Do Politics Better Podcast

Senator-elect Mary Wills Bode was elected to the NC Senate on November 8 after a grueling race that was watched closely by NC political observers. The Granville County Democrat (who also represents part of Wake County) sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about her high profile election, her goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator serving in the minority, and her life path to elected office. The podcast also unpacks the Sine Die session that wasn't, Republican leadership previews the 2023 legislative session, Hurricane Matthew Oversight turns into a storm, a NC Labor Commissioner candidate steps up, Tweet-of-the-Week, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Jeff Tiberii is the Capitol Bureau Chief covering the General Assembly and he hosts WUNC's biweekly Politics Podcast, roles he continues through the end of 2022.  In the New Year, he'll co-host a daily radio show on WUNC that will focus on North Carolina news, politics and culture.   Before he makes this transition, Jeff sat down with Skye and Brian to talk about his life, family, career, love of sports, and North Carolina politics.  He also waves a magic wand and makes an improvement for all who work in the General Assembly.   Plus, we discuss the power grid attack in Moore County, Moore v Harper, 2022 election turnout data, more legislative leadership announcements, Commissioner Josh Dobson's announcement, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, Skye's "icks", and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 120 people on November 30.  Skye and Brian were joined by Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper.   The discussion was focused on western North Carolina politics, including Buncombe County's delegation turnover, the region's need for bipartisanship in a partisan environment, and the continuing drama in the state's 11th Congressional District.   In addition to a recap of North Carolina political news and the Tweet of the Week, Dr. Cooper waves a magic wand that could fix our politics.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Senator-elect Benton Sawrey was elected to the NC Senate on November 8.  The Johnston County Republican sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his election, his goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator, and his path to elected office.   The podcast also dives into the longterm challenges facing the Republican and Democratic parties and the resignation of LT McCrimmon as Governor Roy Cooper's liaison to the General Assembly.  We also feature a Tweet of the Week, the podcast visits Asheville, and Thanksgiving plans.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Sen. Kirk deViere joins Skye and Brian for this special edition of the podcast to unpack the mid-term elections in North Carolina, including the races for U.S. Senate, Congress, the Courts, and the NC General Assembly.   The Democrat from Fayetteville, who was ousted in a Democratic primary this past spring for his moderate voting record, also talks about the need for both political parties to welcome middle-of-the-road legislators in their ranks. Plus, Skye and Brian spent Election Day in Robeson County with Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Tweet of the Week, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

State Board of Elections Chair Damon Circosta talks about his early career in election reform advocacy, including a stint working for the late Sen. John McCain, and his work now to ensure North Carolina elections are secure and accessible. The Arizona native also talks about how the state's diverse politics and coastal surfing vibe were determining factors in his family's decision to locate to North Carolina.   In this 2022 mid-term election edition of the podcast, Skye and Brian discuss a Meredith College Poll, make predictions for the U.S. Senate race and General Assembly supermajorities, Tweet of the Week, and a tribute to the late Sen. Stan Bingham.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.       

Demi Dowdy is the Communications Director for House Speaker Tim Moore, a job that often has her in the room where it happens and working with journalists in the NC Capitol Press Corps to get the story told to the public.   The first generation Cuban-American also talks about her career advocating for conservative causes, including her work for the Civitas Institute (now merged with the John Locke Foundation), and her hopes and aspirations for the Republican Party. Skye and Brian unpack a pair of polls showing Ted Budd edging out Cheri Beasley in the U.S. Senate race while the congressional race between Wiley Nickel and Bo Hines seems to be knotted.  They also tick through swing NC Senate and NC House races, including an odd rumor circulating this week about the Bobby Hanig-Valerie Jordan race.   Plus, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, celebrity endorsements, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

NC political operatives have access to a voter file that indexes every voter on a scale from 0-100.  Your Facebook likes, Instagram shares, iTunes purchases, grocery store purchases, and more, constantly update your file and informs political candidates and PACs on what kind of messages will get you to the polls.   Dan Crawford leads the political work for the NC League of Conservation Voters and he sits down with Skye and Brian to explain how the voter index works.  Dan is married to Democratic Sen. Sarah Crawford, who sat in on the podcast interview.  It's an informative and fun discussion that delves into their family life and a 2014 attack ad aimed at the political couple.   Also, early voting begins in North Carolina, campaign finance reports filed, tragedy hits Raleigh, a Moore v Harper court update, and Governor Cooper and Senator Berger duke it out in a national magazine article.   Plus, Tweet of the Week, a Do Politics Better visit to the NC State Fair, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.       

Opposition (or "oppo") research is the most secretive and underground facet of North Carolina politics, but it's the foundation of most successful political campaigns.  NC-based GOP political operative Darren Eustance at Malleus Political Strategies talks about his misunderstood, required, and often maligned industry. Skye and Brian also break down the Beasley/Budd U.S. Senate debate, discuss crime as an emerging campaign issue in political races, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, the NC State Fair, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Nathan Babcock is a political consultant for Republican state Senate candidates and part of Morgan Jackson's job is to direct Governor Roy Cooper's political investments in key General Assembly races.   Both veteran political operatives are guests on the podcast this week and help Skye and Brian understand the state of play in key NC House and Senate races one month from Election Day.   As to legislative races, it's heating up in swing districts as a lawsuit is filed in a New Hanover County Senate race, court cases are moving, Unsubstantiated Rumors, and Tweet of the Week.    The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.