A political fundraiser for State Senate Pro-Tem Marc Basnight (D-Dare) was advertised via a publicly funded e-mail list according to a news report. An invitation to the event was sent to the town of Kill Devil Hills e-mail list. Using the town e-mail list was unethical, but news reports suggest that the entire episode was [...]
- Jul20
In Kim Strach’s Defense
If you are a woman working in a high-powered job, you should think like your husband. Actually, your husband illegally shares privileged information at home because he wants you to think like him. This is what Governor Perdue’s lawyer John Wallace has made clear to Kim Strach. Deputy Election Director Kim Strach is under fire [...]
- 1Jul14
Investigate the State Board of Elections?
Did the Executive Director and the Chairman of the North Carolina Board of Elections (SBOE) really make changes to an investigative report prepared by its own investigators? If so, it’s time for an outside investigation into the State Board of Elections. WRAL has reported that sources told them Gary Bartlett, executive director, and “Chairman of [...]
- Feb04
Mike “Nick Danger” Easley in More Trouble
Depositions taken last month show that former Democratic Governor Mike Easley was hiding a lot from the people of North Carolina. Testimony from his former communications directors for a public records lawsuit brought by the John Locke Foundation and several news outlets show that Governor Easley had a private email address that he used to [...]
- Jan29
“Little Governor” Goes to Court
I just returned from Ruffin Poole’s initial appearance in federal court before U.S. District Judge Terrance Boyle. Poole, advisor to former Governor Mike Easley, was led into the courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back. Boyle read a summary of the 64-page indictment that refers to Poole as the “Little Governor” because of his [...]
- 1Dec02
Yet More Corruption In NC?
Nah, say it isn’t so. . .The lead story on the WRAL website implicates the most powerful member of the Senate (Tony Rand-D, Cumberland) in an insider trading scheme. (Paul) Feldman alleged that Rand and other politicians engaged in insider trading in 2004 and 2005 and that Rand also was involved in insider trading with [...]
- 1Nov12
Republicans Lead Generic Ballot
In only the second time in our nearly four and a half years of polling at the Civitas Institute, Republicans lead the generic legislative ballot here in North Carolina. Our latest poll has it at 40.7% Republican, 37.8% Democratic. Coincidentally (or not?) the only two times the Republicans have led the generic ballot has been [...]
- Oct28
Day 3 – Easley Hearing (1)
Mac McCorkle was the last to testify at yesterday’s hearings. He was the Issues and Positions consultant for Mike Easley and was responsible for polling and media. He also laid claim to being a “marriage counselor” to Easley as did Dave Horne. McCorkle talked to Easley a lot on the phone and listened to him [...]
- Oct27
Day 2 – Easley Hearing (4)
Michael Hayden is next to testify. He states his profession as a professional political operative specializing in fundraising. His title was Finance Director for the Easley Committee. Hayden stated that his responsibility was to “effectively and persistently raise money within the law”. He moved to NC in 2003 to take the position with the Easley Campaign, [...]
- Oct26
Civitas Poll: Perdue Less Popular Than Easley
With the State Board of Elections set to convene history-making hearings into the campaign finances of former Governor Mike Easley, a new poll released shows current Governor Bev Perdue is thought of more unfavorably than Easley by the voters of North Carolina. When asked if they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Bev Perdue [...]
- Oct21
NC Elections Bd. Opens Easley Hearing Monday
So, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is set to hold hearings on former Governor Mike Easley’s campaign finance irregularities that mostly relate to his use of private planes owned by big time donors. Talk around Raleigh has it that that the US Attorney already has the goods on the former Guv and will [...]