High Court, Low Politics

By Gary Pearce | 2019-03-12

It’s one of the great all-time political ironies. Years of Republican legislators’ efforts to pick and pack North Carolina’s judiciary have led to a (wait for it) 6-1 Democratic majority and one of the most progressive Supreme Courts in our history. No wonder Senate Boss Phil Berger was in such a lather about the courts…

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Obama’s pickoff play

By Gary Pearce | 2016-03-17

President Obama’s Supreme Court move was brilliant. He put Senate Republicans in a box the very day they faced up to the prospect of a Trump electoral disaster in November. The Republicans can either confirm Merrick Garland, a mild and moderate choice by most accounts, or they can take their chances on the next President’s…

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Supreme Karma

By Gary Pearce | 2016-02-16

Here’s a bright-side scenario for Democrats: Because of Justice Scalia’s death and the resulting 4-4 Supreme Court tie. Democrats win big cases like redistricting in NC. Then President Obama nominates a replacement (or a series of them) that Republicans reject, solidifying their reputation as bitter partisans who are willing to hurt America so long as…

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