Washington hangs on every word uttered during Sunday shows like NBC’s “Meet the Press,” ABC’s “This Week” and CBS’s “Face the Nation.” North Carolina doesn’t quite have an exact equivalent. But the state has plenty of TV and radio programs that command the attention of political insiders. These shows regularly bring in high-profile guests, and … Read more
Lobbyists help shape policy, represent interests and keep people informed. Longleaf Politics wants to recognize the most powerful and influential lobbyists in the business. We received more than three dozen nominations and chose the 20 most-cited for the final vote. Scores of Longleaf Politics readers submitted their votes for the top 10. Here they are: … Read more
Contrary to popular belief, North Carolina’s governor isn’t completely powerless. The Old North State might have a relatively weak governor compared with other states, but the position does still have some authority. [Longleaf story: Everything you need to know about North Carolina’s governor] The North Carolina Constitution currently delegates 22 powers to the office of the … Read more
There’s a famous quote attributed to Herbert O’Keefe, the 1950s-era editor of The Raleigh Times: “No man has ever been elected governor of North Carolina without eating more barbecue than was good for him.” While I disagree with the premise that there’s such a thing as too much barbecue, the point stands: Food and politics … Read more
Twitter isn’t real life. But in the world of politics, it may as well be. North Carolina has a robust contingent of folks who pull back the curtain on state politics 280 characters at a time and give an in-the-moment perspective you can’t get anywhere else. If you’re looking to wade into the North Carolina … Read more