CHARLOTTE, NC — President Trump touts the economy and what he calls a “Great American Comeback” in his state of the union address Tuesday night. Political contributor Mary C. Curtis breaks down the president’s message and gives her thoughts on the Iowa caucus.
POLITICAL WRAP: Iowa Caucuses, State of the Union, Impeachment Trial Vote
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Another busy week in politics is ahead. Monday is the Iowa Caucuses. Tuesday, President Trump delivers the State of the Union address. And Wednesday, Senators will vote whether to acquit President Trump in the impeachment trail.
Click above for more from WCCB Charlotte Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis.
What kind of country do Americans want? Voters definitely have a choice
OPINION — “This is the diverse party. We are a diverse country. I am from a majority-minority state, California. So as far as I’m concerned, if we aren’t talking about race, dealing with race and actually addressing the problems of America today forthrightly and strongly, we’re not going to get the support of people, and we don’t deserve the support of people.”
That was presidential hopeful Tom Steyer, when I spoke with him recently, during his second stop through North Carolina in two weeks.
Yes, there are primary and caucus states after Iowa and New Hampshire. And Democratic candidates are realizing success in those two states is not necessarily destiny. That means appealing to the diverse voters who will have to make peace with the candidates and one another by November, and realizing that as the primaries move South, West and beyond, inequality is an essential part of the debate.
The Importance of North Carolina in the 2020 Race
CHARLOTTE, NC — We’re less than a week away from the Iowa caucuses and while much of the focus will be on the Hawkeye state, North Carolina also play a critical role in the 2020 race. Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis talks about why North Carolina matters.
Why North Carolina Matters In 2020
How competitive will North Carolina be in 2020? We talk about the presidential race, a tough battle for Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and the hyperpolarization of local politics in the state.
Host Jeremy Hobson is joined by Jeff Tiberii (@j_tibs), Capitol Bureau Chief at WUNC and Mary Curtis (@mcurtisnc3), columnist at Roll Call based in Charlotte.
POLITICAL WRAP: Defense Continues Opening Statements in Impeachment Trial
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The next phase of the impeachment trial is underway. President Trump’s defense team will resume their opening arguments Monday at 1:00pm.
The president’s legal team intends to dismantle charges the president abused his power and obstructed Congress.
The defense comes after Democrats spent three days laying out a detailed prosecution.
WCCB Charlotte Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in this week’s political wrap.
From Clinton to Trump, how U.S. lawmakers have changed their tune on impeachment
When Bill Clinton faced impeachment more than two decades ago, commentary from the Republican side of the aisle was very different than today’s trial against U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We see with this impeachment, when you compare it to the Clinton impeachment, that it seems to depend if it’s your guy in the hot seat,” said Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Roll Call, a website covering U.S. politics.
Senate Impeachment Trial
CHARLOTTE, NC — The historic impeachment trial underway in Washington. Political contributor Mary C. Curtis talks about what to expect next.
POLITICAL WRAP: Presidential Candidates Attend “King Day at the Dome” in SC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Monday, hundreds are expected to gather on the South Carolina State House steps for the annual “King Day at the Dome.”
Six of the remaining 12 democratic presidential candidates are expected to attend the event.
That includes Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who re-arranged his schedule to attend, after facing criticism for initially saying he would attend an MLK event in South Bend, Indiana instead.
The South Carolina event is seen as a “must-stop” for democratic presidential candidates, hoping to compete in the Palmetto State.
Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Luke Kuechly Retires; No Raise For NC Teachers; Council Retreat
On this week’s Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup…
Shockwaves went through Panther fans around the city this week as Luke Kuechly, only 28 years old and a star Panther linebacker since his first season in the NFL 8 years ago, calls it quits.
This while many questions remain about the future of the Panthers, including the future of Cam Newton, just as Newton receives honors for his charity work in the Charlotte region.
There was no vote by state lawmakers in Raleigh this week about overriding Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the budget. The no-vote means North Carolina teachers did not get a raise. The General Assembly is now adjourned till late April.
And City Council held its annual retreat in Durham this week, which was to help the council outline their 2020 goals. Topics discussed included the budget, transportation, affordable housing and growth, among others. We’ll give you a recap.
Mike Collins is joined by local journalists to fill you in about those stories and much more on the Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup.
Guests:
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com and WCCB
David Boraks, reporter for WFAE
Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV Reporter
Annie Ma, reporter for The Charlotte Observer












