News
NC Dems Hold Huge Advantage in New Voters
On the Tuesday, October 7th episode of NPR’s All Things Considered, Mara Liasson dropped an incredible statistic: in North Carolina, Democrats hold a 6 to 1 advantage in newly registered voters.
McCain Obama North Carolina Ad Spending
Ben Smith at Politico has the full report but it looks like Obama is outspending McCain in North Carolina ads 10 to 1. The next 28 days will be lots of fun in the Tarheel State.
Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl Endorses Barack Obama
A lot has happened today in the world of the Charlotte Observer, first you have the paper endorsing Republican Pat McCrory for North Carolina Governor and now Hugh McColl, the former CEO of Bank of America has a letter in today’s paper chanting his “respect” for John McCain but Barack Obama is “whom we need now.”
Charlotte Observer Endorses McCrory for Governor
Yesterday The Charlotte paper endorsed their mayor of 13 years. McCrory is a republican, urban-minded mayor who raised taxes to fund the Lynx light rail in Charlotte and when pressed said he would support the same kind of sales tax to fund the Triangles transit ambitions. For the first time in over 20 years, North Carolina could very well elect a Republican Governor.
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin in VP Debate on SNL
If you missed last week’s debate, this Saturday Night Live parody of the vice presidential debate might be an adequate substitute. Watch as Tiny Fey plays Governor Sarah Palin and Queen Latifa moderates as Gwen Ifill. Full Video Below The Fold
Watch the Debate with 30 Threads
Our friends Ginny and Wayne have something interesting going tonight on 30 Threads. A special debate page has been setup with live streams of two debate watching parties: One Democrat and one Republican. 30 Threads has set it up so you can watch both streams while you watch the debate, and participate in two separate chats for each party. Talk about multi-tasking! In any case its a charming way to show the two sides and each others reactions to the debate as it goes on. The biggest debate party
Local Band, Local Beer, National Politics
This past weekend, Obama volunteers across the state exceed their goal of knocking on 100,000 doors, managing to hit 107,703 doors. While this is an incredible grassroots efforts, and while NC polls have drastically reversed in the past two weeks, there is much work to be done to ensure a democratic victory in NC. This Thursday, October 2nd, Tir Na Nog’s Local Beer Local Band night will double as a Rock the Vote event, or a Vote Early, Rock Late event if you prefer. More below…
WakeUp’s Elections and Growth October 2nd
Next Thursday October 2nd, WakeUp’s annual meeting will host a panel discussion on issues that are locally relevant in the statewide races. Hosted in Fletcher auditorium in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and hosted by the Indy’s Bob Geary, this event is sure to be educational, entertaining, and well attended. Two pundits Chris Fitzsimon from the left leaning NC Policy Watch and John Hood from the right leaning John Locke Foundation will discuss the finer points of NC politics.
Register to Vote by October 10th!
October 10th is the deadline for voter registration in North Carolina. Our friends over at Gamil have put together an entry that links directly to voter registration forms, answers some questions relevant to students and new Raleigh residents. If you aren’t registered, do yourself a favor by checking out this post. Keep watching New Raleigh as the election approaches, we will do our best to inform you on local candidate positions regarding smart growth and issues important to residents of Raleigh and NC. The Gamil Voter Registration Guide
Mayor, Councilman Stalling Heather Vance for Planning Commission
The City Council is considering the next Planning Commission appointee. The Planning Commission, with a couple or three exceptions, is stacked with (1) developers, (2) developers’ consultants, and (3) random people who know little about planning. For the current opening, a Raleigh citizen named Heather Vance has been nominated and is willing to serve. She has a degree in planning as well as the professional certification in the field (AICP). She has worked as a transportation planning consultant and as a local government planner. She currently is the Communications Director for the American Institute of Architects, North Carolina chapter. So why are Mayor Meeker and Coucilman James West stalling her appointment?
A New Low - News and Observer Distributes Fear Laced DVD
On Saturday September 13th The News and Observer sank to a new low. Included in every paper delivered to homes in Raleigh and across North Carolina was an “informative advertisement” that the Vice President of Display Advertising at the N&O compares to cereal and toothpaste. But, instead of health or hygiene, the product is fear laced propaganda.
Raleigh The Most Political City in the US
Hey whatya know, another list and another #1 ranking for Raleigh. This time it is Most Political US City voted on by Men’s Health Magazine with Montgomery, Alabama coming in second.
Inflowential And Kumar Rally for Obama
Celebrity Kal Penn, known for his roles as Kumar in the Harold and Kumar movies and as Dr. Lawrence Kutner on the TV series House, joins local hip-hop sensation Inflowential at NCSU on Monday, Sept. 1 from 11am-2pm to rally for Obama. The event will take place at Harris Field, in front of Witherspoon off Dan Allen Drive.
Obama Town Hall Recap
Fresh off a Hawaiian vacation, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, paid a visit to Raleigh, NC to conduct a town hall meeting with about2,500 3,000 people. Recap, pictures, and video below the fold…
Obama Town Hall in Raleigh Tuesday
Obama will conduct a town hall meeting Tuesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm in the Exposition Center at the NC State Fairgrounds. The focus of the event will be the economy, specifically economic security since the unemployment rate in NC has hit a five year high. NC is leaning red, but the Obama campaign is devoting a lot of manpower because it is very possible that our state may go blue in November for the first time since 1976. Ticket info and more below the fold…
Obama Fundraiser Thursday at 101 Lounge
Want to help out one of the presidential candidates as well as check out one of the newest bars in Downtown Raleigh? You’ll have your chance tomorrow night at 101 Lounge. More info below the fold.
Democratic and Independent Voter Registration Up in Wake County
From the time between January 2005 and 2008, the rate of voters to register Unaffiliated in Wake County has risen at a larger rate than that of the Democratic or Republican party. But, since the beginning of 2008, both Democratic and Independent registration has exponentially increased when compared to Republicans. Will North Carolina go blue in November?
RNC Head Mike Duncan in Town Wednesday
Under The Dome alerts us that Republican National Committee Chair Mike Duncan will be in town tomorrow for a “roundtable discussion with local Republican leaders at the state GOP headquarters at 2:30 p.m.”
Editorial: Faction Fiction
Our elected officials must question what private money builds in the public realm.
Obama Easley Fist Bump Spawns Surgery
North Carolina Governor Mike Easley recently had surgery on his shoulder which he said was a result of his fist bump with Obama.
