Free Republic

NC GOP Chief Of Staff, Strategist ResignsRALEIGH, N.C. -- Bill Peaslee, the state Republican Party's chief of staff and top political strategist since April 2001, resigned Monday, two weeks after the GOP's poor showing on Election Day both nationally and in North Carolina. It's the second departure within the party leadership this month. Chairman Ferrell Blount confirmed his resignation before the polls closed election night, saying he needed to step down to consider a run for statewide office in 2008.

1. How would you boost the state’s economy? 2. What needs to be done to protect our area from the threat of terrorism? 3. Should same-sex couples be allowed to get married or form civil unions? 4. Do you have a plan to lower health care costs? 5. How does your position on taxes differ from your Republican opponents? 6. Where do you stand on the abortion issue? 7. Why should voters choose you in the primary? Fern's Response to Channel 14 questionnaire: News 14 Carolina Patrick's News 14 Carolina Dan Barrett's News 14 Carolina Vinroot's News 14 Carolina Cobey's...

Republican Bill Cobey plans to give his good friend, retired U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a starring role in his campaign for governor. Cobey, who has already received Helms' endorsement, on Thursday unveiled a television ad featuring the 5-term senator and conservative icon. The humorous ad features Helms praising a self-effacing Cobey. At a news conference, Cobey said Helms' backing means more than most endorsements, which typically carry little weight with voters. "Sen. Helms is the exception to the rule. He is a man people trust," the former congressman and state Republican Party chairman said. Cobey enters the race for the...

Vinroot campaign gets off to a sluggish start Fund raising lags, but poll looks promising MARK JOHNSON Raleigh Bureau RALEIGH - Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot heads into his third campaign for governor with at least a couple of advantages over his competitors for the Republican nomination, but a lot less money. Vinroot raised $16,300 during the first six months of the year and had $24,000 on hand, the least amount of money among the four Republican candidates whose campaign finance reports were filed last week. N.C. Senate Republican leader Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington raised more than 30 times that...

Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2003 Candidate Cobey Former N.C. Republican chair recruits himself to run State Republican Chairman Bill Cobey's decision to resign his post Monday to run for the GOP nomination for governor next year was a telling moment in his party's hopes of taking over the top post in North Carolina government. It reflects what some rank-and-file Republicans have been thinking about for months: The party has a good chance of making major gains in the 2004 elections, but it needs a strong candidate to challenge Democratic Gov. Mike Easley. Mr. Cobey's decision to resign and run,...

Press conference on Newschannel 14. Bill Cobey Resigns as Chairman of NCGOP. Will run for Governor.

GOP smells victory in 2002 By ROB CHRISTENSEN, Staff Writer NEW BERN - The Guilford County Republican Party, anticipating a strong showing at the polls in November, already has reserved a room for an election-night victory celebration at the Koury Convention Center. "I'm excited," said Marcus Kindley, a 47-year old stockbroker who is also the Guilford County GOP chairman. "I can't wait." The 500 Republicans gathered here for their annual two-day convention were in a giddy mood Saturday, assured that the political stars are in alignment for a robust Republican year. The latest omen was the decision by Superior Court...