Change, long elusive, is finally here in N.C.

To understand the impact of what happened Tuesday, it's worth noting what didn't happen for so long in North Carolina.

Fight to regulate campaign funds scores a victory

The fight to regulate spending in state and federal elections has gone on so long it might as well be called the Thirty Years War -- except it's already longer than that and shows no sign of ending. Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the 1976 Buckley v. Valeo case that limits on what candidates can spend are unconstitutional restrictions on speech, states have struggled to deal with money in politics.

GOP ad the latest in N.C. to rely on race

State's politicians have sorry history of using approach to reach voters

"White People Wake Up," blared the campaign flier stuffed into some Eastern North Carolina newspapers that Thursday afternoon in 1950, just two days before the Democratic primary between U.S. Sen. Frank P. Graham and Raleigh lawyer Willis Smith.

Friday's media strategy is a model

As UNC system leader, he set tone that Easley's successor should follow

Mike Easley is surely sick and tired of getting knocked around in the press for the way his administration deals with the news media and handles requests for public information.

Easley digging out of hole he dug himself

With something like 280 days left in his eight-year run in the governorship, Mike Easley is so concerned about his relations with the news media that he has ordered his administration to cooperate more.

This year, N.C. has a primary of impact

North Carolina traditionally has had its doubts about the value of a presidential primary. When the General Assembly set up a presidential preference primary in 1972, Democratic leaders thought it might showcase former Gov. Terry Sanford, emblematic of the New South's crop of progressive leaders, against Alabama Gov. George Wallace.

Greensboro: Making its mark on history

Mishap in city was key in 1960 Nixon defeat

When Barack Obama spoke from the stage of Greensboro's War Memorial Auditorium the other day about his campaign for change, it reminded me of how often that historic city has figured in events that changed things.

A show we'd like to see: The legislature on TV

Sixteen years ago, the late N.C. Sen. Mary Seymour of Greensboro dropped a two-page bill in the hopper that could have given the state's residents a front-row seat for gavel-to-gavel televised coverage of legislative sessions.

Wright and wrong, but not race

The General Assembly has been slow to move against public officials accused of misconduct for the past century and a quarter. Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, may become the first to be removed since 1880 when the House reconvenes this week.

Stories behind the story on Wright

Ethics hearing shows need for more openness, spotlights a new leader

The House ethics committee's recommendation that Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, be expelled for ethics violations was the big news from last week's hearings. But three other things became crystal clear:

Gov. Easley's odd approach: Duck and cover

He dodges high-profile appearances that go with the governor's job

Here's the thing about Gov. Mike Easley: He is a talented, often charming politician with an extraordinary ability to communicate with people.

Huge change -- and no change

Old foes Helms, Castro are out, but U.S.-Cuba rancor goes on unabated

Jesse Helms finally got his wish last week. Cuban ruler Fidel Castro announced he was formally giving up his near-total power as president.

The new issue that's been around for years

N.C. can no longer ignore water shortage, creative ways to solve it

Some of the smartest folks in the world spent two days last week talking about energy at the 23rd annual Emerging Issue Forum. It was a smash hit. The place was filled to nearly overflowing. Hundreds more would have attended if there had been room. It was visionary stuff, exactly the thing that folks ought to be thinking about.