Katy's Conservative Corner

Presidential Primary Process Violates the Constitution and Voting Rights Act

Before another presidential primary season is behind us, let’s take a hard look at what just happened.

No doubt you think you’ve heard it all by now, but if you’re patient, I might have something original for you.

You see, I think the whole process was illegal.

No. This isn't about Senator McCain. That's another story for another time.

I’m not fond of changing the rules in the middle of the game, and I’m not suggesting the results be tossed out.

It’s not because it’s too late. The presidential primary results certainly could be tossed out by a federal court if the right lawyers and clients – not necessarily the most powerful – but people strong enough to prevail upon the right court with some pretty good arguments with a lawsuit that could result in an injunction, forcing the States and the big national political parties to start over and select their delegates in a way that doesn’t violate the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act and the vast body of Supreme Court decisions telling us what all of this body of law says about the "Right to Vote."

I know. This isn't a democracy, its a constitutional republic, and you've probably heard somewhere along the way of there being no explicit "Right to Vote" in our Constitution.

You might be surprised to learn the Supreme Court disagrees, in no uncertain terms. In the same decision they also ruled you should not be deprived of your "Right to Vote" because of where you live. If you live in North Carolina, that's exactly what has happened.

What I’m suggesting is it a good time to think about how the big national parties, once again, have used the states, and vice versa, in having created a kind of basketball tournament as a way of selecting our presidential nominees.

This is not about money, either. That's also another story for another time.

I'm suggesting is there is a federal lawsuit here to be taken up here - at the very least to serve as way to get some very serious questions answered by the Supreme Court, answers to real legal questions which would tell us if this ridiculous primary system is really legal.

I don’t think it was legal, and while I’m definitely not a lawyer, I do know just enough about voting rights law to be dangerous.

If you read through the rest of this, you might become "dangerous" too. A danger to a bad system.

Begin this examination as a citizen of North Carolina. By no means the only issue, but central to this hypothetical case, is that fact North Carolina has its presidential primary on May 6. That means I will have no say about who, among the more than twenty capable candidates who were running for president during the first week of January, will be the nominee of my Party next November.

Now I may think that’s wrong, to be sure, but I also think it was illegal.

Examining this issue dispassionately, other issues crop up; questions that are overdue for answers, if I’m reading my Constitution and federal case law correctly.

Oh, and by the way, this isn’t about the Electoral College either, which seems to be what always comes to mind when I've discussed this with other adults.

Set aside the Electoral College for a moment, particularly the “Interstate Pact” idea you may have heard about, and the state Senate bill that would divide up North Carolina’s 15 Electoral College votes; 2 to the national candidate who wins the statewide vote, 13 each to the national candidates who win in each of North Carolina’s congressional districts.

That first idea requires approval of Congress to be constitutional, though some General Assembly Democrats are rumored to be supporting the interstate pact idea, despite some loud opposition, but only for 2012 and beyond.

The Interstate Pact would surrender all of North Carolina’s Electoral Votes to whoever wins the unofficial national popular vote, and would only become effective when a majority of the state join. So far, only two States have joined, though the Constitution forbids the States from creating such any such pact when it serves to the detriment of any State refuses to join (without the approval of Congress, that is).

That second idea has a better chance of passing here in North Carolina. State Senate Bill 353 stalled just a few hours before it was calendared for final passage back on July 30, during the very last days of the 2007 session of the current General Assembly, but not before Democrat House and Senate leaders barreled the bill through first the state Senate and then the state House, along Party lines and after cutting off debate.

Dividing up North Carolina’s Electoral College vote in this way may not be popular but it wouldn’t be illegal. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean, it’s been reported, personally prevailed upon North Carolina’s Democrat legislative leaders to send that bill back to a House committee at the last minute. The DNC feared the same idea supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) might then have passed California’s State Assembly and prevented their presidential nominee from taking California’s 47 “winner take all” Electoral Votes in November.

(For all the indignation from Democrats about Vice President Gore losing the Electoral College vote, while winning a plurality of the national popular vote in 2000, it’s been interesting to witness how almost none of them, with the notable and brief exception of Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton, made a serious effort to amend the Constitution to elect the president by popular vote.

Instead, by pushing one or both of these two ideas that are new to North Carolina and other states, under the radar, Democrats have been working to make an end run around the more "difficult" process of amending our Constitution.

But forgive me. I have asked you to set aside the Electoral College for a moment, and I guess I couldn't leave it alone myself. This is about the presidential primary system, why I think it is illegal and why I want the courts to answer some serious questions raised by the use of such a ridiculous system.)

As 2008's presidential primary season draw to a close a lot of voters are wondering “what happened” and many more are shaking their heads disappointedly.

There’s been no end to the Monday Morning Quarterback-talking heads, each with golden hindsight, knowing results of many autopsies performed on so many fallen candidates who can now criticize freely without fear of contradiction.

Judge Rules Wright by Joel Raupe

One of two legislative ethics committees will begin hearing from witnesses, Monday, as deliberations continue over a single question: Is Thomas Wright "eligible" to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives? North Carolina's Constitution gives both the N.C. House and Senate the right to determine "the eligibility of its own Members."

In the past, courts have interpreted the clause broadly, daring not to trespass over the "separation of powers." This pattern was held up in Wake County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon as committee chairman Rep. Rick Glazer (D-Cumberland) and co-chairman Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam (R-Wake) looked on. Rep. Wright, who faces criminal trial in Wake County in mid April, had filed suit seeking to enjoin Ethics Committee hearings from continuing their deliberations Monday and claiming reports of what is said and revealed in those hearings would decreased his likelihood of receiving a fair trial.

Wright has also filed for re-election, though the State Board of Elections had previously suspended activity by his campaign committee.

The court ruled against Wright, saying Rep. Wright had sufficient constitutional protections and, regardless, the courts had no authority to direct another branch of government in the performance of Legislative constitutional prerogatives.

Unlike the criminal trial, the House select ethics committee can only recommend whether Wright be declared "ineligible" to serve or not. If the committee ultimately determines Wright not to eligible, they may recommend that he then be expelled.

Some believe Wright may face censure, as some other Members of the House have in the past. Speaker Joe Hackney (D-Orange) has asked for Wright's resignation, which would instantly put an end to the House proceedings, though the criminal trial would continue. If Wright is found guilty in the criminal matters referred to the courts by the State Board of Elections and in a trial sought by Wake County prosecutor Colin Willoughby, he would become a felon and would automatically become ineligible for re-election.

Regardless of the outcome, if re-elected Wright might well be refused a seat at the beginning of the 2009 General Assembly next January.

2 Republicans Line Up for Chance to Face Alice Underhill

Eastern NC Republicans apparently feel that Alice Graham Underhill is so beatable, that two of them have filed for the chance to take her on.  Norman Sanderson of Arapahoe and Craven County Commissioner Renee Sisk face off in the Republican primary on May 6th.

Your blogger grew up in Trent Woods, just outside New Bern, and always knew Rep. Underhill as simply "Mrs. Underhill" or "Alice", and not "Alice GRAHAM UNDERHILL".

KCC never even realized that Underhill was the daughter of the late Jim Graham until Underhill filed for election to the NC House as Alice GRAHAM Underhill.  One check with your blogger's mother confirmed that it was all true. (Mothers do know everything, and that this was the same Alice Underhill.)

Apparently Underhill felt she couldn't stand on her own and was forced to trade on her famous family name!  Moves like that may seem like good political strategy, but actually shows a lack of confidence.

How convenient.  Instead of running on her own merits, Underhill joined the ranks of disgraced Agriculture Commissioner Meg SCOTT Phipps and newly filed judicial candidate J. Sam "Jimmy" Ervin, IV as trading on their fathers' and grandfathers' names.

KCC understands that it must be nice to be from such pedigreed families, but also notes that most voters appreciate elected officials who are self-made.  Maybe it is the Democrats who have a lock on strong family heritage. 

Conservatives tend to admire those who brought themselves up by their bootstraps and earned their positions in life.

Hat Tip: Under the Dome

Orr Wants Tougher Questions for McCrory

Gubernatorial candidate and former associate Justice, Bob Orr, is challenging Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory's experience and hints that no candidate gets tough enough questioning by the press.

On Sunday, February 23rd, Orr complained about the lack of quality questioning by the members of the North Carolina press but admits "that TV nightly news is only interested in 30 seconds (usually if a murder or wreck has taken place) and print journalism is undergoing a major transition to blogging and website journalism. And of course, reporters are not lawyers nor trained in the art of grilling politicians."

Orr added that he wished HE could question McCrory under oath:

For example if I could get Hiz Honor the Mayor under oath and on the witness stand, I've got lots of questions I'd like answered. Here's a general one that lends itself to some good follow up: "With all your talk about leadership, what have you really accomplished in your business and political career?" The answer I suspect would be "Lots." but that's when you start probing. Pat's a mid-level manager at Duke Energy after 30 plus years and it seems to me he's spent a lot of time being the mayor. But isn't the job of Mayor of Charlotte really more ceremonial with a City Manager form of government and an active Council that really makes the decisions?

Armor: I knew Nancy Pelosi when Nancy Pelosi Wasn't Cool

John Armor, who is challenging Dr. Carl Mumpower and Spence Campbell in the 11th Congressional District GOP primary, has a little story:

"I knew Nancy Pelosi when her name was D'Alesandro, and she was the daughter of one Baltimore Mayor and the sister of another.

"The D'Alesandro Machine in that City, then, was as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Under no circumstances would I ever vote to make someone as politically defective as Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House of Representatives. And that is just the first great difference between me and Heath Shuler."

Armor also told Katy's Conservative Corner that "I ran before and drew about 19% in the primary against (then Congressman) Charles Taylor."

Conservative Court of Appeals Judge Tyson Draws Inexperienced Democrat Challengers

Wednesday, Sam J. "Jimmy" Ervin, IV filed to run for the Court of Appeals seat held by Judge John Tyson of Fayetteville.  Judge Tyson has served North Carolina with grace and fairness and it is a shame that he must face two Democrats in a primary on May 6th.

Ervin, the grandson of the late "Senator Sam", hails from Morganton, is an attorney, a Democrat,  and currently serves on the NC Utilities Commission. 

According to sources from Morganton, Ervin goes by the nickname "Jimmy" or "Jim" and not by "Sam".  However, he filed to run as "Sam J. Ervin, IV", implying that he intends to play off his late grandfather's household name.  Sam J. Ervin, Jr was a US Senator from North Carolina who gained widespread fame during the Watergate hearings in the early 1970s.

Judge Tyson (left) has been crisscrossing the state for months, meeting voters, and speaking to groups about the judiciary. He has served North Carolina well during his tenure on the Court of Appeals and deserves to be returned to his seat. 

The new rules cause much confusion to voters and the oddity of having to run in a primary against a couple of Democrats is beneath this fine man.

Though North Carolina's judicial elections are officially non-partisan, candidates usually are not shy about letting their party affiliation be known. 

Previously, judges ran as part of the regular ballot, with party affiliation listed next to their names.  Because most voters assumed that Republicans would be tougher on crime, GOP candidates began to be elected to judgeships in droves.

This did not sit well with the Democrat-dominated North Carolina General Assembly.  They voted to change the rules to make the races more "fair" by eliminating party affiliation.  This reduced voter participation, as judicial races are listed at the very end of the ballot, and voters must now vote by name, not party and most voters have difficulty have trouble identifying who their party's judges are. Meanwhile, Democrats began running women against many of the Republicans, with the voter assumption being that women are "more compassionate".  The Democrat strategy has worked well, as Republicans have been defeated in the ensuing years. 

It's a shame that fewer voters make the decisions that are 2008's most important.  Our very democracy hinges on a fair judiciary.  Our state and local judicial elections are more important than any other, including that of the United States Presidency, which gets the lion's share of the attention.  While Beverly Purdue and Richard Moore are fighting it out like pre-schoolers, our jurists are holding our democracy together.

On May 6th, voters should cast aside either one of Judge John Tyson's Democrat challengers, Wake County District Court Judge Kristen Ruth, or the utilities commissioner whose only claim to fame is a seat on the utilities commission and a famous name.  Even if given the option of "voting for two people", your blogger urges all conservatives to vote for only one, Judge John Tyson.

Thomas Wright Files Suit to Stop House Hearings

Rep. Thomas Wright (D-New Hanover) has sued seeking a preliminary injunction and Temporary Restraining Order on the North Carolina House to prevent his being voted ineligible by his fellow Members of the House and removed from office.

An emergency hearing on Wright's new lawsuit will be held in Superior Court Thursday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 PM in Room 10D.

Rep. Rick Glazer (D-Cumberland) and members of at least two legislative ethics committees considering evidence against Wright have unanimously approved witness lists and will go forward with hearings despite Wright having obtained a brief delay earlier this week in the beginning of his criminal trial in Wake County.

Wright maintains hearing evidence by General Assembly ethics committees, shared with the legislature by Wake County prosecutor Colin Willoughby, in order to decide whether to remove him from office will "poison the jury pool," his attorney has said.

Matters to be decided in criminal court trial and what might eventually take place in the House Chamber, however, are two entirely different matters, the committee chairs agree.

The North Carolina Constitution leaves to the House and Senate individually the right to determine "the eligibility of its Members." While the actions of the ethics committee and its hearings, as directed by House Speaker Joe Hackney, Chairman Rick Glazer and co-chairman Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake) are to follow standard legal procedures in deliberation, in the end they can recommend only to the full House whether Wright should be removed from office.

The criminal court in Wake County will begin trial in April to determine whether Thomas Wright violated criminal law in various matters, such as a possible diversion of campaign funds for personal use, solicitation of contributions that also went unreported and other specific charges.

The special ethics committee in the House will begin hearing testimony from an approved list of witnesses in the matter of Thomas Wright's actions next week.

Unlike the criminal trial, the committee deliberations as to his eligibility to serve any longer as a Member of the House can be brought to an end immediately should Wright choose to resign.

Wright's lawyers, yesterday, insited he still intends to file for re-election in 2008 before the deadline Friday at Noon. Whether Wright files for office of not, however, his campaign committee cannot currently operate by order of the State Board of Elections, and he cannot legally solicit or accept contributions.

Should Wright eventually be determined "ineligible" to serve in the House by its full membership - something Speaker Hackney still hopes can be avoided by a decision to resign - and if he were to be found guilty of a felony, he would no longer be eligible to be on the 2008 ballot regardless of whether he files before Friday.

If the criminal matter remains unresolved, and Wright were allowed on the ballot and was re-elected by the House, the full House could vote not to seat him when the 2009 General Assembly convenes next January.

Hugh Webster Compares 13th District Race to D-Day

Former state Senator, Hugh Webster, announced his campaign to take on liberal Congressman Brad Miller yesterday at the North Carolina Republican Party headquarters.

The former six-term state senator compared this race to the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

"I have fought in uphill battles before...it's a long ways up that steep cliff.  But I don't plan to die trying."

The staunch conservative has often been compared to Senator "No" Jesse Helms as Webster was regularly the solo "No" vote in the NC Senate.  He was defeated for re-election in 2006, in an election that saw only 6% of conservatives voting.  Your blogger initiated Katy's Conservative Corner after two successive election cycles where Republicans and conservatives failed to turn out at the polls.

The accountant from Caswell County cited the need to scrap the tax code, protect the Constitution, and secure the nations borders, according to the Associated Press.

Video: Republican Don Yelton files for Buncombe County Race

Conservative activist, Don Yelton, has filed to run for a seat on the Buncombe County Commissioners.  Long a fixture in Western North Carolina politics, Yelton is known for his "e-mail activism" by which he shares his issues of interest with a vast electronic mailing list. 

He doesn't just e-mail either.   He is known for working with the conservative activist group, the Carolina Stompers, to educate Western North Carolina's citizens on conservative issues.  Like most conservatives, Yelton says he has been ridiculed for his actions, which Katy's Conservative Corner certainly appreciates.

Yelton issued the following statement to the press today:

"I am one of those Republicans that care and love Western North Carolina.  I believe in Open Government, Open Books, and just plain, tell it like it is or as it appears.  It appears to me that our leadership is not leadership but a tall slender tree that blows with the wind.

"...We need long range planning and specific goals based upon our needs, wants, wishes and not the current new whim. I was one of the original founders of Citizens for Change along with Peggy Bennett when "change" was not popular.  As a matter of fact we were ridiculed for the title.  Now everyone is talking about change, and who can bring about change.

"We need long term thinking, accountability, and constant citizen input to really solve our problems.   Cookie cutter solutions hammered out in Raleigh for the entire state will not address our problems here in Western North Carolina.

"We need our solutions to our problems and that is my goal for us in Buncombe County."

Last weekend, Yelton announced his candidacy in Asheville as recorded in the video below:

Video Credit: Thunderpig

For more information:

Citizen's Speak
cell 828-775-7212
home 828-645-7213

Mailing address

Committee to Elect Don Yelton
PO. Box 837
Weaverville, NC  28787   

Graham Files for Governor's Race

Republican gubernatorial candidate, Bill Graham, filed for office today.  Graham, who has never before held elective office, lead the popular campaign against the gas tax in 2005.  Graham states in his stump speeches that this saved North Carolina consumers over $159 million last year.

Graham, of Salisbury, is one of four seeking the GOP nomination.  The others are state Senator Fred Smith, former NC Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

Rocky Mount's Bullock Files for NC House, Hopes to Keep Seat for GOP

  A Rocky Mount City Councilman has filed to run for the State House seat vacated by Rep. Bill Daughtridge.  W.B. Bullock wants the GOP to keep the seat, that Daughtridge is giving up for his a run for State Treasurer.

Bullock told the Rocky Mount Telegram that such notables as Daughtridge, former state Rep. Gene Arnold, and House Minority leader Paul Stam all encouraged him to run for the seat.  Bullock, the only Republican in the race, will face one of two Democrats in November.

Hat Tip: North State Roads

NC Citizens Happy With Health Care, New Poll Says

North Carolina citizens are generally happy with their health care, according to the latest Decisionmaker Poll conducted by the Civitas Institute.

In a survey of 800 voters taken in late January, 65% approved of their health care.   46% said the quality of health care they receive in North Carolina is "good", while another 19% felt it is "excellent".  Meanwhile, only 33% disapproved of the quality of health care in North Carolina (23% said "only fair", and 10% ranked it "poor".)

When asked about health care concerns, the top two answers were "Cost of Health Insurance", 39%, and "Number of Poor Without Insurance", 32%.

The vast majority, 68%, disagreed wth the statement, "Health insurance is getting so expensive that government should raise taxes and pay for the healthcare of everybody."  Only 25% agreed.

Those surveyed included 400 Democrats, 296 Republicans, and 104 that identified themselves as "other".

Mumpower Picks Up Another Straw Poll Win, Has New Ad

In a surprising straw poll upset on Wednesday, Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower bested his challengers for his party's nomination for the 11th District Congressional seat.  In the final tally of the membership of the Henderson County Republican Men's Club, Mumpower received  24 of the 42 votes cast, a margin of over 50%.

Coming in second was long-time Hendersonville resident Spence Campbell, who has also served as the Chairman of the Henderson County Republican Party, with 15 votes.  Highlands attorney John Armor received 3 votes.

Henderson County's straw poll comes just four days after Mumpower won a similar poll that was taken at the Buncombe County annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner.  The Republican primary falls on May 6, when voters will choose who will run against freshman incumbent Heath Shuler, a Democrat.

"It is a humbling honor," said Mumpower after he heard the results. "I am grateful for the support from this group of distinguished and principle driven Republicans in Henderson County," he continued.  "I will continue to work hard to earn the respect and support of every voter in every county of the 11th District as we move forward to November," he said.

You can also check out Mumpower's new ad, below:

Hat Tip: Carolina Stompers

Editor's Note:  As with all straw polls, the results are not scientific and reflect only the values and choices of those voting at the event.  However, straw polls can be important among political groups in determining an issue or candidate's strength of support, but they are in no way the only measure of success.

Hood Produces Another Winner - Public Supports Real Education Reform: No Conservative in State Race For SPS

The Locke Foundation's John Hood has done it again.  This time, he's produced another winning report that  speaks for conservatives statewide - public school reform.  Yet sadly, there is no true conservative seeking the office of North Carolina Superintendent of Public Schools.

In the report, Hood explains why North Carolina's citizens support meaningful education reform.  He states his case with three major points: adopt meaningful tests, pay for performance, and empower parents via parental choice.

Please share his report with your friends and colleagues, as it is interesting and timely.

Sadly, Katy's Conservative Corner could not locate a conservative candidate running in this year's statewide election for Superintendent of Public Schools.  June Atkinson, in nearly four years on-the-job, has produced little and demonstrates a business-as-usual attitude.  Why she deserves another four years is beyond us.   A nice lady, yes, but an effective leader, no.

Her Democrat primary opponent, Eddie Davis, is inaccessible.  He apparently has no website, as none is listed on the State Democrat's List of Candidates.  Additionally, Google turned up listings for boxers and artists, not a candidate.

Republican candidate Joe Johnson seemed like a good match until he notified this blogger that he helped form an anti-gun group in the knee-jerk days following the Columbine tragedy.  We were all saddened by what happened then, but the crimes were committed by mentally ill people and Katy's Conservative Corner does not know what could have been done to prevent this tragedy, other than better parental oversight.  Sadly, those two killers would have gotten access to firearms, no matter what, unless their parents had intervened.

Your blogger is active both locally and nationally in the National Rifle Association, and found his group unneeded. Under North Carolina law, 18-year-olds cannot legally purchase handguns, and would-be criminals will never sign a pledge not to resolve their differences with firearms.  Even if they sign the pledge, they could still commit a crime.  Are we missing the point?

Johnson is a former public information officer with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department, and a well-liked one. But in a series of e-mail messages, the candidate came across as bureaucratic and not interested in issues that Hood discusses in his report. 

For the record, your blogger likes Johnson personally, and will support him in the Fall elections.  But she feels that the Republican Party and the conservative movement still have not found the right candidate that is conservative enough to follow the wishes of the majority of North Carolina voters.  Until then, perhaps we conservatives can all share our concerns with Joe and encourage him to support the initiatives that John Hood so clearly explains.

On Membership... by Joel Raupe

Honored as I am to have accepted, and having finally added TypePad to the list of circles I've joined, something put off for too long for an Internet Pioneer, I admit to having doubts about what, if anything, I can add that might be original to the conversation. I do so only after having been given the exceptional opportunity to contribute to the work at Katy Benningfield's Conservative Corner.

No jokes from me will you hear evoking Groucho Marx and his too-often quoted reluctance to "join any club that wants me for a member." Katy has proven herself tireless at steady, respectable work in tending the Garden of Truth, and especially in the either too acidic or too base and never balanced soil of North Carolina's dynamic politics. Few others, and I can name one or two at least, have managed to so easily garner an acceptance from me. An fewer others "in a New York Minute."

I qualify my humility at introducting myself here, quoting Dr. Lewis (who died the same day as that conservative cold warrior John F. Kennedy, in 1963 - when I was six years old) from his underappreciated The Screwtape Letters, where the teaching elder demon suggests to his student demon the following course of action as a next step in their eventually failed attempt to subvert "the patient."

"The patient," beloved Uncle Screwtape says, "has become humble. have you reminded him of this fact?"

So, "humbly," I introduce myself as Joel Raupe, a minor player, thought to be somewhat of a loose cannon and certainly unpredictable - a small volcano mistakenly thought dormant usually until the last minute, respected because, it is generally believed by those who don't know me as well as they should, "he's liable to do anything, at anytime, for no particular reason."

In other words, "a white guy," which would also be a mistake. I am "Native American" enough to qualify for federal protection, but would rather sing my Deathsong. Presently, I am gladly at the service of a fourth Republican Leader in the General Assembly since 1999. They were in order, Senator Patrick Ballantine, Senator James Forrester, Senator Phil Berger and Representative Paul "Skip" Stam, each different and above average, excellent friends and good people of better manners and schooling than myself.

I can never be President of the United States because, like Barry Goldwater, I was not born within the United States. I was born in the District of Columbia as part of what the almanacs say is the largest demographic defined by age, by "live births per annum," either before or since.

Whatever else might be said about me, as I pretend to be humble, can be discovered in snippets of truth and some bold lies, here and there, sprinkled around the Internet. But my interests, other than in the good reputation of Republican Members of the General Assembly, may be seen in my WebBlogs.

And the gloriously blank since my broken back-aborted and mercifully brief time as the nominee of my party as their candidate to serve as Representative of District 6 in the North Carolina House of Representatives -  http://www.joelraupe.com

I'm a friend of Senator Hugh Webster (R-Alamance), and I like to think a close one, since - like Senator David Hoyle (D-Gaston) and my own Senator Marc Basnight (D-Dare), we shared a house, the "safehaus" as we called it, for two and a half years near Cameron Village - and for its great size, affording us both the pleasure of rarely seeing one another in the morning, we have both confessed eternal gratitude.

That's another good reason for me to celebrate Katy's invitation to contribute to her Blog. The former Senator is scheduled to file and announce his candidacy for the U.S. Congress, at Noon today.

Katy had the exclusive story on his decision to offer himself for the citizens of North Carolina Congressional District 13, and I had the thrill of being able to confirm it by phone. (I have all his numbers. "Access" is a commodity on The Hill.)

I wish him luck, extend my gratitude to Katy once again, and invite you to be at North Carolina Republican Headquarters in Raleigh at "High Noon" to see whether Hugh has succeeded in developing the ability to give a good speech. No one I know looks better on television than he does in person, and I wish him success in all he does. We taxpayers need him. He actually reads the legislation before he votes, you see, and has a better eye for "unintended consequences" than most of the politicians I've ever met. (And I've known quite a few.)

See you there! And, thank you again, Katy. I hope I can live up to the genuine honor.

For More Informaton:

Your blogger is humbled by Joel's kind words.  Please check out his blogs at:

Things to Come - http://joelraupe.blogspot.com

Lunar Networks - http://lunarnetworks.blogspot.com

North State Roads - http://northstateroads.blogspot.com

Beyond the Pain Pill Prison - http://painpillprison.blogspot.com

You may send him e-mail at [email protected].

Spencer Gifts Accused of Selling Kids Porn, Triangle TV Station to Air Report Tuesday, 11 p.m.

Retailer, Spencer Gifts, has been accused of selling pornographic items to children.  Channel 11, WTVD (serving North Carolina's Triangle area) news with Larry Stogner will air the story Tuesday, Feb. 26th. 

Because of the graphic nature of the merchandise sold in Spencer's, WTVD attorney's were unable to give permission for the segment to air at 6:00PM and it will air on the 11:00PM news, instead.  Anti-porn activists are outraged at this, saying that if these items are available for purchase to anyone, the segment should be shown on TV news at the earlier hour. (If you do not live in the Triangle region, the segment will most likely be posted on the WTVD website.)

Conservatives argue that the items can be shown and sold to children at Southpoint, Northgate and Crabtree malls, in the Triangle area, and at 700 stores across the nation, but can't be shown on the Primetime news. 

Katy's Conservative Corner has posted a collage in the section below, of items that were photographed in Spencer Gifts, and are available to anyone with the money to purchase them.

KCC has always found Spencer Gifts personally offensive and has never purchased anything there.  When your blogger was a 7th grader in New Bern, she personally witnessed her classmates stocking up on the store's "novelties and "edgy gifts" that she considers tasteless and wrong.  Even back in the late 1970s, Spencer's had such items available to 13-year-olds.

WARNING: You may click below to view a potentially offensive photo collage.  Your blogger highly suggests that you do not view the collage if you are under 18 years old or if you might be disturbed at the items available.  These items were photographed at Spencer Gifts. 

KCC posts this collage for educational purposes only.

Civitas Institute Presents Annual Conservative Leadership Conference

It's almost that time again.  Please join Katy's Conservative Corner at the Third Annual Conservative Leadership Conference, presented by the John William Pope Civitas Institute.

This year's conference, includes a Gubernatorial Debate and Dinner on Friday, April 18, and a jam-packed conference on Saturday, April 19th. (Also, on Friday, April 19th, don't miss the Grassroots Activist School.)

This year, Civitas moves the conference to the center of North Carolina - the Greensboro Koury Center. Join conservatives from all over North Carolina to hear nationally known speakers, and enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship.  It's a great way to learn more, and share your knowledge with others.

You should make room reservations directly with the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons, 800-242-6556 or kourycenter.com. Reservations made by March 18 will receive the CLC discount rate of $122 per night. When making reservations use the code: Annual Conservative Leadership Conference.

Register for some or all of these events, here.  For more information, e-mail the Civitas Institutes's Jason Bennett.

Conference sponsorships are available.  Click here to learn more.   

Your blogger will report from Greensboro.  Watch Katy's Conservative Corner for updates, whether you are unable to make it, or you are there in person.  We'll also be posting video interviews of the event.  Stay tuned.

Mumpower - Strong Frontrunner in Buncombe Straw Poll

   Two-term Asheville City Councilman and former Vice-Mayor Carl Mumpower won the Congressional straw poll at Saturday's Buncombe County Republican Lincoln-Reagan Day dinner. 

Mumpower led the slate with a vote of 67, with Spence Campbell receiving 15 votes and John Armor capturing 3.  The three men are running for the GOP nomination to take on liberal Congressman Heath Shuler. 

Buncombe is the most heavily populated county in WNC, and is widely considered key to a successful candidacy for the 11th District Congressional seat.  "I appreciate the support of the good folks in attendance," said Mumpower.  "Their vote demonstrates that I have earned authentic conservative credentials in one of the most liberal cities in the State and that money will not necessarily buy political success in WNC. 

"In contrast to all of the other candidates running for the 11th District seat, I have said from day one that I won't be taking funds from political actions committees, unions, party elite , or other special interests.  I want to win or lose the 11th District race based on principles, competency, and hard work and not through money, voter manipulation and power politics as usual.  This important poll affirms I am on the right course and that the people who know me best trust me most."

Fred Smith Leads In New Poll

In a new poll conducted by Public Research, gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith leads his fellow GOP challengers in the Republican primary.

6,380 likely Republican primary voters were asked in a three-day, statewide survey, who they would vote for in the GOP Primary. The totals were:

Fred Smith - 33 %
Pat McCrory - 26 %
Bill Graham - 10 %
Bob Orr - 6 %
Undecided 25 %

In the same survey, 5,220 likely Republican Primary voters were asked who they would choose if Smith and McCrory were in a two-way race, Fred Smith again came out on top:

Fred Smith - 49.56 %
Pat McCrory - 34.87 %
Undecided - !5.57 %

Smith consultant, Karen Rotterman, commented that she thought "...this survey shows the impact of a tremendous statewide grassroots effort that Fred Smith has conducted since the beginning of his race for Governor."

Smith also won the Buncombe County GOP straw poll this weekend, with Orr coming in second place.  Charlotte mayor McCrory received zero votes.  This is interesting considering that voters in that area watch Charlotte TV stations and thus receive regular updates from Charlotte.  (Hat Tip: Under the Dome)

Video: Code Pink Wackos In Berkeley - Same Group Active in NC

Katy's Conservative Corner usually does not discuss "national" issues, and leaves them for the gazillions of other blogs and mainstream media to yack about. 

However, KCC came upon this video that should scare you.  It's not only a national issue, but also one that hits us here at home in North Carolina.

You may remember that KCC was on the scene in Smithfield when a North Carolina chapter of the communist Code Pink, attempted to march on the Johnston County airport. 

Code Pink feels that the American government "tortures" those fighting against us.  (Read more about the October event here, here, here, and here.)  A local leftist rag also tried to get your blogger to admit that she supports torture. 

These terrorist supporters are part of a national group that tried to run the United States Marines out of Berkeley, California recently in a much publicized incident. 

Sure, the Code Pinkos look like idiots in the following video, but their wacko "ideas" are actually catching on and gaining a following among liberal women's groups.  This is clearly a disturbing trend.

KCC will be reporting on upcoming Code Pinko activities in NC, but for now, please enjoy the video: