Heard on the Street Posted: Thursday, December 17th, 2009 White Christmas?
Weather forcasters are trying very hard not to create widespread panic but it looks like much of our state might be seeing white this weekend, either from the event Friday or another one late Saturday. Chances are good it will be long gone before the jolly old elf makes his rounds on December 24th but if we see snow it will certainly excite the little ones…of all ages.
`Tis the season to be….unpopular
North Carolina residents may have a ho-ho-ho on their lips but they have no-no-no in their hearts for politicians. Take a look at the latest numbers:
Senator Richard Burr, facing his first re-election appears at this moment to have trouble. A recent poll by Civitas shows him trailing a generic Democrat. For those not familiar with pollspeak, this terminology reports Burr`s numbers against ANY Democrat. PPP, the polling group that admits its Democratic leanings, shows it a bit different. Their recent poll shows Burr leading 42-41 against the generic D. When put against special candidates the results show:
Richard Burr 42 – Elaine Marshall 37
Richard Burr 43 – Kenneth Lewis 37
Richard Burr 45 – Cal Cunningham 36
Even as Marshall got endorsements from two powerful women`s groups (National Organization for Women and Women`s Campaign Forum) it is obvious that Cunningham is the fair-haired child. No less than the President calls Cal to chat him up. Can Dems afford to alienate women?
Burr`s negatives are the problem. He has a 35 percent favorable and 37 percent unfavorable rating, according to PPP. Independents are abandoning him. The poll points out that at this same point in the election cycle two years ago Dole held a 51-39 lead over Kay Hagan. Burr has been more visible than Elizabeth Dole but PPP says voters just don`t know him. Can we foresee a name recognition campaign coming soon?
Burr isn`t alone, however. Despite the avalanche of TV ads telling us to call Kay Hagan, PPP projects that Hagan may not be very well known in the state. Her numbers show 36 percent of the voters approve of the job she is doing while 44 percent disapprove. Only 57 percent of Dems approve, while 29 percent of Independents and only 9 percent of the GOP voters like the job she is doing.
This should give some comfort to Governor Perdue. After ticking up a bit last month, the Governor`s approval is now 27 percent. She is one of the eight most unpopular governors in the country. As PPP suggests, not only is re-election problematic but she doesn`t have much clout with the legislature which will come to town in May.
Dems caucusing in Raleigh
North Carolina Democrats are caucusing in Raleigh to discuss the 2010 elections. We are told that even with poor approval ratings as reflected in polls the mood is very upbeat. House Speaker Joe Hackney feels confident that the Democrats may gain two or three seats in next November`s elections.
But there is increasing speculation that Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight will not run again, despite what he is publicly saying. We also hear that even though Senator Charles Albertson says he will run again that he is going to hang it up, especially since the large agriculture producers might back DA Dewey Hudson in a primary. If Senator R.C. Soles doesn`t run we hear that former House member David Redwine from Ocean Isle will run and that Bill Saffo, Mayor of Wilmington, will seek the Democratic nomination for Julia Boseman`s Senate seat, with Thom Goolsby being the Republican challenger.
State Employees are mounting a major campaign to unseat incumbents, including House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman. We were told that the mantra is “no walking wounded.”
We also hear that GOP Chair Tom Fetzer is raising buckets full of money from Republicans who smell victory next year following all the corruption scandals. They are also working hard to recruit credible candidates to run.
Mark your calendars. NC SPIN will present a special edition on January 10th with Fetzer and a ranking Democratic Party official (no word yet) talking about the state of political parties in our state and how they will fare in 2010.
No judicial rankings
One thing that won`t be included in the 2010 elections will be a reporting of judicial evaluations. The North Carolina Bar Association has long advocated some system for reporting to the public how well district and superior court judges conduct their courts. Former Supreme Court Justice Rhoda Billings headed a committee that sent an evaluation survey to judges, DA`s and court officials asking for evaluations. The hope was that these evaluations could be compiled and reported in time for the 2010 judicial elections.
Judges from top to bottom were livid we were told, saying that sample sizes were not sufficient to draw concrete conclusions. We understand the outcry was loud and even appellate judges were employed to halt the report. When we talked with a representative from the Bar Association we were told evaluation by Billings` committee was that no report will be released.
As long as North Carolina insists on electing judges there needs to be some way of determining which judges are or are not effective in administering justice. The NC Bar Association has not given up on this effort but there will be no such reporting for the 2010 elections. This could be an interesting discussion for a future NC SPIN.
Perdue scorned for scorning judges
And Bev seems to keep digging the hole for herself deeper. The Governor was indignant in responding to Judge Ripley Rand`s decision to release two inmates sentenced to life imprisonment during the 1970`s who had sued the state. This whole case is bizarre but the Trial Lawyers took Perdue to the woodshed for her remarks about the verdict. This indignation may play well with the voters but it isn`t winning friends among the courthouse gang.
For more interesting discussion about this topic be sure to catch this week`s NC SPIN.
Easley troubles continue
Ruffin Poole, former legal counsel to Governor Easley will testify before the State Board of Elections this afternoon at 4 p.m. Many think Poole will invoke his 5th Amendment rights and won`t say much because he is also a target of a federal investigation surrounding his role in helping obtain DENR permits for developers who were friendly with Easley. Many believe the fact that the hearing was scheduled for 4 p.m. indicates this won`t be long but they want to get Poole on the record. Today`s News and Observer reports DENR officials admit Poole approached them about expediting permits.
Meanwhile three more DENR employees are called to testify before the Grand Jury.
We learned that the former governor must be plenty worried about his situation. He hired Joe Cheshire, one of the top lawyers in the state in criminal defense. Cheshire is also one of the most expensive. Given Mr. Easley`s penchant for squeezing a buck this speaks volumes.
More discussion on this week`s NC SPIN.
Edwards problems continue
A former aide to former Senator John Edwards is preparing to release his new book and accusations are flying about what it says about John Edwards` affair and a reported child from that liaison. Meanwhile talk around North Carolina swirls about Rielle Hunter, the woman involved in the affair.
Folks in Charlotte are saying that Edwards has bought a home for Rielle and the baby. According to the Charlotte O a private trust with connections to Edwards purchased a home in the Eastover section of Charlotte for $535,000. No name is given on the trust documents but the treasurer of the trust is Maria Lynch, a Raleigh attorney who is treasurer of the trust Edwards set up in honor of his son who died.
People in Southport are convinced their community will be the new home for Hunter. Rumors have been abundant about homes supposedly inspected and/or bought for Hunter in the port town.
WRAL news reported that Edwards and others boarded a private jet owned by “Bunny” Mellon, a supporter for Edwards` presidential campaign. According to the report the plane traveled to the Mellon farm in Upperville, Va. WRAL was tipped that the jet was coming into RDU and filmed the event. But we also understand the feds were there filming.
Just what Edwards discussed with the 99 year old heiress is unknown but legal eagles say she might be called as a witness in the investigation into Edwards` campaign finances. If true, Edwards might face an additional charge of witness tampering.
Where`s there is smoke….
A second official of the LEA company chaired by Senator Tony Rand has accused the powerful legislator of trying to manipulate stock prices in the firm. The plot thickens.
All the discussion about the conduct of public officials calls into question the honest services provision of the federal law that requires all corporate and public officials to provide honest service in the conduct of their office. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments as to the validity of this law and is expected to rule in coming weeks on the matter. It was this law that helped Michael Decker, former Congressman Frank Ballance and Kevin Geddings. If this law is struck down it might impact former Governor Mike Easley positively. Read an interesting edit in the Charlotte O and stay tuned for this topic to be discussed on a future NC SPIN.
Revenue numbers bad
State revenues continue to fall about 1.5 percent below projections. Through the first five months of the state`s fiscal year this amounts to some $115 million below budget. Seasoned observers say the unemployment picture bodes more red ink next year and some are projecting a $350 million deficit by year`s end.
How will the state fill this deficit? Legislators won`t raise taxes in an election year and they have shown they haven`t effectively reduced the size of government. Tax reform, by most all estimates, won`t happen in the short session. While many legislators don`t like the notion, there is a growing sense that the state will legalize and tax video poker. Estimates are that revenues could exceed $450 million per year. Video sweepstakes machines are spreading like kudzu and are raking in big dollars. We picked up info that one site in Raleigh is raking in as much as $6,000 per night. Video poker proponents have to close the deal by getting public opinion behind them but this is looking more and more plausible.
But legalizing video poker could bring on a new effort by the Cherokee to get table games at their Harrah`s casino. Their position will be one of equity. If video machines are legal everywhere else they are once again disadvantaged. The Governor should allow table games to help the tribe. Might be a winning argument.
We`re number 4
The News and Observer reported that North Carolina has the fourth highest number of student suspensions of any state in the nation. Black males and special education students are disproportionately represented, according to the study. Why does NC rank so high? Whose fault is it? What can be done about this?
You can be sure NC SPIN is all over this one. Listen in for some great talk about this topic.
While on the subject of public education your reporter had the opportunity to sit with Superintendent June Atkinson this week for a private interview about public education. We were impressed and heard first-hand that new innovations are being tested to help improve k-12 schools in our state. Read more about this interview in our My Spin column, “Getting Ready for Life”.
ABC salaries ranked
As a committee is investigating the salaries paid to local ABC employees WRAL reports that the state ABC board has no control over those salaries. They are decided by the 163 local ABC boards.
WRAL lists the top 15 salaries paid to administrators and their annual sales.
NC SPIN taking orders
2010 promises to be an interesting year with elections, possible indictments, the economy and many topics to discuss. Now is a good time to make sure your organization is delivering your message to our large audience of influential viewers and listeners. There are many ways you can do so. Contact Al Leonard at (919) 832-1416 or al.leonard@carolinabroadcasting.com to learn more. ");
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