Southern Highland Reader

Mountain media in review: what they’re saying about the election

Overviews and general news

Smoky Mountain News > State could play pivotal role
Franklin Press > Macon County see record early voter turnout
Franklin Press > It’s still the economy, stupid
Highlands Highlander > No to negative campaigning
Smoky Mountain Times > Defacement and theft of campaign signs
Smoky Mountain Times > What does “Joe” say about politics?
Smoky Mountain Times > Anti-American? Too simplistic.
Graham Star > Predicts a close presidential race
Cashiers Crossroads Chronicle > Election overview
Washington Post > Battle for senate majority passes through the tarheel state
Winston-Salem Journal > In the thick of things; NC key to national strategies

Smoky Mountain News > Inspired first timers and young people spark voting surge in the mountains
Macon News > Election overview
Smoky Mountain Times > Election overview
Sylva Herald > Election overview

President of the United States

Sylva Herald > Endorsement > Obama the right choice
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Nation needs change, Obama better-suited

Smoky Mountain News > Obama wins nation, North Carolina votes

11th Congressional District

Smoky Mountain News > Overview > Mumpower’s campaign unique, but shouldn’t threaten Shuler
Sylva Herald > Endorsement > Shuler
Asheville Citizen-Times > News > Mumpower risks victory for principles
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Shuler

Smoky Mountain News > News > 11th congressional election recap
Mountain Xpress > News > Shuler wins

United States Senate

Smoky Mountain News > Overview > Dole’s hands full with Hagan
Sylva Herald > Endorsement > Hagan the right choice
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Hagan will give NC better voice in the Senate
Talking Points Memo > Overview/opinion > Dole/Hagan degenerates into shouting match

Raleigh News and Observer > Win will carry Hagan only so far
Independent Weekly > A win for godless Hagan

North Carolina Governor

Smoky Mountain News > Overview > McCrory holds slight edge
Macon News > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > McCrory
Macon News > News > McCrory rallies in Franklin

Charlotte Observer > Losing is new for McCrory
Charlotte Business Journal > McCrory falls

North Carolina Lt. Governor

Macon News > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Dalton

Winston Salem Journal > Dalton wins Lt. Governor

Haire/Allen

Smoky Mountain News > Overview
Macon News > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Haire

Snow/Pons

Smoky Mountain News > Overview > Snow
Smoky Mountain News > Overview > Pons
Macon News > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsement > Snow

Statewide Judicial races

Asheville Citizen-Times > Question and answer with the candidates
Asheville Citizen-Times > Endorsements

Macon Co. Commissioners

Smoky Mountain News > Overview
Macon News > Question and answer with the candidates
Franklin Press > Question and answer with the candidates

The Spotlight

Columnists mark Helms’ passing

Last modified on 2008-08-19 22:13:57 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

This piece didn’t get too much attention when I posted it a few days after Jesse Helms’s death. There are some interesting thoughts gathered here, though, so I thought I’d trot it out again …

STATEWIDE/NATIONAL-Jesse Helms, one of the strongest figures in North Carolina’s far-from-bland political history, passed away last week.

Here are a few of the more interesting goodbye columns culled from a broad selection:

Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe suggests that Helms’ clearest sin wasn’t racism, but a ‘tenacious political correctness.’

Marc Thiessen, current chief White House speech writer and former Foreign Relations Committee spokesman for Helms, defends Helms’ legacy in the Washington Post.

John Fund, columnist for the Wall Street Journal, presents Helms as an expert at defending and promoting embattled minority viewpoints, and points out that he introduced tactics used today across the political spectrum. Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader echoed this viewpoint in a recent interview with the Raleigh News and Observer, saying, “I think [Helms'] legacy is that no matter how wrong you are on how many issues, if you stick to it you can win.”

More from the N&O: “Nader said that Helms had ‘enormous determination and stamina’ when pushing his conservative causes, something he does not think current liberal senators have. ‘They don’t have that stick-to-it-iveness that Jesse Helms had,’ he said. ‘They’re not hungry to win the way Jesse Helms was.’”

In a long piece, John Nichols, of The Nation, traces Helms’ political career, excoriates him for racism, and outlines ties between Helms and the McCain campaign.

Closer to home - and with greater nuance - Jack Betts of the Charlotte Observer and Jim Jenkins of the Raleigh News and Observer share some parting words.