Free Republic

McCrory has large lead in new poll Republican Pat McCrory has a 10-point lead over Democrat Walter Dalton in the governor's race, according to a new poll. McCrory, the former Charlotte mayor lead Dalton, the lieutenant governor, by a 47-37 percent margin, according to a poll conducted for The Civitas Institute, a conservative advocacy group based in Raleigh. Barbara Howe, the Libertarian candidate had 7 percent. That is a widening of the race since the last Civitas Poll taken nearly a month ago, which had McCrory leading Dalton by a 46-44 percent margin with Howe at 7 percent. The spin:...

Newton drops defamation lawsuit By Janet Conner-Knox | The Wilson Times Republican State Sen. Buck Newton dropped his defamation and libel lawsuit today at noon. The lawsuit was against former Sen. A.B. Swindell and the North Carolina Democratic Party. Swindell and the N.C. Democratic Party have issued an apology to Newton in exchange for dropping the suit. Newton, who is vacationing at the moment, issued a statement: “I appreciate my name being cleared and finally getting an apology. It is past time to close the book on this kind of politics and put all of this behind us.” During the...

During his opening remarks at Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, President Obama got laughs when he told students that they inspire him. "I want you to know you're the reason that I ran for this office in the first place. You remind me what we are still fighting for," Obama said to tepid cheers. "You inspire me," Obama said to an audience that laughed at him.

Judge rules 'life' inmates should be released Posted: 26 minutes ago Updated: 15 minutes ago RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Beverly Perdue says she is "furious" over a Superior Court judge's ruling that two prison inmates sentenced to life in prison should be released. Judge Ripley Rand on Monday ruled in the cases of convicted murderers Alford Jones and Faye Brown, who were sentenced in the 1970s under an old law that defined a life sentence as 80 years. www.wral.com/news/local/story/6611093/

Nifong Issues Apology to Ex-Lacrosse Players Posted: 2 minutes ago Durham — The local prosecutor who charged three Duke lacrosse players with raping a stripper apologized Thursday, acknowledging the decision of state prosecutors to dismiss all charges against them was correct. "To the extent that I made judgments that ultimately proved to be incorrect, I apologize to the three students that were wrongly accused," Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong said in a statement.

ELECTIONS BOARD INVESTIGATION Wright has drawn attention in past Lawmaker has faced scrutiny on issues from waived ticket to taxes MARK JOHNSON mjohnson@charlotteobserver.com RALEIGH --Last July, a state trooper in Bladen County clocked N.C. Rep. Thomas Wright doing 72 mph in a 55 mph zone and issued the veteran legislator a ticket. Two months later, the charge was dismissed. "It was a courtesy dismissal because the legislature was in session," said Rex Gore, the district attorney for Bladen and surrounding counties. Gore, a Democrat, said his office also made a clerical error in initially handling the case, which factored into...

Wright won't say how he makes his living New disclosure form may give answers this week By Mark Schreiner and Gareth McGrath, mark.schreiner@starnewsonline.com Rep. Thomas Wright is not saying. Asked on Tuesday how he makes his living, the Democrat from Wilmington uttered an obscenity and suggested the question amounted to harassment. "You've probably drawn your own conclusions," he said, turning to walk away. "I thank you. I really thank you." Pressed further, he went into the inner office of his suite at the Legislative Office Building and then asked his legislative assistant to come inside. When she came out, she...

North Carolinians pay the following in State Gas Taxes (per gallon): North Carolina: 29.9 cents per gallon South Carolina: 16 cents per gallon Georgia: 7.5 cents per gallon Virginia: 17.5 cents per gallon Had enough? Many of you have gone to our Gas Tax Rally website (gastaxrally.com) and have signed up to attend the free rally to be held May 9th in downtown Raleigh. If you have not signed up, now is the time. Be a part of history on May 9th - together we can make a difference! May 9th is the first day of session - we will...

"Gas prices jump nearly 17 cents in U.S." -- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Gas prices are soaring - and so is the state gas tax! Want some good news? If we don't act soon our state gas tax will go up AGAIN in July! Just in time for your 4th of July travel plans. Response from our state politicians: Nothing! Many of you have gone to our Gas Tax Rally website (www.gastaxrally.com) and have signed up to attend the free rally to be held May 9th in downtown Raleigh. If you have not signed up, now is the time. Be a...

Get the details for our gas tax rally on May 9th at Gastaxrally.com and sign the petition at Stopthegastaxhike.com. Sign up and let your voice be heard. The summer driving season is almost here and once again gas prices are soaring. To add insult to injury, the state politicians will likely increase YOUR gas tax in July. While NC families are working longer and harder to pay these taxes, Speaker Black is asking for YOUR money to pay his legal fees. Have you had enough? North Carolinians pay the highest gas tax in the southeast, the 6th highest in the...

Headlines March 29, 2006 Be a part of history on May 9th! May 9th is the first day of the 2006 legislative session at the North Carolina General Assembly. All of your Legislators will be in Raleigh and so will we! That’s the day North Carolina Conservatives United will be having a STOP THE GAS TAX RALLY. 4:30 Craig Woolard Band starts playing 5:00 Barbeque dinners will be available 6:00 Program will begin with special guest speakers The rally will take place downtown at the Bicentennial Plaza, which is the pedestrian mall linking Jones and Edenton Streets in downtown Raleigh....

Be a part of history on May 9th! May 9th is the first day of the 2006 legislative session at the North Carolina General Assembly. All of your Legislators will be in Raleigh and so will we! That¡¦s the day North Carolina Conservatives United will be having a STOP THE GAS TAX RALLY. „« 4:30 Craig Woolard Band starts playing „« 5:00 Barbeque dinners will be available „« 6:00 Program will begin with special guest speakers The rally will take place downtown at the Bicentennial Plaza, which is the pedestrian mall linking Jones and Edenton Streets in downtown Raleigh. I...

Tell a friend about this petition AMERICANS FOR BETTER PUBLIC EDUCATION PETITION America's public education system is failing our children and making them less competitive in today's 21st Century global economy. Our public education system is a government run monopoly controlled by Teacher's Unions, bureaucrats, and political correctness. It's time America's parents reclaim ownership of public education from the government and its ruling class so every child has an opportunity to live the American dream. For in America, public education can be the great equalizer for our children. It's time to break down the government's monopoly of public education and...

The Tax Counselor by Chris Neeley 2/16/05 You better hide your wallet. The politicians are preparing to make another run at your money. Last week, Senate leader Marc Basnight announced a new hire for the Senate Finance Committee. The new employee, Sabra Faires, formerly the chief aide to House Speaker Pro Tem Richard Morgan and a former employee at the Department of Revenue, has been hired as a tax counselor. She will be paid -- listen closely -- $126,000. And what is Ms. Faires responsibility as a tax counselor in the State Senate? According to a Basnight aide, Ms. Faires...

Board Orders New Statewide Election For Ag Commissioner Republican Steve Troxler Plans To Appeal Board's Ruling POSTED: 11:47 am EST December 29, 2004 UPDATED: 12:26 pm EST December 29, 2004 RALEIGH, N.C. -- After nearly two months of court fights and wrangling over lost votes, the State Board of Elections on Wednesday ordered a new statewide election in the closely contested race for agriculture commissioner. The board voted 3-2 Wednesday to amend its earlier order, with the board's three Democrats voting in the majority. Republican Steve Troxler said the board's latest decision is part of partisan politics. "To me, it's...