Archives for January 2020

What kind of country do Americans want? Voters definitely have a choice

OPINION — “This is the diverse party. We are a diverse country. I am from a majority-minority state, California. So as far as I’m concerned, if we aren’t talking about race, dealing with race and actually addressing the problems of America today forthrightly and strongly, we’re not going to get the support of people, and we don’t deserve the support of people.”

That was presidential hopeful Tom Steyer, when I spoke with him recently, during his second stop through North Carolina in two weeks.

Yes, there are primary and caucus states after Iowa and New Hampshire. And Democratic candidates are realizing success in those two states is not necessarily destiny. That means appealing to the diverse voters who will have to make peace with the candidates and one another by November, and realizing that as the primaries move South, West and beyond, inequality is an essential part of the debate.

The Importance of North Carolina in the 2020 Race

CHARLOTTE, NC — We’re less than a week away from the Iowa caucuses and while much of the focus will be on the Hawkeye state, North Carolina also play a critical role in the 2020 race. Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis talks about why North Carolina matters.

 

Why North Carolina Matters In 2020

How competitive will North Carolina be in 2020? We talk about the presidential race, a tough battle for Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and the hyperpolarization of local politics in the state.

Host Jeremy Hobson is joined by Jeff Tiberii (@j_tibs), Capitol Bureau Chief at WUNC and Mary Curtis (@mcurtisnc3), columnist at Roll Call based in Charlotte.

POLITICAL WRAP: Defense Continues Opening Statements in Impeachment Trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The next phase of the impeachment trial is underway. President Trump’s defense team will resume their opening arguments Monday at 1:00pm.

The president’s legal team intends to dismantle charges the president abused his power and obstructed Congress.

The defense comes after Democrats spent three days laying out a detailed prosecution.

WCCB Charlotte Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in this week’s political wrap.

From Clinton to Trump, how U.S. lawmakers have changed their tune on impeachment

When Bill Clinton faced impeachment more than two decades ago, commentary from the Republican side of the aisle was very different than today’s trial against U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We see with this impeachment, when you compare it to the Clinton impeachment, that it seems to depend if it’s your guy in the hot seat,” said Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Roll Call, a website covering U.S. politics.

Senate Impeachment Trial

CHARLOTTE, NC —  The historic impeachment trial underway in Washington. Political contributor Mary C. Curtis talks about what to expect next.

POLITICAL WRAP: Presidential Candidates Attend “King Day at the Dome” in SC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Monday, hundreds are expected to gather on the South Carolina State House steps for the annual “King Day at the Dome.”

Six of the remaining 12 democratic presidential candidates are expected to attend the event.

That includes Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who re-arranged his schedule to attend, after facing criticism for initially saying he would attend an MLK event in South BendIndiana instead.

The South Carolina event is seen as a “must-stop” for democratic presidential candidates, hoping to compete in the Palmetto State.

Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Luke Kuechly Retires; No Raise For NC Teachers; Council Retreat

On this week’s Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup…

Shockwaves went through Panther fans around the city this week as Luke Kuechly, only 28 years old and a star Panther linebacker since his first season in the NFL 8 years ago, calls it quits.

This while many questions remain about the future of the Panthers, including the future of Cam Newton, just as Newton receives honors for his charity work in the Charlotte region.

There was no vote by state lawmakers in Raleigh this week about overriding Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the budget. The no-vote means North Carolina teachers did not get a raise. The General Assembly is now adjourned till late April.

And City Council held its annual retreat in Durham this week, which was to help the council outline their 2020 goals. Topics discussed included the budget, transportation, affordable housing and growth, among others. We’ll give you a recap.

Mike Collins is joined by local journalists to fill you in about those stories and much more on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.

Guests:

Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com and WCCB

David Boraks, reporter for WFAE 

Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV Reporter

Annie Ma, reporter for The Charlotte Observer

Cory Booker bows out, Ben Carson backs off fair housing and issues of race recede in America

OPINION — It doesn’t take a candidate of color on a debate stage to raise issues of justice and inequality. But that has been the way it has worked out, mostly.

For example, it was exhilarating for many when then-candidate Julián Castro said in a Democratic debate, “Police violence is also gun violence,” while naming Atatiana Jefferson, killed in her Fort Worth, Texas, home by a police officer who shot through the window without identifying himself. Castro’s words were an acknowledgment of the lived experiences of many in America. He has since dropped out of the race, as has California Sen. Kamala Harris, who chided her party for taking the support of black women for granted.

Takeaways from the Democratic Debate

CHARLOTTE, NC —  With the Iowa caucuses less than three weeks away, six of the democratic candidates battled it out on a debate stage Tuesday night. Political contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the biggest takeaways.