On “Cooper’s” response to Hurricane Matthew, that storm hit in October of 2016 — when the Governor’s Mansion was still occupied by Pat McCrony. Once Cooper took over the mantle of the Governor’s office in January of 2017, we had lost the White House and both houses of Congress. And if my memory serves (NOT a given by any means) newly inaugurated GovernorCooper asked the newly inaugurated Donald Trump’s FEMA for something like $900m in federal aid, and got … $6m? So if NC got screwed by ANYbody in response to Matthew they got screwed by Republicans. Same as they did with Helene. Which is far more germane, since Whatley was directly involved in that “recovery”. That’s a dog that won’t hunt no matter which way you slice it, but the Cooper campaign and the NCDP can’t make the mistake of playing nice. This is going to be a knife fight, and that should be the mindset going in. I don’t like the idea of politics as blood sport either, but we didn’t make the rules. (I’m a lot less concerned with the NCDP trying to apply the rules of the 20th century now that they have a 21st century chair. Literally.
Thomas, what is your take on any of the Democratic challengers to the Red Congressional Districts in NC? I've met a couple who are farmers in their district and have the ear of other farmers and their neighbors - Paul Barringer for District 13, which includes a part of Wake County, and Jaime Ager, District 11 whom you wrote about previously. There are others who are campaigning actively in other districts. And if course, do you think the Don Davis has a chance to hold onto his district?
Cogent as usual '-) Amplifying on Ms. Bromer's comment below, what's your take on the reconstituted 9th? I've found Major Ojeda's public statements (and emails :-)) to be refreshingly direct. True, he's a bit "crustier" than Shelane Etchison was 2 years ago, but he is a registered Democrat with some national recognition, and should win the primary handily. 'Spect Mr. Hudson is in for an "interesting" general challenge. Especially as his buddy-buddy relationship with our Fearful Leader in DC (especially regarding health support issues) becomes more and more obvious to our rural voters.
As a former government and political reporter I learned early people vote with their wallets. We have 11 months. Strong grass roots campaigning and economic messaging will drive democratic leaning voters to the polls. BUT there also must be an effort to clean up questionable registrations and be sure those who move from one county in North Carolina to another re-register in their new home county.
Here’s hoping that politics follows the rule: the out-of-power crew wins, because they’re not stuck holding the bag with that goofy cartoon character you only see on the comedy channel.
On “Cooper’s” response to Hurricane Matthew, that storm hit in October of 2016 — when the Governor’s Mansion was still occupied by Pat McCrony. Once Cooper took over the mantle of the Governor’s office in January of 2017, we had lost the White House and both houses of Congress. And if my memory serves (NOT a given by any means) newly inaugurated GovernorCooper asked the newly inaugurated Donald Trump’s FEMA for something like $900m in federal aid, and got … $6m? So if NC got screwed by ANYbody in response to Matthew they got screwed by Republicans. Same as they did with Helene. Which is far more germane, since Whatley was directly involved in that “recovery”. That’s a dog that won’t hunt no matter which way you slice it, but the Cooper campaign and the NCDP can’t make the mistake of playing nice. This is going to be a knife fight, and that should be the mindset going in. I don’t like the idea of politics as blood sport either, but we didn’t make the rules. (I’m a lot less concerned with the NCDP trying to apply the rules of the 20th century now that they have a 21st century chair. Literally.
Thomas, what is your take on any of the Democratic challengers to the Red Congressional Districts in NC? I've met a couple who are farmers in their district and have the ear of other farmers and their neighbors - Paul Barringer for District 13, which includes a part of Wake County, and Jaime Ager, District 11 whom you wrote about previously. There are others who are campaigning actively in other districts. And if course, do you think the Don Davis has a chance to hold onto his district?
Cogent as usual '-) Amplifying on Ms. Bromer's comment below, what's your take on the reconstituted 9th? I've found Major Ojeda's public statements (and emails :-)) to be refreshingly direct. True, he's a bit "crustier" than Shelane Etchison was 2 years ago, but he is a registered Democrat with some national recognition, and should win the primary handily. 'Spect Mr. Hudson is in for an "interesting" general challenge. Especially as his buddy-buddy relationship with our Fearful Leader in DC (especially regarding health support issues) becomes more and more obvious to our rural voters.
As a former government and political reporter I learned early people vote with their wallets. We have 11 months. Strong grass roots campaigning and economic messaging will drive democratic leaning voters to the polls. BUT there also must be an effort to clean up questionable registrations and be sure those who move from one county in North Carolina to another re-register in their new home county.
Here’s hoping that politics follows the rule: the out-of-power crew wins, because they’re not stuck holding the bag with that goofy cartoon character you only see on the comedy channel.