NC SPIN Posts by John Hood

The state of the Senate race

In the eyes of national pundits, few 2014 races are as important as Sen. Kay Hagan’s reelection bid in North Carolina. For Democrats to retain control of the U.S. Senate, they need to keep GOP gains...    Read More

by John Hood   |   April 9, 2014

FCC should let markets work

In February, Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler declared that the North Carolina General Assembly had no authority to determine telecommunications policy in North Carolina. Well, okay...    Read More

by John Hood   |   April 7, 2014

Don't backtrack on school reform

Liberal politicians, left-wing activists, and the teacher union* may not like it, but the North Carolina General Assembly is not about to abandon its reforms of teacher hiring, firing, and...    Read More

by John Hood   |   April 4, 2014


Start up the rural economy

During most of its history, North Carolina was a state of widely dispersed residents. There were no truly big cities, many small towns, and fewer sparsely populated counties than, say, Virginia or...    Read More

by John Hood   |   April 2, 2014

Look B4U leap 2

I know my advice is fated to be hated. I know it’s hard to follow. But I’m going to offer it, anyway — again. Politicians and pundits across the ideological spectrum should avoid drawing...    Read More

by John Hood   |   March 31, 2014

If it weren't for bad luck

Gloom, despair, and agony on me,” sang the corn-pone troubadours of “Hee Haw,” TV’s long-running variety show. “Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d...    Read More

by John Hood   |   March 28, 2014


Give the President more power

Congress should give President Barack Obama more power — when it comes to the issue of free trade, that is. Conservatives and constitutionalists are rightly concerned about recent arrogations or...    Read More

by John Hood   |   March 26, 2014

Parties to battle in counties

Because I enjoy watching and analyzing legislative politics, it pains me to say this: for the 2014 election cycle in North Carolina, the most competitive and fateful races will be found at the top and...    Read More

by John Hood   |   March 24, 2014



Dumb claims about political smarts

One of the cheapest shots in politics is to claim that only the unschooled and ignorant could possibly side with the other team. Both Democrats and Republicans make the claim about the other party...    Read More

by John Hood   |   March 19, 2014