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Sunday Roundup
posted at 2008-03-02 13:01 | Last modified 2008-03-02 14:08
Buzzer Beaters
Jim Long out: Just before Friday’s filing deadline, longtime Insurance Commissioner Jim Long announced he won’t run again, throwing his support to his deputy, Wayne Goodwin. Two other contenders jumped in as well.
I’m honestly sorry to hear “the oldest rat in the barn” is checking out. Long’s a smart, funny guy who’s never at a loss for words, albeit occasionally unprintable. The AP’s Gary Robertson has this look back on Long’s career.
Morgan times 2: Former House Republican co-speaker Richard Morgan made a last minute appearance, too, to file for a run for Superintendent of Public Instruction. His wife, Cindy, also filed last week for a state Senate run. (That’s gonna be a busy household for the next few months.)
You just know Richard Morgan had to be laughing out loud at this quote from Fay-O's Sarah Reid.
“Chris McClure, the executive director of the Republican Party, would not comment when asked whether he thought Morgan still had political capital to burn.
“'The basics are that we don’t get involved in primaries,' he said.”
Ready to rumble: Longtime Mecklenberg Rep Drew Saunders gained an unexpected primary challenger: Nick Mackey, the controversial Sheriff’s candidate appointed but subsequently rejected in a bitter internal struggle that shook the county’s Democratic party. The well-connected incumbent hasn’t faced a credible challenge in years. The Char-O’s Greg Lacour reports this could be a big one.
Weekend Ink
Char-O's Mark Johnson and David Ingram did the math on contributions to Richard Moore's campaign from NY investment firm The Blackstone Group.
“Last fiscal year, the state committed $200 million to two of Blackstone's real estate investment funds, and the firm received about $1 million in fees.
"Blackstone employees are also among the new contributors to the gubernatorial campaign of Treasurer Richard Moore, who has ultimate authority over the pension fund. Nine employees gave $18,000 last year to Moore's campaign. Though one, founder Stephen Schwarzman, has been contributing since 2003, most had never given before.”
Nothing here is illegal, as the story also points out. But it’d be one heck of a stretch not to question the connection. Even if it’s legal, it doesn’t look good. Especially in the context of this companion piece by David Ingram and Rick Rothacker on the steep increase in what the state's paying its alternative investment groups, including Blackstone.
Both stories are fair, solid reporting, and I think Johnson, Ingram, and Rothacker deserve a lot of credit for them. But it’s about the last thing Richard Moore’s campaign needs right now. There’s a lot of speculation on Jones St. about why Moore hasn’t gained more ground against Perdue in most polls. This kind of coverage doesn’t help.
Wilmington’s Sam Scott had local reaction to the news Rep Thomas Wright filed for re-election Friday.
Wright hasn't been found guilty of anything, so he has every right to file. But in practical terms, it’s hard to see this as anything more than a defiant gesture. He can’t raise campaign money – his account's been closed by the State Elections Board for failure to file reports. That'll make it tough to fight off his primary challengers. Then there's his criminal corruption trial, plus a House ethics hearing Monday that could end with a recommendation for his expulsion. Maybe he’d rather lose his seat the old-fashioned way - in an election.
Greensboro’s Mark Binker reports on the persistence of video gambling. Is it legal if it’s a “phone card sweepstakes?” That depends what county you’re in.
Winston Salem’s James Romoser says 2008 could be the Year of the Woman in NC politics.
Louis Hansen at the Virginian-Pilot looks at the role Blackwater might play in state politics this year.
Comements? Drop me a line.
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