People in Politics January 10, 2015

This week, Gov. Pat McCrory went toe to toe with President Obama in the White House during a 45-minute meeting. McCrory, who serves on the executive committee of the National Governors Association, attended with three other governors. After the meeting, McCrory addressed reporters and explained that Medicaid and transportation were part of the give-and-take with the president. Then host Donna Martinez gets reaction to the McCrory/Obama meeting from Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal, who explains why the Medicaid issue is key to McCrory and many other governors seeking flexibility from the federal government. The two also discuss this week’s swearing-in of a familiar name for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court when Sam Ervin IV took his oath. Henderson discusses the continuing politics of electing judges in so-called “nonpartisan” races that are clearly conducted largely with partisan support. Henderson also weighs in on why North Carolina’s new congressional delegation is being touted as a group with growing clout, now that Thom Tillis has been elected as part of the Republican majority in the Senate and Patrick McHenry of the 10th congressional district has risen in stature and responsibility. Then we turn to comments made by veteran Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield of the 1st congressional district. This week, Butterfield ascended to the position of chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Following the oath-taking, Butterfield delivered a passionate speech about civil rights and the group’s agenda, which includes using legal avenues to pursue justice. You’ll hear him speak. That’s followed by perspective on the new 114th Congress from Duke University Professor David Rohde, who discusses the potential future of Obamacare, Thom Tillis’ agenda, and the role immigration reform may play in the 2016 elections. And finally, Martinez provides an update of North Carolina voter registration statistics, which show Democrats retaining a solid lead over Republicans.