Raleigh News & Observer Logo

NC Transportation Secretary Tony Tata blasts Iran talks, Twitter critic | Raleigh News & Observer

×
  • E-edition
    • Customer Service
    • Support
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Sponsorships
    • Stay connected
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Social Media Directory
    • N&O Store
    • Buy Photos
    • Databases
    • Archives
    • Newsletters

    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Health
    • Local
    • North Carolina
    • Nation/World
    • Science
    • Thumbs Up
    • Traffic
    • Weather
    • Weird News
    • All News
    • Counties
    • Durham County
    • Johnston County
    • Orange County
    • Wake County
    • All Sports
    • Baseball
    • Canes
    • College
    • Columns & Blogs
    • High Schools
    • NASCAR & Auto Racing
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NHL
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Panthers
    • Soccer
    • Schools
    • Duke
    • East Carolina
    • NC State
    • North Carolina
    • All Politics
    • The North Carolina Influencer Series
    • State Politics
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • PolitiFact
    • PolitiFact NC
    • Rob Christensen
    • Under the Dome
    • All Business
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Health Care
    • Personal Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Shop Talk
    • Stocks Center
    • Technology
    • All Living
    • Video Now
    • Best-Kept Secrets
    • Blogs
    • Celebrations
    • Comics
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Games and Puzzles
    • Home and Garden
    • Horoscopes
    • Mouthful
    • Past Times
    • Pets
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Video Now
    • Arts News
    • ArtsNow
    • Books
    • Contests
    • Dining
    • Entertainment
    • Games
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Television
    • On the Beat
    • Happiness is a Warm TV
    • All Opinion
    • Columnists
    • Dwane Powell
    • Editorials
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Letters
    • Opinion Shop Blog
    • Other Views
    • Submit a Letter
  • Obituaries

    • Advertise with us
    • Place Ad
    • Apartments
    • Cars
    • Homes
    • Jobs
    • Legals
    • Obits/In Memoriams
    • Weddings
    • Today's Daily Deal
    • Special Sections
    • Today's Circulars
    • Rewards
    • Photo Store
  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Cars
  • Homes
  • Legals

Under the Dome

Under the Dome

NC Transportation Secretary Tony Tata blasts Iran talks, Twitter critic

By Colin Campbell

ccampbell@newsobserver.com

    ORDER REPRINT →

March 21, 2015 06:31 PM

N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata was on Fox News Friday night criticizing President Barack Obama’s nuclear talks with Iran.

Tata, who’s become a regular commentator on Sean Hannity’s show, said he doesn’t think the United States should be in negotiations with Iran.

“This administration has just eliminated Hezbollah and Iran from terror threats in the national security report,” Tata told Hannity. “You have to wonder if that’s some kind of quid pro quo or opening gambit in the negotiations that Secretary (of State John) Kerry is doing. How can they not be listed as a terror threat? I don’t know what pie-in-the-sky world we’re living in right now, but this is ridiculous.

“This is an oppressive regime that wants to destroy Israel and the United States.”

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

Tata, who’s introduced on Fox as the author of “Foreign and Domestic” and a retired general, has been criticized by some on the left who say the dual roles are inappropriate for a member of Gov. Pat McCrory’s cabinet. But McCrory has given his blessing, and Tata has said the after-hours appearances don’t interfere with his day job.

Tata had a strong response later Friday when a Raleigh Democratic strategist criticized his Hannity appearance on Twitter.

When Perry Woods – who’s worked on campaigns for Raleigh city councilors and Wake County school board members – told him to “focus on your day job,” Tata called Woods a “radical left pol hack” who “hates freedom of speech.”

The late night internet exchange continued from there:

@WhalerCane @VetsStrong @seanhannity Radical left pol hacks hate freedom of speech when not aligned w their view. I fought for mine. You?

— Anthony J. Tata (@ajtata) March 21, 2015

@WhalerCane @seanhannity @RandyStagner have been effective public servant for 34 years in combat, schools & state. You? #MakeADifference

— Anthony J. Tata (@ajtata) March 21, 2015

@WhalerCane @RandyStagner "before I arrived" was in #Afghanistan and #10thmountain #101stAirborne #Fort Bragg w @82ndABNDIV & #DCPS serving

— Anthony J. Tata (@ajtata) March 21, 2015

@WhalerCane @RandyStagner baseless claim. Leading & making a difference across state. Walk a mile in my shoes.I'll carry the medic bag for u

— Anthony J. Tata (@ajtata) March 21, 2015

(NOTE of clarification: Fox News says Tata is a guest when he appears on its shows. He is not a paid employee of Fox News.)

  Comments  

Videos

‘Tuesdays with Tillis’ sings about the shutdown

Anita Earls officially joins the NC Supreme Court

View More Video

Trending Stories

John Harris warned his father about legal red flags involving Bladen operative

February 20, 2019 02:13 PM

Three observations from No. 8 North Carolina’s 88-72 road win over No. 1 Duke

February 21, 2019 02:18 AM

Zion Williamson injured as No. 1 Duke falls to No. 8 UNC

February 20, 2019 11:11 PM

Zion Williamson injured during Duke-UNC game after foot blows through shoe

February 20, 2019 09:53 PM

Transgender woman has asked to be moved from a men’s prison. So far, NC has said no.

February 20, 2019 01:42 PM

Read Next

Warnings were ‘beyond a red flag,’ Mark Harris is told, but he insists he didn’t believe them
Video media Created with Sketch.

Politics & Government

Warnings were ‘beyond a red flag,’ Mark Harris is told, but he insists he didn’t believe them

By Brian Murphy,

Jim Morrill, and

Ely Portillo

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 21, 2019 02:31 PM

Republican Mark Harris to testify at the North Carolina Board of Elections hearing on November 2018 general midterm election & vote fraud allegations in 9th District race. Harris faced Democrat Dan McCready.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE UNDER THE DOME

Mark Harris calls for new election in 9th district

Politics & Government

Mark Harris calls for new election in 9th district

February 21, 2019 09:39 AM
Talking on the phone while driving? That may soon be illegal in NC.

Politics & Government

Talking on the phone while driving? That may soon be illegal in NC.

February 21, 2019 11:36 AM
Senate Democrats like Republican House Speaker Moore’s idea for a school construction bond

Politics & Government

Senate Democrats like Republican House Speaker Moore’s idea for a school construction bond

February 20, 2019 07:14 PM
John Harris warned his father about legal red flags involving Bladen operative

Politics & Government

John Harris warned his father about legal red flags involving Bladen operative

February 20, 2019 02:13 PM
‘Our world has changed’ – Eastern NC bands together to urge faster hurricane recovery

Politics & Government

‘Our world has changed’ – Eastern NC bands together to urge faster hurricane recovery

February 20, 2019 06:34 PM
Mark Harris’ son told his father ‘shady character’ in Bladen was collecting ballots

Politics & Government

Mark Harris’ son told his father ‘shady character’ in Bladen was collecting ballots

February 20, 2019 09:53 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Raleigh News & Observer App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Triangletoday.com
  • Legal Notices
Advertising
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Our Ads
  • Place a Classified
  • Local Deals
  • N&O Store
  • N&O Photos
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Report News
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use


Back to Story