Free Republic

A Republican congressman who represents the Charlotte area said Thursday that people are protesting in the city because they “hate white people.” U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, whose district includes parts of Charlotte and its suburbs, was asked by an interviewer for Britain’s “BBC Newsnight” what grievance the protesters have. In the video posted online Thursday, Pittenger responded: “The grievance in their mind is — the animus, the anger — they hate white people because white people are successful and they're not.” He also complained that the government has spent too much on welfare programs that ultimately hold people back. He...

He may not be the next president, but he’s a savior to at least one. Former Arkanas Gov. Mike Huckabee performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking Robert Pittenger during Saturday’s North Carolina GOP convention breakfast, Huckabee’s former campaign spokeswoman confirmed Sunday. Huckabee was the keynote speaker at the convention, and was sitting next to the Pittenger, who’s running for the lieutenant governor’s seat, when Pittenger began choking. Huckabee noticed Pittenger couldn’t breathe and took action, giving Pittenger the heave in the chest needed to dislodge the offending food bit. “I’m glad that Mike was in the right place at...

The North Carolina State Republican Convention got quite exciting today — and it had nothing to do with politics.During a pre-event hospitality breakfast, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who was in attendance as the convention’s keynote speaker, was sitting next to North Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Robert Pittenger when the state senator began choking. Huckabee reportedly noticed Pittenger having difficulty breathing and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver.“I’m glad that Mike was in the right place at the right time and continued to lead by example,” Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Mike Campbell told The Palmetto Scoop. “We all...

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee put the squeeze on a politician at the North Carolina Republican Party convention, but in a good way. The former Arkansas governor performed the Heimlich maneuver on Robert Pittenger, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, at a lunch Saturday. Pittenger said he was laughing when he choked on some food. "I stood up and the governor came over and did the Heimlich and got the relief," Pittenger said. He said the food dislodged when Huckabee applied the trademark Heimlich squeeze to the midsection. Pittenger added, "In fact he called me in the...

February 4, 2005: FINDING RELIGION: Senate Rules Committee chair Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, ordered Christian Bibles and hymnals and a cross removed from the Legislative Building's nondenominational chapel, but was reversed by Senate leader Marc Basnight when the decision became public, The News & Observer reports. Rand, who is also the Senate majority leader, said the items' Christian emphasis is inappropriate in a public building used by people of different faiths. The small, mostly unadorned chapel off the rotunda between the House and Senate chambers is open to legislators, staff and visitors who wish to use it for prayer or reflection....

North Carolina General AssemblySenator Phil Berger, Office of the Republican Leader, North Carolina Senate 1121 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 733-5708 North Carolina Senate Republican Caucus NOTE: According the Rules of the Senate of North Carolina (2005), any Member, with the permission of the Presiding Officer, at the end of the days' calendared business, may address the Body for up to three minutes on a "moment of personal privilege." The only topics restricted are remarks about specific persons or about any specific piece of legislation. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, Senator Robert Pittenger asked and was given permission...