Southern Politics

November 21, 2013 - The Civitas Institute, a think tank founded and funded by GOP mega-donor and NC budget director Art Pope, demanded emails and other records from UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity Director Gene Nichol shortly after he published a column blasting the McCrory administration. Is this yet another fishing expedition aimed at harassing an outspoken academic?

November 15, 2013 - From John C. Calhoun to Strom Thurmond, Southern politicians have shown disdain for the federal government in their efforts to protect the interests of the region's business and political elite.

November 6, 2013 - As the pundits parse the outcome of this week's important election in Virginia, a few things are already clear: the youth vote matters, and it does not favor the tea party.

October 25, 2013 - In an interview with The Daily Show about North Carolina's restrictive new voting law, the Republican Party precinct chair made a number of racially charged remarks. The GOP scrambled to distance itself from him, but his ideas about the law follow the party line.

October 25, 2013 - Saying they hope to ease the pain from the federal government shutdown, Gov. Pat McCrory this week announced he was sending turnip greens from the state prison farm to food banks, while state budget director Art Pope's foundation said it would contribute $185,000 to various charities. But can such alms-giving make up for policies that weaken public assistance programs?

October 21, 2013 - The assault on labor in the region is becoming increasingly war-like, but it's not getting much attention from the mainstream media.

October 18, 2013 - The special election for Louisiana's impoverished 5th congressional district is set for Oct. 19, and Democrats are trying to turn it into the Democratic district it appears to be on paper -- and save the Affordable Care Act from continued assault from the right.