theCLog

Marquee rivalry steals voter attention: The N.C. primary is now center stage. Instead of the anticipated 700,000 to 800,000, Democratic primary voters are now expected to reach 1.2 million to 1.5 million, many of whom are new voters not that familiar with the party.
Hillary Clinton will visit Concord, NC at the Troutman’s BBQ, 362 Church St. North, then off to Charlotte at the Time Warner Cable Arena, April 28. Barack Obama will be in Hickory April 29 at Hickory High School. John McCain has hopped on the bandwagon and will be in Charlotte May 5.
Full story: Charlotte.com

Graffiti show draws critical sandblast: There is an upcoming art exhibit dedicated to graffiti painters in South End. City officials and business leaders are squirming in their pants — they believe it promotes vandalism. Organizers believe this is the first time a Charlotte gallery has dedicated a show completely to graffiti art. The “Off the Wall: Graffiti Art” opens at 6 p.m. May 2 at the Charlotte Art League Gallery on Camden Road. Promoting the event includes the controversial graffiti workshop teaching techniques of how to properly do graffiti, but not to promote vandalism.
Full story: Charlotte.com

Vote recount: Mugabe’s party loses parliament: Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe lost at the chance to win back control Zimbabwe’s parliament, according to the official recount results released on April 26.
Full story: MSNBC.com

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Today is the day School Board members Kaye McGarry, Ken Gjertsen and Larry “Old Walleye is Back” Gauvreau have been dreading: the “Day of Silence,” during which students can show support for the rights of gay, bi and transgender students by remaining mute at school. Contrary to the fantasies of bigots like McGarry & Co., who see the event as somehow “anti-Christian,” the students’ silence is meant to draw attention to the bullying (and therefore the silencing — get it?) of GLBT students. CMS administration doesn’t endorse the event but, in the bureaucracy’s own self-important words, it is “allowing” it (otherwise, what would they do — force someone to speak? I mean, please). Kudos to North Meck High, which is holding a “Day of Diversity” for students to talk about issues of tolerance and prejudice. If you know any GLBT students, check in with them this afternoon, see how things went, and lend your verbal support.

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Obama outraises Clinton 3 to 1 in N.C.: Sen. Barack Obama’s connection to John Edwards has boosted his advantage money-wise over Sen. Hillary Clinton. For every one donor to Clinton’s campaign there were three for Obama. Obama most certainly has a cash advantage in North Carolina, but he also did in Pennsylvania. Who will have the advantage to win the N.C. Primary May 6?
Full story: Charlotte.com

Man guilty in plot to kill ex-wife: One of the golden rules in kindergarten was to learn how to share, but David Wills former Cornelius Postmaster was convicted April 24 for plotting to hire a hit man to kill his ex-wife because he did want to share his pension with her when he retired. Wills now faces up to 30 years in prison.
Full story: Charlotte.com

Interpol: ‘Real possibility’ of attack at Olympics: There is a “real possibility” terrorists or anti-China groups will attack during the Beijing Olympics, said the head of Interpol. The Communist rulers of China value stability above everything and are now extremely strict on people who could potential upset the games.
Full story: MSNBC.com

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Jason Bishop will be at Wingate University to mystify you tonight at 7:30 p.m.

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Theatre 650, billed as a “new late-night experience at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte,” continues its Cult Movie Mondays Film Series by presenting 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap at 8 p.m. next Monday, April 28, at the group’s venue at 650 E. Stonewall St.
Directed by Rob Reiner, This Is Spinal Tap has long been considered a cult classic and was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2002. Starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer (who all also co-wrote the script with Reiner), the film was largely responsible for the popularity of the “mockumentary” genre that has since produced such titles as Waiting for Guffman and Best In Show. And in 2007, the picture ranked #3 on Creative Loafing’s list of the 20 greatest rock films ever made.
Monday’s screening will be followed by local actor Scott Ripley and band performing some Hedwig and the Angry Inch tunes.
Admission is free, and so is the popcorn. Drink specials will also be available ($2 beer, $3 wine). For more info, call 704-342-2251 or go to http://blog.myspace.com/actorstheatrecharlotte.

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By Hillary Clinton

So today I declared that I’m leading the popular vote. And I didn’t just flat out declare it, I channeled my inner 5-year-old to make the announcement:

“I’m very proud that as of today, I have received more votes by the people who have voted than anyone else.”

And if I may add … nana-nana-boo-boo.

In fairness I should qualify that this vote total includes Michigan and Florida, which went uncontested by Barack. Additionally, it doesn’t include black voters because, let’s be honest, those were “gimmes” for him. Red states that have no chance of voting Democratic in the national election obviously were left off this tally as well.

Hey, I’m just checking the numbers again, and apparently I won the nomination two months ago!

Shit. Kind of embarrassing that we’ve been destroying each other and seriously damaging the Democratic party for the last eight weeks. Boy is there egg on our faces or what!

I’m further bragging that I’ve received more votes than any candidate in history. Way more than when Lincoln beat out Douglas. Sure there were less US citizens alive then than registered Democrats today, but what I’m trying to say is I would have smoked old Abe. So while Barack turns his attention to McCain, I find it prudent to look backwards and trounce on past president’s legacies.

For instance did you know that Abraham Lincoln’s nickname was Gaybraham? True story.

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I heard a man’s name on TV this morning named Richard DeVein.

Here’s hope that he doesn’t go by the nickname Dick DeVein.

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It’s official. I have officially decided to officially vote for Barack Obama. It took a while, and the reason for my switch from Hillary to Obama is not deep. She has officially gotten on my damned nerves with her male posturing and heavy borrowing from the Karl Rove handbook of how to win an election at all costs. Anytime you team up with a Republican (John McCain) to attack your Democratic opponent, you have crossed the line. Quite frankly, I am officially disgusted with this exhausting process and cannot stand behind Clinton’s tactics. She may win the nomination, but she has lost this voter.

(Read more about Nsenga’s switch in next week’s Creative Loafing)

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The Obama campaign released this statement today, just one day after he lost the PA primary to rival Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Former Edwards National General Chairman and 49 Other Edwards Supporters Throw Support to Barack Obama

Edwards backers call North Carolina primary clear choice between real change and more of the same

Raleigh, NC — The Obama campaign today announced the endorsement of 49 prominent supporters of John Edwards – including Ed Turlington, Edwards’ former National General Chairman. These North Carolina leaders – ranging from Members of Congress to a former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to former law partners and longtime friends of John Edwards – cite Barack Obama’s commitment to fighting for change on behalf of working Americans and taking on the special interests in Washington.

“Barack Obama and John Edwards share a commitment to taking on special interests and standing up for regular Americans. Along with Edwards supporters from across the state, I am honored to join Senator Obama’s movement for change,” said Turlington. “As president, he will bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents behind an agenda of change. From ending the war in Iraq to confronting the scourge of poverty to making health care affordable for every single American, Barack Obama will bring our country the change we need.”

The diverse group said they are voting for Obama because he is the only candidate with a proven ability to unite America around a common vision and win the votes of Republicans and Independents whose support is critical to carrying the state in the fall.

Like Edwards, Obama refused donations from PACs and Washington lobbyists and vowed to stand up to the special interests that have blocked so much progress for working Americans in Washington, DC.

“John Edwards has dedicated his life and career to fighting poverty in America. Barack Obama demonstrated that same commitment when he turned down a high-paying job on Wall Street to work in Chicago communities decimated by steel mill closings,” said Louise Coggins, a social worker from Wilmington who has known John and Elizabeth Edwards for 30 years. “Senator Obama is now the only candidate in the race who doesn’t take money from PACs and federal lobbyists. We can count on him to stand up to special interests in Washington, DC on behalf of working men and women in America.”

Listed below are local leaders who had previously backed John Edwards’ campaign for president, but today are throwing their support behind Obama:

David Price, U.S. Congressman (4th Dist)
Mel Watt, U.S. Congressman (12th Dist)
G.K. Butterfield, U.S. Congressman (1st Dist)

Peggy Abrams, Attorney
Doug Abrams, Attorney
Phil Baddour, Attorney & Former NC House Majority Leader
Steven Bernholz, Attorney
Clifford Britt, Attorney
Wade Byrd, Attorney
Stephen D. Coggins, Attorney
Louise Coggins, Social Worker/Therapist
W. Thompson Comerford, Jr., Attorney
Michael Cucchiara, Business leader
Lisbeth Evans, Secretary of NC Department of Cultural Resources
Anthony Foxx, Charlotte City Councilman
Henry Frye, Former Chief Justice of North Carolina Supreme Court
Shirley Frye, Former Educator, Community Leader
Harvey B. Gantt, Former Edwards National Co-Chair, Former Charlotte mayor
Richard Gusler, Attorney
Pricey Harrison, North Carolina State Representative
Marty Hayes, Activist
James Heavner, Business leader
C. Mark Holt, Attorney
Leonard Jernigan, Attorney
Adelaide Key, Philanthropist
Eleanor Kinniard, North Carolina State Senator
Henry McKoy, Business leader
Brownie Newman, Asheville City Council member
Spencer Parris, Attorney
Roger Perry, UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees–Chairman
Jim Phillips Jr., Attorney and Chair, UNC Board of Governors
Wade Smith, Attorney & Former State Democratic Party Chair
Sallie Shuping Russell, Business leader and UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees
Roger Smith, Attorney
Bob Spearman, Attorney & Former Wake County Democratic Party Chair
Pat Spearman, Activist
Adam Stein, Attorney
Nina Szlosberg, Conservationist & Department of Transportation Board Member
Amy Tiemann, Writer
Michael Tiemann, Red Hat Executive
Kevin Trapani, President & CEO, The Redwoods Group
Tim Toben, Business leader
Ed Turlington, Attorney & Former Edwards National Chairman
Marla Turlington, Activist
Howard Twiggs, Attorney & Former State legislator
Steve Warren, Attorney
Willis P. Wichard, Author, Dean, and Former State Supreme Court Justice
Carter Worthy, Realtor
Todd Zapolski, Business leader

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What happened last night at Baar Wars? Lots of drinking…and some judging, too.

Check out QC After Dark’s Brittney Cason’s latest blog entry at qcvibes.com for more info.

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