Civitas polling over the past two months has shown a significant decline in both Gov. Bev Perdue’s job approval and personal favorability ratings.

After beginning the year riding high on the Democratic honeymoon period thanks to President Obama, Perdue’s numbers have taken a sharp nose dive. Her job approval rating is basically even and her personal favorability has fallen into the negative range.

While there has been some bleed off from her Republican and unaffiliated supporters, the largest decline can be attributed to the loss of her Democratic voter base.. This may explain why she traveled on a recent five city tour rallying teachers and state employees to fight to raise taxes and “save” education. Whether this tactic will work to bring back her base or push independent voters away is a fairly substantial risk; and one worth watching over the next few months.

Source: Civitas Institute: Click to View Polling Results

When you are a popular elected official and challenges exist, it is much easier to goto your base of support and ask for sacrafice from them in order to see you through the difficult times.  However, when your popularity is suspect and tough decisions are on the horizon, the last thing one should do is "stick it" to their base of support. 

When I was growing up a wise person once said to me "don't shit where you eat!"  Well, Governor Bev Perdue did just that when she asked her base to sacrafice their pay to rectify bad decisions made by our elected leaders in Raleigh.  This action was not innovative and was done out of political expediency as cutting state employee and teacher pay is popular with the public at large.

We have said many times on this blog that Governor Perdue's problem is her lack of innovation and her inability to appear sincere as a leader.  Her recent "save education" tour of North Carolina is another example of this as people can see through her strategy of using our children as a way to increase taxes in the state.

We need new ideas in these tough economic times and Beverly Perdue is NOT prepared to lead.  People are tired of the same ole, same ole from our new governor and the proof is in the numbers!

        

Obviously, Buenos Aires isn't the best place to be if you want to run South Carolina. But for the crowded field of 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls, it's looking more and more like South Carolina isn't the best place to be, either.

That could boost the fortunes of Rep. J. Gresham Barrett, who publicly has avoided the palace intrigue in Columbia in the wake of Gov. Mark Sanford confessing that he had an affair with an Argentinian woman.

"If you exist, you're getting dirt on you. It's filthy. There is so much destruction. At the end of the day it will be the last man standing," said a South Carolina Republican strategist who has not taken sides in the 2010 gubernatorial race. "So maybe Gresham Barrett is the winner."

Source: CQ Politics

The GOP candidates to succeed Governor Sanford must maintain their focus on issues that concern the people of South Carolina.  Calling for Sanford to resign does not change the facts on the ground, South Carolina is suffering from a deep recession and a lack of leadership.

The CQ article focuses on the GOP candidates and which came out on top because of the governor's affair.  I would argue that the Democratic Party of South Carolina came out on top.  Scandal added to economic issues plus South Carolina's lack of modernization creates a recipe ripe for party change come 2010.

        

The Jacksonian will be out of the blogosphere beginning Monday June 22 through Sunday June 28 due to a much needed vacation.  We will not post, comment, tweet, or discuss politics for the next seven days. 

You are more than welcome to post your comments and thoughts to the blog in the coming days.  Please check back Monday, June 29 for new posts and updates!

Best Wishes and Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there!

        

The weekly report on the state of Southern politics is back by popular demand. Have a great week! Happy Fathers Day.<< MORE >>

This morning, my inbox contained a reply to yesterday's post on the 2010 North Carolina Senate race.  It appears that an NC Republican who identifies himself as J. Willis took issue with my assessment of the race as a "safe Republican" seat at the present moment.

Willis writes that Tar Heel voters of all political perspectives are blaming Republicans for the current economic crisis and this will carryover into the 2010 election by taking Burr or of the picture in North Carolina.

I do not dismiss the posters thoughts, I just want to restate that at the present time with NO announced Democrat and the historical trend of the party-in-power losing seats in the mid-term election, it is extremely difficult to see Senator Burr losing next fall.  However, as I said in yesterday's post, once a Democrat(s) announce, it will be much easier to assess the race and offer a REAL prediction as to the state of the Senate race.

In the meantime, J.Willis left his blog address, Republicans Against Burr, for me to view.  I recommend this blog to y'all.  I think good Democrats will enjoy the material.  

Mr. Willis, why don't you quit the Republican Party and join us Democrats?  I would be interested as to why you want to remain with a party who you state has caused so much harm to our free enterprise system?

        

North Carolina (Republican-controlled): There's not much reliable polling on this race but Sen. Richard Burr (R) sure is acting nervous. His decision to release fragments of his internal polling the poll was not, in fact, released by Burr's campaign -- including a head to head matchup against Secretary of State Elaine Marshall (D) who has given only the vaguest hints of a candidacy -- seems like an odd move. Democrats, however, still don't have a candidate although Rep. Mike McIntyre appears in interested and would give the party a credible alternative. (Previous ranking: 10) Source: Washington Post, The Fix

Senator Richard Burr is proceeding like any incumbent who is serious about wanting to be re-elected.  He is running scared and actively seeking a network of support throughtou the state.  Burr learned from the 2008 election cycle and the mistakes of former Senator Elizabeth Dole. 

This Senate race is strikingly similar as Democrats struggle to find a candidate.  The big difference from 2008 is that Burr appears more interested in local developments across the Tar Heel state which will serve him well come 2010.

In my heart, I would like to write this seat as is in play, but my political gut tells me Burr holds the advantage.  I rate this seat as safe Republican because Burr will not make the same mistakes as Dole in 2008.  He is a seasoned politico and will have a better organization to campaign for him as the cycle continues. 

Until Democrats officially announce their intentions and the party nominates a candidate, it is extremely difficult to handicap this race.  I will update as this election cycle develops.

        

Summer has arrived early in eastern North Carolina. On this blistering hot morning, I have collected 10 articles for you to read for the weekend. I hope you enjoy the selection. Have a great weekend and to all the dads out there, Happy Fathers Day!<< MORE >>

In a recent update from Lt. Governor Walter Dalton, the following statements were released.  Lt. Governor Walter Dalton is the most forward thinking individual within our state government and should be commended for his efforts to bring economic growth to every corner of the Tar Heel State. 

The N.C. House passed its version of the budget early Saturday.  The House version includes more than $2 billion in cuts and a $780 million revenue package to mitigate some of the worst cuts to education and other critical programs.  House and Senate leaders will now go to conference to work out the differences in the two legislative bodies’ budgets.>>

North Carolina is facing extremely difficult economic times, brought on by federal credit policies and a global economic downturn.  The State is experiencing budget shortfalls of more than $4 billion, levels not seen since the Great Depression, leaving Governor Perdue and state legislators with tough choices as they balance the budget.>>

While Lt. Gov. Dalton’s Small Business Assistance Fund was not included in the House budget, he will continue to work with legislators to keep funding in the final budget.  The Small Business Assistance Fund would provide low-interest loans and loan guarantees to small businesses to help them survive the economic downturn.  The fund received $3 million in the Senate’s version of the budget and will, therefore, be discussed in the budget conference.  >>

To help pass the Small Business Assistance Fund into law and get help flowing to small businesses, please contact your legislators.  You can locate your representatives at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html. >>

Small businesses that need immediate help should contact the following sources for assistance:>>

Small Business & Technology Development Center>>

http://www.sbtdc.org/ >>

919.715.7272>>

800.258.0862 > >

Small Business Administration>>

http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/nc/index.html >>

 (704) 344-6563  > >

NC Institute of Minority Economic Development>>

http://www.ncimed.com/

919.956.8889
 
Lt. Gov. Dalton continues to meet with small businesses across the state about their needs and concerns in the current economic climate.  To read the most recent articles about these meetings, please visit  http://www.ltgov.state.nc.us/. 

        

The new chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party is Tom Fetzer. 

        

Many of you have emailed me and asked why I stopped doing the weekend collection of articles from our nation's newspapers. I have heard your suggestions and will now begin posting a series of articles each weekend for your review. I hope you will enjoy the articles I have posted today. Have a great weekend!<< MORE >>

Ever wonder exactly how your state legislature works? How ideas become bills that get filed, what gets discussed, how committees work and how some of those bills finally become law? And why some will never see the light of day?

Becki Gray, JLF's Vice President for Outreach, monitors the General Assembly and knows the answers to these questions and much more. Becki will join us for the upcoming Freedom Club meetings and is ready to tell all.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:30 p.m.
MEZ Restaurant, Durham, N.C.

Thursday, June 18, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
Braswell Memorial Library,
727 North Grace Street, Rocky Mount, N.C.

Thursday, June 25, 2009 6:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn Asheville, Biltmore West, Asheville, N.C.

        

American for Prosperity-North Carolina is urging state lawmakers to resist passing the 784 million dollar revenue package that is to begin debate on the floor of the NC House today by running radio ads in the Triangle, Wilmington, and New Bern/Jacksonville media markets.  The ads appear to target conservative Democrats in districts where Republican performance is at its highest.

The ads ask listeners to view AFP-NC's tax action website, www.notaxhike.com, where Dallas Woodhouse state director for AFP-NC writes of the tax increase and the impact on folks like himself, "new six-percent sales tax on everything I do online, plus home repairs, car repairs, extended warranties, or even a haircut."

Listen to the ad:  AFP-NC Ad

        

The North Carolina House Finance Committee adopted a $784 million tax package yesterday designed to soften the deep budget cuts proposed by appropriation subcommittees during the past month.  Before the final package was approved, House Finance Committee members shaved $154 million from the proposed $940 million tax plan by removing "sin" taxes on beer, wine and cigarettes.

"We got folks who are barely scrimping by as it is. Beer may be their only entertainment," said Rep. Bill Faison, an Orange County Democrat who proposed removing beer from the tax package.


For the citizens of our state who depend on beer for entertainment, I am thrilled that Bill Faison has protected their happiness in order to sacrafice the millions in our state who are reliant on government to provide safety, security, and opportunity.  Bill Faison, we honor your service by making you a "Real Man of Genious!"  So next time you crack open a cold one, remeber Bill Faison is looking out for you!


Come on folks, if beer is your only source of entertainment you have issues.  If you are just getting by, then you need to save your money and not spend it on beer or cigarettes.  I do not mean to be preachy and condescending to the folks Faison is referencing in his comments, but why not pick up a book, go excersie, or perhaps volunteer in your community. 

It is these type of assanying comments that drive me nuts and make me lose respect for our elected leadership.  Though I do not like tax increases, taxes on alcohol and tobacco products are logical ways to increase revenue.  I prefer this type of tax increase over tax increases on necessary goods and services because NO person needs alcohol and tobacco to survive. 

 

        

The recent uncovering of cronyism and tax dollar waste associated with North Carolina State Uniuversity is disappointing.  The total reckless disregard for ethical standards is a blemish on a well regarded higher institution of learning in the nation and will take time to repair the damage done.

The one thing we have learned is that our public university system is filled with the same back room politics that generally is done within government on a daily basis.  I am confident in stating that I believe the incidents at NC State are not isolated to just this one institution.  I bet that if probed deeper, we would find more such incidents at our other insititutions of higher learning in the state.

In a time where budgets are scrutinized down to the last penny, incidents like NC State reveal a need for better oversight of public institutions.  I believe it is necessary for the NC General Assembly to appoint a special committee to investigate the entire UNC system for fraud and abuse.

The general assembly owes it to the public to ensure the tax payers that their money is being spent on the appropriated line-items. 

        

North Carolina lawmakers return to Raleigh today with much attention focused on the House of Representatives and their version of the budget for the next fiscal year.  Over the weekend, budget writers met to discuss proposed cuts to state services and weigh the option of tax increases to make up additional revenue.

We do not advocate raising taxes in the middle of a recession, but The Jacksonian has put together the following numbers based on projections from the North Carolina Department of Revenue as to the impact of tax increases in sales and income:

A halfpenny increase on the sales tax - most consumers would pay 7.25 percent instead of 6.75 percent - would increase revenues more than $400 million annually. A half-percent increase in the top individual income tax rate - from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent - would raise up to $140 million.