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November 4, 2004
Let the serious discussion of the incentives for the Dell plant begin. We have
the experience of Tennessee to rely on. Let's not give away the store. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/growth/story/1792759p-8090500c.html
Forgive me as I redesign my site. Now that the election is over,
I am moving the politics section to another page and focusing my attention on the South's economy and businesses. Like
many "blues," I was crushed by the election results. I console myself with the knowledge that the expected seldom materializes.
Whatever fears we have about another four years of Bush will probably not prove to come about. 9/11 reshuffled the deck
in 2001, reminding us how often the projected and the predictable don't happen. But how let's turn our attention to
the long range and short range transformations in the southern economy.
September 10, 2004
New poll shows Kerry within 4 points of Bush in North Carolina. It makes sense
that Kerry will do better than Gore did in 2000, but it is still a Republican state on the presidential level.
The Democratic candidates for governor and the senate are still doing very well. Voters in NC are accustomed to spliting
their votes on election day, so Kerry cannot count of the coattails of the state-level candidates. http://www.electoral-vote.com/states/north-carolina.html
September 9, 2004
Here's more on the Republican cutbacks in Senatorial races. http://www.heraldsun.com/state/6-520109.html
From the Kos blog, news that the Republicans are shifting funds out of the Senate
races in North Carolina and Oklahoma. No source given but here is the quote:
This is pretty weird.
Just today, we have received reports that the NRSC has scaled back its ad buys in
North Carolina and Oklahoma significantly.
In NC, the NRSC cut its planned ad buys from $2.9 million to $1.3 million. In OK,
they went down from $1.9 million to $1.2 million.
What this all means is beyond me, but it can only be good news for Brad Carson and Erskine Bowles, our guys in OK and NC, respectively.
On Sept. 4, 1957, Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus called out the National
Guard to prevent nine black students from entering Central High School in Little Rock.
September 3, 2004
Here's the best quote on Zell Miller's speech, from new blog by James Wolcott:
Angry White Man Wigs Out
Posted by James Wolcott
The blue eyes of wrath. The gnarled hands gripping the air as if clutching a liberal
in a lethal chokehold.
Zell Miller did not disappoint millions of disenfranchised Americans with Confederate
flags decorating their basements when he delivered his rousing speech to the Republican National Convention last night.
His inner Bunsen burner was still ablaze when he hit the cable news shows afterwards
to unlease additional Zellfire. There he met resistance. On CNN, Wolf Blitzer, in an apparent research mixup, asked actual
reportorial questions regarding Miller's contradictory statements over the years regarding Kerry etc, and the old boy began
babbling like Lionel Barrymore. Worse was to come on Hardball, where Miller had a complete cheddar cheese meltdown.
This raises a question. When did it become customary for speakers to give a speech
and then make the rounds to be first responders to what they just said? It removes whatever dramatic punch the speech had
to have the speaker participate in the postmortem cudchewing. It's much more Sinatrally powerful to have your say, take your
applause, and then depart the stage and let the reaction unroll. Instead, politicians exit the stage to tour a series of smaller
stages, spinning on their own behalf and annotating their own talking points, which become points of diminishing return.
Inviting Zell Miller to the Republican convention to give voice to lynch mobs who
feel neglected by the Democratic Party will prove to be a prehistoric bonehead mistake and an early Christmas present of Schadenfreude
to his former colleagues. I picture certain Democratic bigwigs reacting the way Brian Dennehy did in that wonderful made-for-TV
docudrama about Three's Company as ABC chief Fred Silverman. Hearing the news of Suzanne Somers' latest contract tantrum,
Dennehy's Freddie takes a rich puff on his cigar, smiles, and croons with satisfaction, "Not my problem anymore."
Zell Miller: Not our problem anymore.
P.S. Just now on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough described Miller's speech as a "barnburner,"
presumably intending a compliment. But any reader of Faulkner knows that there's few souls rottener than that of a barnburner,
who leaves nothing in his wake than rage and destruction. In Faulkner Country, a barnburner is driven out of the county.
In Bush Country, he's given a privileged timeslot.
September 2, 2004
More on the Florida Senate race. Again it looks like the divisions within the Republican
Party are the most interesting moments in the election. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/9556296.htm
Florida's primary is over and now the Senate race is between a fairly liberal
female Democrat and a Republican "winger." I'll keep an eye out for polls. This should be interesting. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/9558474.htm
August 29, 2004
Republican Senatorial primary in Florida takes another nasty turn with attacks
on McCullom for his gay campaign employees. This is so vile. And another question, why do these candidates who
are so anti-gay marriage continue to employ gay staffers? And why do the staffers continue to work for these candidates.
In November, I predict that the gay vote in the urban areas will be out in force after these kinds of attacks. Thanks
to the Miami Herald for putting this story front and center. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/9526009.htm
New Florida poll by Jacksonville newspaper shows deadlock. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/082904/met_16498604.shtml
Georgia is one of nine states that will vote on a same-sex marriage ban in
November. These ballot measures are certain to bring out Bush's base, a well-timed convergance for the Bush campaign.
By the way, if you have time to watch C-Span, try to find a panel discussion from the Cooper Union held last Friday on the
fall election and the role of gay and lesbian voters. It was a magnificent group of policital operatives from both sides
who displayed an acumen that was stunning. The Log Cabin folks were particularly perceptive and very alienated from
the Bush campaign. One question that was particularly on target focused on the role of the gay vote in November.
It could be that in close states, an excellent turn out by gay voters (concentrated in urban areas) might make a difference.
The panel pointed to cities such as Denver as examples. No matter what happens in November, these political operatives
were also focused on long-term goals and strategies and were so aware of the practicalities of politics that I was completely
taken aback. Since the issue of gay marriage has come front and center in the last few years, an issue that I never
thought about much, I have become a firm supporter of the cause. Anyway, check out the C-Span schedule and take a look
at this piece on the vote in Georgia. http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/election/0804georgia/28gaymarriage.html
August 28, 2004
South Carolina ranks last in new SAT scores. May be factor in election. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9520110.htm
August 27, 2004
North Carolina is one of the states hardest hit by rise in poverty and loss
of health insurance. Others include Illinois and Texas. Could this have an impact on the election? I noticed
this morning that attack ads on the Republican candidate for governor, Ballantine, stress his opposition to retraining programs.
Not a good year to oppose those spending programs. http://www.heraldsun.com/state/6-515867.html
August 26, 2004
Here's a link to the Miami Herald with articles on upcoming primary (August 31). Describes
bad blood among Republican candidates. I was right to suggest that Florida is a very difficult and complitcated political
terrain these days. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/focus/
August 21, 2004
Here's a link to the Kerry web site where you can see his latest commercial.
It's the most effective one I've seen from the Kerry campaign. It uses clip from a McCain-Bush debate in 2000 when McCain
challenges Bush to denounce smear tactics. It turns the focus away from the Swift boat question and puts it back on
Bush. The Kerry folks should run this one again and again. http://www.johnkerry.com/video/console.php?video=082104_old_tricks#082104_old_tricks
August 19, 2004
From the Washington Post: Essie Mae Washington-Williams, who
spent decades concealing her identity as the biracial daughter of the late senator Strom Thurmond, has decided to put
her face on coins sold by the Confederate States Mint in South Carolina. A portion of proceeds from sales of the commemorative
coins -- $575 for gold, $30 for silver, $20 for bronze -- will be contributed to scholarships, her attorney, Frank Wheaton,
said in a statement yesterday. Washington-Williams, 78, previously announced plans to explore her heritage by applying for
membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a group for descendants of soldiers who fought for the South in the
Civil War. Her memoir, "Dear Senator," is to be published in January.
National GOP to spend over $2 million on NC senatorial race targeting eastern North
Carolina, not major media markets. Good news for eastern NC media! It's a good decision by the GOP. The
race between Burr and Bowles should be close and this media buy goes to the party's conservative base. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/9437992.htm
Some country music artists do support Kerry. http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/election/0804nation/19polmusic.html?UrAuth=`NYNUObN]UbTTUWUXUUUZTZU^UWU]UbUZU`U_UcTYWYWZV
August 18, 2004
Vernon Robinson defeated in NC primary by more moderate Republican.
http://www.news-record.com/election/election2004/congrunoff081804.htm
On Aug. 18, 1963, James Meredith became the first black to graduate
from the University of Mississippi.
August 16, 2004
On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tenn.,
at age 42.
August 15, 2004
If Venezuela's Chavez stays in power after vote, South Florida will continue
to see more migration from that country. Those migrants then ally with Cuban-Americans, creating an even more powerful
bloc in South Florida politics. I'm growing even more fascinated by Florida politics. And by the relations between
the southern states and the Caribbean and South America. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/9403851.htm
Vernon Robinson strikes again. Another melodramatic commercial on the
dangers of illegal immigration. http://www.heraldsun.com/state/6-511333.html
August 14, 2004
Bush lead shrinks to 3 points in NC. Shockingly narrow margin for Republican
in devout Red State. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1527546p-7702817c.html
August 13, 2004
More on Vernon Robinson, right-wing Republican running for Burr's old seat
in House district around Winston-Salem, NC. http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1524288p-7697390c.html
New poll shows Democrat Easley leading Republican in NC governor's race by
wide margin. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/story/1524165p-7697395c.html
August 12, 2004
New poll today--Kerry takes a small lead over Bush in Florida. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/special_packages/election2004/9381940.htm
August 11, 2004
Blogger Kos focuses today on a NC House election for the seat now occupied
by Senate candidate Richard Burr. He predicts that the Democrat will be in the running in a heavily Republican district
because the Republican (Vernon Robinson) is so right wing. It seems that the war within the Republican party may lead
it to self-destruct this year. http://www.dailykos.com/
Bush campaigned in panhandle yesterday. Used J.C. Watts to stress the
gay marriage issue. This has to be effort to bring out his base rather than reaching to independents. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/9368592.htm
Strom's sixth grandchild born. Two from the white family and four from
the shadow family. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9368555.htm
August 10, 2004
Bush and McCain to campaign in Florida's panhandle. State is now leaning
Kerry, so Bush should be focusing more on it on the days to come. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/special_packages/election2004/9361705.htm
August 8, 2004
Senatorial election in South Carolina seems to be all about jobs. Its
unemployment rate is 6.6% and 1 out 8 people in the state do not have health insurance. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9347937.htm
August 7, 2004
Link here to an article in the National Review on the Florida Republican
senatorial election on August 31. It seems that the most interesting division in this election will be between moderate
and extremist Republicans. McCullom, a real conservative, is locked in a battle with Martinez, who has the backing of
the right-to-life movement. MuCullom believes it is ok to use discarded embryonic cells in research while Martinez holds
the line on all stem cell research. The national Republican Party supports Martinez. What is Karl Rove thinking?
Stem cell research is not the central issue of this campaign. It is the economy, stupid. http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200408060843.asp
August 4, 2004
Link to latest Zogby battleground state polls. http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=850
South Carolina Republican senate candidate caught using campaign t-shirts
made in Honduras. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9314457.htm
The Florida state legislature has put an anti-abortion proposal on the ballot
in November. Do I see Rove's hand in this? A measure designed to draw right-wing activists to the polls?
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/9306040.htm?1c
August 3, 2004
The Hill predicts that Edwards will help some in the South only if
he detaches himself from Kerry. I believe that right now Kerry only has a chance to carry one southern state--Florida.
And that is iffy. http://www.thehill.com/news/072904_late/edwardscampaign.aspx
Edwards addressed the SCLC convention in Jacksonville, FL. Bush holds
strong lead in the local area, but Edwards is charged with increasing African-American turnout. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080304/met_16263684.shtml
A new batch of Zogby state polls gives Kerry a bounce and shows a lead for
him in Florida, his only "win" in the South. http://www.electoral-vote.com/
July 29, 2004
Writer at the National Review tries to link Edwards to southern populism
and evangelical preaching. http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/beran200407290736.asp
Edwards' home town of Robbins celebrated his nomination last night.
http://www.thehill.com/campaign/072204.aspx
The controversial Cynthia McKinney won the primary in Georgia and heads into
a difficult fall race. http://www.thehill.com/campaign/072204.aspx
July 23, 2004
It's really close in Florida. New Mason-Dixon poll. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/9221276.htm
Republicans in North Carolina rally around one candidate for governor and
avoid divisive runoff. A bit of good news for Bush and Burr. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1456954p-7594516c.html
July 22, 2004
Erskine Bowles campaign blog. http://www.bowles2004.com/weblog/
July 20, 2004
Loved the acid tone of this piece by Kevin Phillips in The Nation.
I too have little confidence in the personal style of Kerry http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040802&s=phillips
July 19, 2004
Bush is ahead in North Carolina but by a much smaller margin than 2000.
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/elections/story/1435668p-7559493c.html
July 18, 2004
Democrat Erskine Bowles leads Republican by 10 points. Burr strong
in the Triad area, but Bowles leads in rest of the state. http://www.wral.com/news/3537440/detail.html
A New York Post article on Elizabeth Edwards. Very sympathetic. She
may be able to give Senator Clinton a run for her money. http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/27443.htm
July 17, 2004
Another one of Essie Mae's siblings is dead, a sister from Edgefield, a life
long school teacher. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/
July 16, 2004
This story speaks for itself. John and Elizabeth celebrate their wedding
anniversaries at Wendy's. http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=51363&SecID=2
Zogby's latest poll in West Virginia has Bush at 50.6% and Kerry at 43.9%.
Zogby calls this close. I'm not so sure. http://www.zogby.com/news/index.cfm
Excellent piece on Georgia politics and why it is a red state. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9166913.htm
South Carolina's Republican Senatorial candidate ran out of money last month
after primary battle so major fund raisers planned for this summer. The Democratic candidate is sitting on $4 million
after an uncontested primary. This race is for the seat held by Fritz Hollings. http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/9166913.htm
Now at least Edwards turns out to be a normal human being with a normal family.
His brother Wesley is the first black sheep to turn up. He's a classic politician's brother. We don't even need
to list the other brothers of the recent past. They all became famous. Here is the photo of him that appeared
in the Raleigh News and Observer. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1432085p-7555875c.html
July 15, 2004
Hodding Carter steps out front on the environment. Here's one issue
where Bush-Cheney will take a hit. Please get those SUVs off the beaches! And keep those snow mobiles out of the
national parks! http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/15/opinion/15CART.html?th
July 14, 2004
Kerry-Edwards edges out Bush-Cheney in new Florida poll. Democrats
are very strong in southeast portion of the state. This looks to be a tight one.http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/localstoryN0714PREZPOLL.htm
July 13, 2004
USA Today finds that Bush/Cheney will carry North Carolina easily.
Not a surprise to anyone who's been watching NC politics for a while. It will take a miracle for the Democrats
to take this state. http://www.usatoday.com/news/polls/tables/live/2004-07-12-nc-poll.htm
But overall, Edwards does help. Kerry ahead 50-45 in USA Today poll.http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/polls/2004-07-12-poll-election_x.htm
July 12, 2004
A friend passes on the news that Elizabeth Edwards was a graduate student
in English at Carolina before she moved on to the law school. We'll try to track down her interests there.
July 11, 2004
Here's a detailed piece on differences between Kerry and Edwards on trade.
No real surprises here except for revelation that Edwards' father worked for a Milliken factory in South Carolina. That's
a nice touch. An enthusiastic Democrat has a father who worked for the South's Mr. Republican! http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/9128261.htm
Edwards to Iraq? Bob Novak suggests the Kerry campaign is mulling over
the idea. I think it is a brilliant one. Great photo ops of Edwards talking to troops from North Carolina.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20040710.shtml
Edwards-Kerry rally in Raleigh was enthusiastic even thought the weather
was a killer. I considered attending but the heat and humidity were vicious and traffic on I-40 is often backed up.
One question for us: why was Easley absent? http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1417047p-7541042c.html
South Carolina's Lee Bandy makes a case for Kerry-Edwards in the South.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/9125668.htm
July 10, 2004
Edwards is a mover. He went to Europe to prepare for the vice
presidential nod even before Kerry made up his mind. He's a quick study but watch for detailed questions in the debate
with Cheney. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/special_packages/john_edwards/9122749.htm?ERIGHTS=5376354224910298392charlotte::annettewright47@msn.com&KRD_RM=7nquqosusnssuwsvvonnnnnnnn|Annette|Y&is_rd=Y | 
