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Monday: Odds & Ends
posted at 2008-01-14 20:13 | Last modified 2008-01-14 21:30
Mayoral mojo?
No, and quit askin’, already. Political consultant and former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer says he’s been besieged with calls about rampant rumors that he’s working for (presumed) gubernatorial candidate and current Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Fetzer says there’s “no truth” in it: “Pat is a good friend, but I have not talked to him in months, and not one word about the Governor’s race.” So there you have it.
McCrory's "mystery conference" is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in the small Guilford County town of Jamestown. Wonder what he'll say...
Happy Birthday, Bev!
The AP’s Gary Robertson reminded me that today is the Lt Gov’s birthday. She’s 61 (I think) and celebrating with her first campaign ad of the season. It’s available online at her site or on YouTube.
Her chief rival, Richard Moore, launched his first ad yesterday morning – a two-minute (!!) message that ran during the Sunday newsers. From now on, though, he’ll be running 30-second versions instead. It's glossy, highly-produced, and looks darned expensive. You can see the ad at Moore’s site. Greensboro’s Mark Binker has the full transcript.
By the way, if the last few lines of Moore's ad seem familiar, they are – he repurposed them almost verbatim in his closing statement Thursday night. Now that’s efficiency!
FireFoxx?
Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) was one of just 30 members of Congress to receive a “Golden Mouse” award. No, it’s not some kind of taxpayer thing – it’s the Congressional Management Foundation’s way of recognizing excellent websites.
You can see Foxx’s website here. No, it isn’t beautiful, or slick, or cutting-edge. But it does what it’s supposed to do – help constituents find the information they most often want. It’s regularly updated, it has a search function. And if you can’t find what you want, you don’t have to go three layers in to find a phone number, either. So congratulations, Rep. Foxx!
The whole CMF study and winner’s list is here. (Speaker Nancy Pelosi only got a Silver Mouse, by the way.) What’s really amazing is how many lawmakers’ websites failed abysmally even in the most rudimentary areas, like updated content or contact information. Come on, folks - webbers aren't that hard to come by!
Out of soup
Dome's Ryan Teague Beckwith wants to reserve a place on the Raleigh Soup Line. Me, too, please, O Sultans of Snark.
Belated Sunday round-up:
- Char-O’s David Ingram and Victoria Cherrie wonder whether McCrory’s getting in too late.
- Charlotte’s Jack Betts offered some friendly advice to the Mayor, too.
- The N&O’s Rob Christensen does a political palm-reading for GOP Sen. Richard Burr.
- Greesnboro's Mark Binker had an interesting then-and-now on Richard Moore’s opinion of Public Policy Polling.
- WSJ’s Paul O’Connor says the General Assembly is about to undergo a major staffing turnover – and makes a good argument for keeping the nonpartisan staffing system the way it is.
- Wilmington’s Sam Scott looks at the two contenders for Thomas Wright’s seat and explains why there aren’t more names on that list.
- WaPo’s Libby Copeland analyzes trends in “concession” speeches. (But why did the Post stick this in the “style” section? Oh, wait, never mind.)
Nonpolitical, but close to my heart: Asheville’s Jordan Schrader reports 650 pets could face euthanasia after the state orders a private rescue to shut down. Want to adopt a cat or dog? Please call Hendersonville…soon.
Comments? Drop me a line.
