxx and Rep. Howard Coble have joined the House debate on the freedom-killing bill that would give the federal government control over the health care decisions of every American.
[...]Well this is an interesting development out of Chapel Hill. The Daily Tar Heel reports that the Orange County Board of Elections has decided to count provisional ballots in the mayoral race between Mark Kleinschmidt and Matt Cjazkowski. Kleinschmidt won. According to the story, Kleinschmidt’s margin is razor thin [...]
Two days after Mark Kleinschmidt narrowly got past Matt Czajkowski by 244 votes to become the new Chapel Hill mayor comes this story from the Daily Tar Heel, which declares taxpayer funding of campaigns a success. Kleinschmidt took public money and Czajkowski did not.
The candidates finishing atop [...]
The newly elected majority on the Wake County school board has already coalesced into a working block, even though four of the five won’t be sworn in until December 1. The first issue they’ve chosen to address is a high school construction project. The concern is location and cost [...]
The news that Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) will leave the N.C. Senate to take an appointment to the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission brought to my mind the quote for which I will always remember this very, very powerful man.
I can’t find a link to the [...]
Mark Kleinschmidt will take over the helm of Chapel Hill from outgoing mayor Kevin Foy, who is rumored to be considering a run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Richard Burr.
It is fascinating, however, to note that Kleinschmidt beat fellow councilman Matt Czajkowski by just 3 points: [...]
Despite all the pre-runoff intrigue, John Tedesco easily won the District 2 seat on the Wake County school board. He took 76 percent of the vote to Cathy Truitt’s 23 percent.
Tedesco’s win completes a clean sweep by the pro-reform school board candidates: 4 for 4.
Can you say CHANGE?
[...]From the Duke Chronicle (emphasis is mine):
The Great Hall hopes to install an organic produce stand Nov. 9 that would be stocked with food grown in the community garden beside the Smart Home, said DUSDAC member Whitney Woodhull, a senior.
“The whole idea is to enhance the sustainability of campus [...]
First we had the overtime scandal in the City of Durham police department. Now Durham County is in the spotlight for an incredible amount of squandered federal grant dollars.
On top of that, the Herald-Sun reports county auditor Richard Edwards has told commissioners social services employees weren’t telling [...]
Thank goodness we have safeguards against this kind of intoxication with power. From Reuters:
Former president Bill Clinton said Monday that, without term limits, he would have stayed in the job “until I was carried away in a coffin, or defeated in an election.”
I don’t think he’s exaggerating. It’s [...]
Only two of the 12 Chapel Hill town council and mayoral candidates opted for taxpayer financing of their campaigns. John Locke Foundation legal and regulatory policy analyst Daren Bakst makes some excellent points about this misguided policy in The Locker Room.
Meanwhile, Public Policy Polling puts the race for [...]
John Locke Foundation President John Hood nails the problem with nonpartisan elections in a recent segment for Carolina Journal Radio. By removing political party affiliation, you are intentionally withholding from the voter what is an important piece of information.
The citizenry is better served with more information, not less. This [...]
Tomorrow’s runoff for the District 2 seat on the Wake school board continues to twist and turn. Cathy Truitt – who withdrew her request for a runoff against top voter-getter John Tedesco – now says she’ll serve if she wins the election tomorrow. OK, fine. Then why did [...]
I’ve blogged previously about this year’s interesting races for Chapel Hill mayor and council, which some are characterizing as a challenge to the liberal status quo. Today’s Herald-Sun story shows that somebody, or some group, definitely intends to influence the outcome of the mayoral race. And the tactics being [...]
Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina — who filed the original campaign finance complaint with the elections board — takes no prisoners in his testimony before the board yesterday. From David Bass’ story in Carolina Journal:
The hearing Thursday wrapped up with closing comments from the man who originally filed [...]
You can hear Carolina Journal managing editor Rick Henderson this morning at 6:10 a.m. on WPTF. It’s available at 680 AM on the dial, or online at www.wptf.com.
[...]Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy is telling people not to come to Franklin Street on Halloween. He’s even taking his message to YouTube. Foy says it’s an issue of public safety and adds that concerns about H1N1 are another reason people should stay away from Franklin Street. Maybe folks [...]
Carolina Journal’s David Bass reports on Wednesday’s Board of Election hearing, which featured about five hours of testimony from former governor Mike Easley. Here’s a sample of key testimony:
Easley denied knowing about memos circulated by his former campaign manager, Jay Reiff, describing a loophole that allowed funds to be [...]
The Associated Press reports that — shock — the number of jobs “saved or created” by the so-called stimulus bill have been way, way, way over-reported.
A Colorado company said it created 4,231 jobs with the help of President Barack Obama’s economic recovery plan. The real number: fewer than 1,000.
A [...]
You can hear Rick Henderson, managing editor of Carolina Journal, Thursday at 6:10 a.m. on WPTF. He’ll discuss Wednesday’s testimony from former governor Mike Easley and look ahead to Thursday’s testimony from Scott Falmlen, who was the state Democratic Party executive director from 1999 to 2005.
You can hear [...]
Carolina Journal’s David Bass has been live-blogging today’s session of the state Board of Election hearing, featuring Mike Easley for a good portion of the day. You can read Bass’ posts here.
The hearing resumes Thursday at 9:30. The witness will be Scott Falmlen, who was the state Democratic [...]
Our first example of Fraidy-Cats this week involved House Democrats, who changed the locks on a committee room and refused to give GOP members a key.
Today comes the second example. This time it involves the Fraidy-Cats at Organizing for America, who, as John Hood explains here, have [...]
If you think Chapel Hill is becoming too mainstream — after all, the race for mayor and council has been characterized as including a pro-business bloc — consider moving to Amherst, Massachusetts. Thanks to James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal for a laugh-out-loud funny blog about a not-so-funny [...]
