Free Republic

The Republican Governors Association planned to spend nearly $500,000 for television ads beginning Thursday in the state's three largest markets to help Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Ballantine, the Easley campaign said.The State Board of Elections voted 3-2 along party lines Thursday to block the ads.

Republican challenger Patrick Ballantine has pulled out of his only scheduled debate with Gov. Mike Easley, citing Easley's unwillingness to commit to any other forums. (snip) The N.C. Association of Broadcasters tried to work out a statewide debate but pulled its offer to organize a forum this week. "The governor kept giving us obstacles as to why he did not wish to accept our proposal for a debate," said Clay Milstead, who chairs the broadcast group's debate committee and works for WCTI-TV in New Bern. (snip) "We told them we didn't have to do it that way, that we were...

Raleigh,NC-In a slap to Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, a state association representing more than 50,000 state employees and retirees is endorsing a Republican for governor for the first time.

RALEIGH,N.C. -- Richard Vinroot announced Thursday afternoon that he will not call for a runoff in the GOP Gubernatorial election, thus handing the Republican nomination to primary winner Patrick Ballantine.

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...

Posted on Sun, Jun. 01, 2003 Candidate's big splash leaves his rivals cold GOP state convention provides the stage for one-upmanship JIM MORRILL Staff Writer Republican state Sen. Patrick Ballantine launched his race for governor Saturday with a splashy kick-off that left some rivals calling foul. The Senate minority leader from Wilmington followed three other candidates to the stage at the party's state convention at the Charlotte Convention Center. Each had been given five minutes. As Ballantine was introduced, the ballroom lights darkened and a four-minute infomercial began on a huge screen. The MTV-like video, from the same Hollywood producer...