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People In Politics
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Friday, 12 August 2011 23:00 |
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Both of North Carolina’s major political parties are raking in the dough. Jonathan Kappler of the North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation joins host Donna Martinez to break down the fundraising numbers for the first half of 2011 and explain why the totals show state Democrats don’t hold their typical, historical lead over Republicans. Kappler also discusses the controversial new boundaries for congressional districts and details the changes in voter registration in each district that lead critics to say they’re drawn for Republican advantage rather than for greater competition. Then NC Policy Watch reporter Sarah Ovaska joins Martinez to discuss her investigate reporting of Rep. Stephen LaRoque’s business dealings with two nonprofit economic development groups. That’s followed by Rep. LaRoque’s comments about Ovaska’s story, made recently to SGRToday.com’s Josh Ellis. Next we hear brief comments from former Gov. Jim Hunt about the state’s progress – comments he made this week at the N.C. Museum of History’s get-together for the release of some of his gubernatorial papers. We also hear Gov. Perdue’s view of the Hunt legacy. Josh Ellis also reports on the possible addition of casino gambling in western North Carolina, and Rick Martinez, news director of SGRToday.com, the N.C. News Network, and NewsRadio 680 WPTF in Raleigh analyzes the political implications of the potential gambling expansion. And finally, Ran Coble of the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research discusses the role of the growing “unaffiliated” voter in our state. Nearly one out of five registered voters is now “unaffiliated.” Coble also comments on likely legal challenges to redistricting maps from Democrats.
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