The Heat: Donald Trump’s case for four more years

Featured at CGTN

It was a long speech, lasting more than one hour.  US President Donald Trump promised to rebuild the economy, to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus and to end the protests around the country. But most of the time was devoted to attacking his Democratic rival.  After Trump’s speech, a fireworks display illuminated the night in Washington, closing out the Republican National Convention. The president is already in full campaign mode, hosting a rally in New Hampshire, Friday night. The election in the United States is scheduled for November 3rd.

Joining the panel:

Read the rest atCGTN
Aug302020 TAGS: , , , , , , ,

Democrats offer virtual vision for an inclusive America. Your turn, Republicans

Featured at Roll Call

It turns out the crowds, the balloons and confetti were merely froufrou, just window dressing. Stripped down, it was even easier for the themes of this week’s Democratic National Convention — and the party’s vision for the future — to break through.

The Democrats’ unity on display could be a bit ripe for parody, for sure, a little like seeing Sylvester and Tweety Bird declaring a temporary truce before the inevitable chase continues. The scenes of comity — Republicans crossing over to extol the character of Joe Biden, progressives vowing to work with moderates — would most certainly be replaced by the usual infighting and struggles for policy influence even, or especially, if Democrats win big in November. That’s the Democratic and (small “d” democratic) way.

Sometimes a “big tent” gets awfully crowded, and messy. And with Democrats, the mess can sometimes overwhelm the message or, as in 2016 when Bernie Sanders’ supporters were still complaining loudly on the convention floor, consume it.

But that oft-used expression, that diversity is America’s strength, so often mocked as cliché, still has the ability to provoke a sentimental misty eye if offered with sincerity. And when a loud segment of America obviously rejects it, captured on way too many angry viral videos — well, that’s when it becomes more important to protect the promise.

“Uniting America” has been the message of the Democratic National Convention and the party’s campaign, virtual and otherwise, moving into the fall. Democrats are betting the country is exhausted and pushed to the brink by challenges that an entertainer in chief is ill-equipped to handle.

Read the rest atRoll Call
Aug202020 TAGS: , , , , , , , , ,

Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Schools Draw Up COVID Plans; Business Reopenings Delayed Again

Featured at WFAE

Parents, students and teachers got the word they had been waiting on for weeks: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will begin the upcoming school year in the classroom then switch to all-remote learning.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said the state’s public school systems can reopen with a hybrid of in-person and remote teaching, while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and the state’s public school teachers are at odds over McMaster’s reopening plan for schools.

The reopening of North Carolina’s economy will stay in Phase 2 for the time being as coronavirus hospitalizations continue to set records. The head of the CDC, Robert Redfield, came to Charlotte to make the case for mask-wearing, saying that masks could “drive this epidemic to the ground” within two months.

For the first time since the financial crisis, Wells Fargo ended a quarter in the red, and said deep cuts – including layoffs – were on the table as a result.

The Local News Roundup has more on those and other stories.

GUEST HOST

Erik Spanberg, Charlotte Business Journal managing editor (@CBJSpanberg)

GUESTS

David Boraks, WFAE reporter (@davidboraks)

Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call columnist, WCCB News analyst (@mcurtisnc3)

Jonathan Lowe, Spectrum News 1 anchor and reporter (@JonathanUpdates)

Annie Ma, Charlotte Observer education reporter (@anniema15)

Read the rest atWFAE
Jul172020 TAGS: , , , , , , , ,

Mary C. Curtis: Pres. Trump Moving RNC From Charlotte

Featured at WCCB Rising

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Donald Trump says the Republican National Convention will be looking for another host for its convention in late August.

Governor Roy Cooper isn’t planning to ease social distancing guidelines for a full-scale convention.

Here’s our political contributor Mary C. Curtis with the latest on the controversy.

Read the rest atWCCB Rising
Jun032020 TAGS: , , , , , , , ,

Mary C. Curtis: Pres. Trump Demands Answer From Cooper on RNC

Featured at WCCB Rising

CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump says governor Roy Cooper has about a week to decide on whether the Republican National Convention can be at full capacity in August.

Gov. Cooper says he supports having the convention in North Carolina but he has to put the health and safety of citizens first.

Here’s our political contributor Mary C. Curtis.

Read the rest atWCCB Rising
May272020 TAGS: , , , , , , , , ,

Opinion: Charlotte Gambles on the Convention Las Vegas Didn’t Want

Featured at Roll Call

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vi Lyles, the Democratic mayor of the largest city in North Carolina, said championing a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention was likely “the most difficult decision of my career.”

As word spread this week that Republicans have chosen Charlotte over other candidates, with a formal announcement due Friday, it’s almost certain the event will be one of the city’s biggest tests.

Read the rest atRoll Call
Jul192018 TAGS: , , , , , , ,