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This week we learn about the FBI conducting an inquiry into the business dealings of 9th District Congressman Robert Pittenger. Host Donna Martinez gets the details from Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson, who says Pittenger confirmed the inquiry to Charlotte media but says he’s not sure why questions are being asked about the real estate operation he left upon taking his seat in Congress in 2013. Then the two discuss the role Congressman Patrick McHenry is playing in the presidential campaign of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and buzz that former state legislator Deborah Ross is in discussions about a potential run against Sen. Richard Burr. Henderson also updates Martinez on the race for Lt. Governor, as at least one more Democrat considers seeking the party’s nomination to challenge Republican Dan Forest. Then Martinez talks with Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer about the presidential race. With media focusing on the Republicans and the first major televised debate, what does it all mean for Democrats? At least four Democrats are now in the race for the party’s nomination, with former Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders drawing thousands to his rallies, turning on its head the conventional wisdom about a Clinton cakewalk to the nomination. Bitzer assesses the challenge Clinton faces in fending off Sanders, a self-identified socialist with appeal to the party’s left wing, and Jim Webb, Lincoln Chafee and Martin O’Malley, who appeal to centrist and pro-business Democrats.