News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Columns by Rob Christensen (2004)

Rob Christensen

Rob Christensen has been writing about North Carolina politics as a reporter and a columnist for more than 30 years for The News and Observer. He can be reached at 829-4532 or robc@newsobserver.com



GET READY FOR ELECTION DAY

Get sample ballots, candidate profiles, other info here.
Fact-check the local candidates here, national ones here.
Get the latest news on the presidential race here.

Test your political acumen

OK, boys and girls. It is time for your political pop quiz to see whether you have been paying attention.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 2:43 AM | Full story

Absolut victory, Comrade

Pass the vodka, Comrade. North Carolina had a most wonderful election this month.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 9:25 PM | Full story

What the elections teach us

Here are seven things I learned from the elections last week in North Carolina.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 3:49 PM | Full story

Edwards at arm's length

'A Southern drawl on the ticket would help us," Sen. Jon Corzine of New Jersey, said in June.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 11:10 AM | Full story

The rise and fall of quotas

On September 10, 1932, 15,000 people attended a "Hoover Cart Rodeo" in Goldsboro. About 300 cars were on display, powered by North Carolina mules rather than Detroit engines, because their owners could no longer afford to buy gasoline or tires.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 4:55 AM | Full story

Trivial 'news' irks pundit

Edwin Yoder is part of a rich tradition of North Carolina journalists who have headed north to make their reputations.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 12:21 PM | Full story

Aycock planted tolerance

The topic at the state Democratic Convention in 1904 was hot -- whether black children should be educated -- and so was the Greensboro warehouse where it was held.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 5:16 PM | Full story

Old ties bind N.C. to Mass.

On the surface, North Carolina and Massachusetts don't seem to have much in common except a coastline, a love of seafood and, soon, teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 1:31 PM | Full story

Apathy in retreat in 2004

People are more engaged in this presidential campaign than they were four years ago, expert says.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 2:10 AM | Full story

Preppie pair hits heartland

Here's a postcard from the campaign trail with the Democrats' John-John ticket.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 8:57 PM | Full story

Vinroot's hopes go down drain

After his poor showing Tuesday in the GOP primary, Richard Vinroot's candidacy for governor was like a tub of water after the stopper had been pulled.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 8:02 AM | Full story

GOP not speaking to center

As North Carolina Republicans go to the polls to choose their gubernatorial nominee Tuesday, here's a question to ponder: Why has it been nearly a generation since the GOP last elevated someone to the governor's mansion?

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 11:28 PM | Full story

Edwards excels at rebound

When John Kerry announced last week that John Edwards would be his running mate, he declared that they were both "comeback kids" in the race for the White House.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 12:53 PM | Full story

Reagan's life, legacy remembered

Political friends and foes reminisce about Ronald Reagan as a president with boundless optimism.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 8:54 PM | Full story

Democrat fortunes waxing

North Carolina Democrats normally look forward to presidential elections as much as cotton farmers anticipate the boll weevil.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 10:54 PM | Full story

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