Heard on the Street Posted: Thursday, January 28th, 2010 Given the momentous news recent events, it was only natural that the street was buzzing this week. Forget the Carolina-State basketball game. We can’t even raise much interest in the impending winter storm that threatens to hit our state tomorrow night. (By the way one weather forecaster we know reportedly said that if he blew this prediction he might consider taking early retirement). No, the big buzz of the week centers on indictments and corruption.
What will Ruffin say?
As Ruffin Poole turns himself in to federal authorities, there is widespread speculation about his indictment last week. Why did the US Attorney choose to indict Poole first? Most believe they have already gotten Lanny Wilson and MacQueen Campbell to give them testimony, but Poole has not yet cooperated to the extent they want. His indictment was intended to get Poole to come forward with what he knows and who was involved in the actions he took. He will be given a chance to plea bargain a lesser sentence and fines, much as Jim Black was supposed to do.
Does this mean that the feds don’t have enough to indict former Governor Easley? Most of those we talked with this week believe they do, but that they want Poole’s testimony to add to the case they have against Easley. One way or another, most believe Easley will be indicted.
Look for more great conversation on this week’s NC SPIN.
What did Lanny say?
Even more buzz surrounds Wilmington developer Lanny Wilson, who resigned from both the DOT board and the Toll authority. What has Wilson told the feds? We know that he has been a fundraiser for Democrats up to and including current Governor Perdue. We understand he played a significant role in helping Democrats raise money in the 2008 election cycle. How far up the food chain does Wilson’s testimony go? Is there any correlation between Wilson’s resignation and the resignation of Perdue’s chief of staff Zach Ambrose on the same day?
It would be accurate to say that many current elected officials are worried about what Lanny Wilson has said to federal investigators. We understand that even though Wilson has agreed to cooperate with the investigations, no deals have been cut for him or Campbell.
What are the feds doing at DMV?
We hear that federal agents have expanded their investigation into the NC Department of Motor Vehicles. They are looking at service providers, contracts, hiring records, and license agency agreements. DMV employees are cooperating with the investigation. We are told to expect significant revelations to come from this investigation.
DA under investigation
We also learned this week that an incumbent District Attorney in Person/Caswell counties is under investigation by six SBI agents and may very well be indicted on charges related to indecent conduct. We understand the DA has or will soon announce his retirement from the post but if he is indicted stands to lose his judicial retirement.
Perdue’s new chief of staff
Even as Governor Perdue is vacationing in “a warm climate” a short list of candidates to become her new chief of staff is being vetted. It is inevitable some of the names on the list would be leaked. If accurate, there are some significant names under consideration that include Linda Hayes, current Secretary for the Department of Juvenile Justice; Phil Baddour, former legislator; Norris Tolson, current head of the NC Biotechnology Center; and Brynn Thomas, special assistant to the Governor.
Boliek opts out of Cumberland campaign
We recently reported that Dave Boliek, Jr. would challenge Margaret Dickson in a primary election to replace Tony Rand in Cumberland County. This week we received a press announcement saying he wouldn’t run against Dickson. Little else was said, leaving observers to fill in the blanks. Boliek still has the “itch” to run for public office, we hear, and his gesture was one to ensure party unity.
Judge Julia?
When Senator Julia Boseman leaves her state Senate post she is telling friends that she plans to run for a new District Court Judge position that will be opening up. The pay and retirement are certainly better than service in the legislature. Read the story in the Wilmington Star-News.
Filing period opens February 8th
In 10 days the filing window opens for candidates who wish to run in the 2010 elections. Political wonks will be watching closely who files and who doesn’t. If this cycle is like most, you can expect at least one surprise in a candidate opting not to file for re-election and you can also expect to be surprised at some who might file. Republicans have been conducting a major effort to recruit legitimate candidates in their quest to take over the Senate and the House. We should see the results of their efforts soon.
Voter registrations, coupled with population shifts, point to a real shift of power in this state. Read more in My Spin.
What is Nick Mackey doing?
We have spilled lots of ink (o.k. cyberspace) talking about the antics of Representative Nick Mackey. Now there’s rumor that Wacky Mackey might be recruiting challengers to run against incumbent fellow Democrats Malcolm Graham, Beverly Earle and Becky Carney, all from Mecklenburg County.
One of those mentioned to run is a former legislative aide to Mackey. Another is a friend from his police days. Nick says he knows them and would even support them, but he had nothing to do in recruiting them. "It's offensive to me for someone to say 'Nick Mackey did this’, he said. "They don't have any basis to say it."
Yeah, well why are so many saying it, Nick?
Eudy commiserates with PR agents
Capstrat Head Ken Eudy, himself the former executive director of the NC Democratic Party and Public Relations advisor to public persons, wrote a blog recently outlining the difficulty of PR consultants in dealing with politicians. Specifically, Eudy commiserates with Joyce Fitzpatrick, respected PR pro, who represented former US Senator John Edwards throughout his most recent implosions. Says Eudy, “You always hope that clients will be honest with you if you're their public relations adviser. After all, you can't give them your best advice if they don't level with you. But some people - apparently Edwards is one of them - become separated from the ability to even know the truth, much less tell it on an ongoing basis.”
Read “How Can You Tell When John Edwards is Lying?”
Don’t know about you, but I’m tired of hearing about John Edwards. Now that we know what kind of guy he is,let’s let him crawl somewhere else. The media is giving him fodder for a new book. Get over it.
Gambling a “Safe bet”
The Cherokee casino and state lottery may have changed opinions about gambling in our state. A WRAL story elaborates on reports we have previously given concerning sweepstakes games spreading like kudzu in North Carolina. This is an interesting story and video. Watch Cullen Browder’s story.
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