What an exciting week in politics it’s been. Municipal elections in North Carolina, Democrat devastation in Kentucky, and a brewing battle between the governor and the state media, all sandwiched between two presidential debates. So here’s a couple of things you might have missed amidst all the commotion:
Tillis not in the KKK. Twitter lit up on Monday after Anonymous reported that a number of Republican senators, including our junior senator Thom Tillis, are members of the Ku Klux Klan. Progressives gleefully awaiting his impending resignation were disappointed, however, when it was revealed that that the list of “members” was obtained by culling of e-mail addresses. Among those on the list were a number of ultra-liberal Democratic mayors, e.g. people especially unlikely to be members of the Klan.
As it turns out, politics is full of folks willing and eager to sully the names of their enemies by signing them up as members of extremist groups, which appears to be what happened here. The counterargument from Tillis’s enemies: while Anonymous hasn’t proved anything, there’s still no proof that Tillis isn’t in the Klan. Of course, the fact that Tillis is a Catholic and that no modern politician in his right mind would ever seek membership with the Klan should be proof enough.
Chapel Hill Votes for Change Mark Kleinschmidt, Democratic mayor of Chapel Hill since 2009, lost to fellow Democrat Pam Hemminger. Kleinschmidt was the first openly gay mayor of the town (and the third in the entire state) and originally elected in 2009. It appears that Kleinschmidt was the victim of a motivated group known as CHALT (Chapel Hill Alliance for a Livable Town), which fears that the town’s charm is giving way to mass development.
This result, while an upset, is hardly unique in the Triangle. This year, we’ve seen a number of races won and lost due to concerns about overdevelopment and managing population growth. Those public officials seen as too eager to embrace development have been paying the price at the polls.
McCrory Ethics Complaints Dismissed Two ethics complaints filed by Progress NC against Governor McCrory were dismissed by the State Ethics Commission after they found no probable cause that the governor had violated any laws. McCrory says all 585 pages of the complaint were filled with frivolous complaints, so this decision is a vindication for him.
Bob Rucho Retiring OK, you probably didn’t miss this one. It’s the big story today. Republican Bob Rucho of Matthews is not seeking reelection. In the legislature, Rucho was known for his advocacy of tax reform, drawing fair and legal district maps for the General Assembly, and for antagonizing liberals everywhere. His district is solidly GOP so there’s probably going to be a crowded primary of Charlotte-area Republicans looking to move up. There are of course a lot of folks on the Left who are ecstatic that Rucho is leaving, but they shouldn’t celebrate too hard: the outgoing senator fully intends to continue to inflict pain on liberals through his dental practice.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
As I read the actual news about this story, Anonymous did NOT release Tillis’s or anyone else’s names as KKK members. Anonymous announced that they would release names on Nov. 16. Someone else scammed the public with a false release on Nov. 2–probably as an attempt to discredit Anonymous in advance (like Nixon’s dirty tricksters. So asserting that “Anonymous released names” is false, incorrect, or just plain careless, as is so much of what Mr. Wynne types.
I appreciated Kleinschmidt’s role as the political voice of the gay community, but he was an inept mayor. Inept is a kind way of putting it. Let’s hope CH truly does get a change.
BTW-That’s not an expression of support for CHNA, the Chapel Hill Nimby Alliance.
“Of course, the fact that Tillis is a Catholic and that no modern politician in his right mind would ever seek membership with the Klan should be proof enough.”
John, this is exactly the type of sentence that torpedoes your credibility. “Politician” and “right mind” should never be used in the same sentence ….. seriously.
Case in point ….. Mike Huckabee. A God fearing evangelical preacher should never seek membership or association with a bunch of ultra (actually that’s too conservative of a word) right wing, ignorant torch bearers.
Perhaps you should consider writing fiction.
“An Observer” mimics the New and Observer. Vicious innuendo designed to slander political conservatives without a shred of proof. False rumors and character defamation are the left’s stock and trade, particularly when they are on the losing side of political battles.
Ebrun……..
I can honestly say that “mimic” ing the News & Observer is perhaps the highest compliment in my life and well above obtaining the not so prestigious award of Eagle Scout. But “innuendo”, “slander”, ” false rumors” and “character defamation” add more to that now “mimic” ing prestige.
The fact that you have taken the time to respond to my comment speaks highly of your inclinations.
I realize the word “Ebrun” has some significance in your life. I’ve searched high and low for a measure of importance. The best I could come up with is this………http://www.amazon.com/Ebrun-Beautiful-Solid-Color-Floppy/dp/B00U7CKITE
To paraphrase the Doobie Brothers, “What a fool believes…,” no wise man can reason away.
Thanks for the accolades.