9 Comments

This is all good news for NC Democrats. But I am seeing signs for RFK Jr. around Chapel Hill and worry that his support could mean Biden loses NC to Trump. Hopefully as RFK's ideological incoherence becomes better known, he will flame out. https://jimbuie.substack.com/p/rfk-jrs-dangerous-candidacy

Expand full comment

I’m enjoying your frank comments and assessments of what is happening in the state. There are so many grassroots organizations operating on all cylinders I wish you would give people options for where they can get involved and start making a difference. Canvassing has started to alert people of what’s at stake. County wide Democrats are already out in force. Nationwide postcarding groups and phone banking groups and in person registration groups are all engaged.

That would be a great service you can perform.

Expand full comment
founding

Thomas, since we are dealing with a massive cult, I think the questions you posed at the opening of this posting is a good path to take. I have adopted this strategy in asking voucher-supporting adults to really ask themselves if they are willing to turn away from the public schools that are the top 3 employers in 97 of our 100 counties and the lost revenue that downsizing that workforce will mean to the counties budget?; given that teachers are the 2nd most influential people to the academic success of their children are you willing to place your children in schools that have no teacher qualification standards?; given that your children will as adults be competing for jobs in a global environment are you willing to have your children taught valid science, or the actual history of our unfolding experiment in democratic government?; are you willing to have the literature they read exclude and be ignorant of other American voices? do you not trust that your places of worship can secure the religious maturity of your children and if not why do you feel it is appropriate to take public tax dollars to reinforce your particular beliefs? Is that what schools are tasked with doing? Are schools to be recast for the purpose of reinforcing Sunday School? Is that in the long term best interest of your children in the future they will face? There are many more questions, but this is a start.

Expand full comment

Last Tuesday's event in Raleigh for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris raised more money than ever before in NC - over 2.3 million dollars. I think we are on our way back to sanity with that kind of support for Democrats.

Expand full comment

I thi k we can carry NC, if the Democratic party and its candidates find a way to work together. The dysfunctional leadership disaster in in Wake is a real problem. We need big number here. Hopefully someone can get these folks to work together

Expand full comment

While I am glad that they see North Carolina as a game changer, if they fail to make themselves present in rural areas since it is not the majority of their base, they fail to maximize their opportunities for support and change in this State.

Expand full comment

Down Home NC is working in the rural areas.

Expand full comment

That's great. My comment, however, is that they (President Biden & Vice President Harris), need to make an effort to be physically present like Trump did at each election cycle.

Expand full comment

Contemporary political tactics frequently hinge on misdirection. The late Republican strategist, Lee Atwater, was arguably a master of this craft. He adeptly used misdirection to achieve positive outcomes, persuading people to heed the “malevolent spirits” over common sense and decency. Among those who hold Atwater in high regard is Donald Trump, whose attempts to reclaim the presidency have been noteworthy. Despite his shortcomings as a real estate speculator, Trump has persuaded a significant portion of the electorate that he is the aggrieved party, not the wrongdoer.

Overlooking the civil judgment regarding his assault on Ms. Carroll and subsequent defamation, Trump employs deceit to minimize his tax obligations to the State of New York, shifting that burden onto those who lacked the cunning to engage in similar deceptive practices. He even compensated an adult film actress for her silence about their fleeting liaison while his wife was home with their newborn son.

Do you recall the veterans Trump disregarded during his visit to the American centenary in France? The brave men and women who served in World War I. These individuals gave their lives in defense of their country or those who survived endured long-term mental and physical trauma. I’m certain there are a few veterans who found his dismissive comments and behavior distasteful. And let’s not overlook another group: the honest individuals who had the courage to start and run small businesses, providing painting or plumbing services for one of Trump’s unsuccessful Atlantic City Casinos. Having placed their trust in Trump as a business savant, they were disillusioned when they realized he was merely a clown who cheated them out of their dues.

Folks, it’s time to confront the truth and acknowledge that our nation’s future is at risk. Trump is not the person you want to entrust with this formidable task. He has amassed millions from individuals who do not have the luxury of gold-plated toilets or private jets to transport them, all while under the protection of an exceptional taxpayer-funded security team. These are the individuals who must make difficult decisions each month about what additional sacrifices they must make to afford life in this country.

You may not be as familiar with Joe Biden as you are with your neighbor, but trust me when I say he understands you. He didn’t inherit eleven million dollars from his father or have degrees from prestigious universities conferred upon him. He has paid his dues, endured the heartbreaking loss of family members, and struggled to stay afloat. He is one of us.

Expand full comment