Do Politics Better Podcast

If you eat sweet potatoes, there's a good chance that the delicious bounty came from the Nash County farm of Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes and her husband Johnny.   The two-term legislator (one term in both the House and Senate) sat down with Skye and Brian to talk about her love of agriculture, her extensive family, politics, and her work in her community inspired by her Christian faith.   Plus, we are inside a month before the primary election and the opening day of the short session.  Skye and Brian update listeners on the latest from the US Senate race, the race to replace Congressman David Price gets ugly, another presidential-run mention for Governor Cooper, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.     

L.T. (La'Tanta) McCrimmon has one of the most challenging jobs in North Carolina politics:  She serves as the Legislative Director for Governor Roy Cooper at the General Assembly.  L.T. talks about her life growing up in rural Scotland County, the influence of her mother and great-grandmother, her political work for Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and how she goes about her work as the chief lobbyist for a Democratic governor who doesn't always see eye-to-eye with a Republican-controlled General Assembly. Skye and Brian also celebrate the Halifax Resolves, unpack a new WRAL issue/candidate poll, and former President Donald Trump visits Johnston County.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Superintendent Catherine Truitt taught ten years in the classroom before rising to the highest position in education governance in North Carolina.  The veteran English teacher talks of her career journey as well as her personal and professional challenges leading education policy in North Carolina.   Skye and Brian also report on US Senate poll numbers, an upcoming visit to NC by President Donald Trump, and we answer the question, “what do lobbyists do out of session?” The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue was arguably the most powerful political leader in North Carolina from 1991 to 1994 when he served as NC Speaker of the House, the first black leader of either chamber in the General Assembly.   The Wake County attorney talks about growing up on a farm in Robeson County, his college years as a math major, his decision to pursue a law degree, and how his storied political career began.   Skye and Brian also rundown another news filled week, including Congressman Madison Cawthorn's latest blunder, a car manufacturing company selects North Carolina, a legislative committee meeting featuring nurses versus doctors, and Skye has big personal news to share.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.       

Sen. Michael Lee is a powerful Senate Education Committee Chair, a committee he leads with determination and humility.  The New Hanover County Republican talks about his early life in Dunn, NC, his four election losses, and what his son's health challenges have taught him about the education system in North Carolina.   Skye explains what's going on with the voter ID and Leandro cases before the NC Supreme Court and Brian talks about Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s latest controversy, its timing, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall talks about growing up on a farm, how 4-H changed her life, her decision to go to law school, and run for the NC Senate.  The Harnett County Democrat also talks about her successful 1996 race against racing champion Richard Petty, which made her the first woman elected statewide in North Carolina.    Skye and Brian also talk about former Governor John Kasich's virtual visit to a Medicaid expansion committee, review the John Locke Foundation's Civitas Partisan Index, and discuss why unaffiliated voters are now the largest voting bloc in the state.  And, of course, they run down the #DoPoliticsBetter #NCGA Bracket Challenge.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Senate Appropriations Chair Brent Jackson (R-Duplin/Johnston/Sampson) talks about growing up in Sampson County, farming watermelons, his decision to run for the Senate in a Democratic leaning district in 2010, and what he thinks about the rumors that he is running for NC Agriculture Commissioner in the future.   Skye and Brian also unpack the news from this week, including an intra-party Senate showdown in Cumberland County, a veto override vote, the General Assembly adjourns until spring, Congressman Madison Cawthorn news,and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Former Rep. Rick Glazier was once one of the most powerful legislators in the General Assembly.  The Fayetteville Democrat, who now leads the NC Justice Center, made a point to include Republicans on his legislation, including a bill he considers his most important work: the creation of the NC Innocence Inquiry Commission, which continues to make news today.   Rick recounts his partnership on that bill with former Rep. Paul (Skip) Stam, a conservative stalwart, and how they worked past their differences to find common ground, and even friendship.   Skye and Brian run down a few notable House and Senate primary races, talk about a complicated veto override vote next week, and celebrate the podcast's one-year anniversary by sharing an early (and comical) draft of the show's format.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons is a bridge-builder at the General Assembly.  The Greensboro Democrat is often in the negotiating room on some of the state's most high profile education debates, works in partnership with her Republican colleagues on meaningful legislation, and is energized about getting more bipartisan work done in the future.  Skye and Brian break down the final election maps approved by the state courts on Wednesday night and the decisions a few candidates are facing in the aftermath.  Brian also recalls a scary surfing session from a couple weeks ago that may have included a shark. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

John Hood is an early pioneer in North Carolina’s conservative movement. He helped found found three major conservative institutions — the John Locke Foundation, Carolina Journal, and the Civitas Institute — at a time when NC's politics was dominated by Democrats.  John takes us back to 1989 when he was fresh out of UNC and Art Pope had an idea on building a conservative infrastructure in NC.  We also learn about John's life growing up in Mecklenburg County, his love of books and tap-dancing, and how in 2012 a media firestorm put him on the opposite side of many conservatives in the state.   Skye and Brian also update listeners on legislative map-drawing 2.0, give insightful analysis on deals and no-deals on maps, and recount a past intern at New Frame and a practical joke played on him.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.