Politics.MyNC.com

Moore vs. Cooper?

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:30:32 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. - A turf battle between Attorney General Roy Cooper and State Treasurer Richard Moore may be more than just two state agencies vying for power in North Carolina. It could preview a Democratic race to challenge Republican Sen. Richard Burr. Cooper and Moore are among the top Democratic names mentioned as possible hopefuls following Democrats’ [...]

Fla. Rep. ‘Flabbergasted’ Obama Call Wasn’t Prank

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:24:35 +0000

MIAMI - First she hung up on President-elect Barack Obama - twice. Now Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is fielding calls from angry constituents who think she did it on purpose. The Miami congresswoman says she and the Democrat had a good laugh Wednesday after she apologized profusely for assuming his calls were a prank. “I was just [...]

Experts: U.S. Should Remain In Iraq

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:29:25 +0000

Even as the U.S. presence is on the verge of receding in Iraq, America needs to stay engaged with that key Middle Eastern nation, two international experts said in Richmond on Wednesday. “Iraq could be a positive force in the region,” said former Iraqi defense official Nazar Janabi.But, Janabi said, “that will require some strategic patience” [...]

Jeb Bush Bid For Senate Could Clear GOP Field

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:06:38 +0000

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Still popular in Florida, former Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that he’s interested in the seat Sen. Mel Martinez is giving up, and the field of possible candidates could quickly narrow to make way for the president’s younger brother. Bush, 55, won praise from Democrats and Republicans alike for leading the state through [...]

Freeman Ends 38 Years In State Government

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Franklin Freeman, legislative liaison for Gov. Mike Easley, plans to retire next month, ending a 38-year career in state government ranging from local prosecutor to a seat on the state Supreme Court.

Franken Says He’ll Drop 633 Challenges In Recount

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:02:33 +0000

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Democrat Al Franken withdrew 633 challenges to ballots Wednesday in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race in what could be a first step toward a quicker conclusion to the recount. Franken’s attorney, Marc Elias, said many more withdrawals are likely. An attorney for Republican Norm Coleman said he may follow suit soon. Any reduction in [...]

Obama Savors Easy Pace Before The Storm

Jennifer Wig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:10:30 +0000

CHICAGO - Barack Obama appears to be enjoying his last few weeks of pondering the nation’s problems without being held accountable for them. The president-elect teased reporters and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, his choice for commerce secretary, during a brief, lighthearted news conference Wednesday. It stood in sharp contrast to Monday’s event, where a solemn [...]

DHHS Secretary Not Perdue’s Choice

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:12:38 +0000

Governor-elect Perdue says Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton won’t be serving in her administration for long.

Palin Files Late Disclosure For Free Trips

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:20:48 +0000

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin has added to her financial disclosure forms two free trips that she took nearly two years ago but failed to report. Palin, who was Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, made the disclosures last month, but after Election Day when she and McCain lost to Barack Obama and Joe [...]

Now That Youth Are Voting, What Next?

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:44:34 +0000

On November 4, 23 million young people came out to vote–the largest number since 1972 and 3.4 million larger than in 2004. But what next?

Secretary Clinton: Ship Of State

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:42:29 +0000

(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 12-02-08) William Seward and Salmon Chase contended against Abraham Lincoln for the 1860 GOP presidential nomination. After his election, Lincoln named Seward his secretary of state and Chase his secretary of treasury. Their nominations suggested not only Lincoln’s magnanimity but his leadership. Yesterday, a president-elect from Illinois made his chief competitor for the 2008 Democratic [...]

Designer Knits Helms Doll

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:58:12 +0000

The North Carolina Republican is one of six people who died this year included in a set of “Gone But Not Forgotten” knitted finger puppets being sold by the New York-based shop Moss.

Rice Demands Pakistan Help In Probe Of Attacks

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:55:30 +0000

NEW DELHI - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought Wednesday to refocus India and Pakistan on a common fight against terrorism and away from their mutual suspicions of one another, but neither country seemed willing to go along. Rice made an emergency condolence visit to India a week after a coordinated terror assault on Western or [...]

Dems Blame Bush For Economy

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:26:01 +0000

A new national study among 215 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed that the majority of Democrats (60 percent) indicated that the Bush administration is to blame for the current financial crisis in the U.S., while Republicans and Independents cited U.S. businesses and Congress.

Obama Taps Richardson For Commerce

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:44:45 +0000

CHICAGO - President-elect Barack Obama has selected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be secretary of commerce in his new administration. Richardson is the first Hispanic that Obama has named to his rapidly forming Cabinet, which also includes two women, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Napolitano. Richardson was among the challengers to Obama for the Democratic Party [...]

New Legislators Getting Settled

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:43:42 +0000

Freshman legislators are learning the ropes this week, according to the N&O.

Easley On Mysterious Road Trip

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:41:29 +0000

After his trip to Philadelphia for the governor’s conference, Gov. Mike Easley flew to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where his plane will remain until Thursday.

Chambliss Wins In Georgia

Jennifer Wig — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:59:07 +0000

ATLANTA - There’s now just one unresolved Senate contest in the country. But the stakes in the Minnesota recount are much lower, since Democrat hopes of a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority have been dashed. Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss won a bruising runoff battle against Democrat Jim Martin in Georgia yesterday. It’s a rare bright spot for Republicans in [...]

Perdue, Easley Discuss Economy At Obama Meeting

Jennifer Wig — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:15:39 +0000

PHILADELPHIA - Barack Obama has been reaching out to governors from both parties today — including Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. She said after today’s meeting in Philadelphia that she’s “optimistic” about Obama’s words of bipartisanship. Obama promised the governors equal friendship and cooperation in rebuilding the economy, regardless of party labels. He says he wants the governors’ advice [...]

A Closer Look At Reggie Love

Jennifer Wig — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:10:01 +0000

From Duke’s basketball team to Obama’s Presidential team, Reggie Love shares the details.