Election results, reactions — with updates throughout the evening

Xpress will be tracking election results as they come in and also getting reactions from candidates. Check back as we will be updating the information here throughout the evening. Drawing by Molton.

Updated 12:47 p.m.

With Brownie Newman winning Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, the remaining two years of his District 1 term will need to be appointed. Kathy Sinclair, chair of the Buncombe County Democrats, tells Xpress the party’s executive committee will elect someone for the post. Sinclair said, via email: “A meeting will be called of the members of the Buncombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee who reside in District 1, and they will elect a replacement to complete the remaining two years of his term. No date has been set.”

A new county commissioner orientation is set for Tuesday, Nov. 15, but new commissioners won’t take office until Dec. 5.

Updated 7:57 a.m.

District 2 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Democratic candidate Nancy Nehls Nelson says, via facebook, she isn’t ready to concede to race to Republican incumbent Mike Fryar. Their contest was decided by 307 votes. Nehls Nelson says, “With only 307 votes separating me from my opponent, my race is eligible for a recount by state law. We also will wait until all absentee ballots and provisional ballots have been counted before there is any thought of conceding.”

Nancy Nehls Nelson

Updated 6:20 a.m.

Congressional District 10

Republican Patrick McHenry (I) beat Democratic challenger Andy Millard.

McHenry - Millard

Congressional District 11

Republican Mark Meadows (I) beat Democratic challenger Rick Bryson.

Bryson - Meadows

NC Senate District 48

Republican Chuck Edwards (appointed to finish Sen. Tom Apodaca‘s term) beat Democratic challenger Norm Bossert.

Bossert - Edwards

NC Senate District 49

Democrat Terry Van Duyn (I) defeated Libertarian challenger William Beau Meredith.

Meredith - Van Duyn

NC House District 115

Democrat John Ager (I) held off Republican Frank Moretz and will return to Raleigh for a second term.

Ager - Moretz

Chair, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners

Democrat Brownie Newman defeated Republican Chuck Archerd for the right to replace outgoing chair David Gantt.

Archerd - Newman

District 2, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners

Republican Mike Fryar (I) outlasted Democratic challenger Nancy Nehls Nelson by 307 votes to return for a second term.

Fryar - Nehls Nelson

District 3, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners

Republican Joe Belcher (I) beat out Democratic challenger Ed Hay.

Belcher - Hay

District 3 (short-term), Buncombe County Board of Commissioners

Political newcomer Republican Robert Pressley scored a victory over Democratic challenger David King to finish the two-year term caused by the resignation of Miranda DeBruhl.

King - Pressley

Register of Deeds

Democrat Drew Reisinger (I) will return to his post after defeating Republican challenger Pat Cothran.

Cothran - Reisinger

At-large, Buncombe County Board of Education

Donna Pate won the at-large seat, scoring a victory over two challengers.

BOE At Large

Owen District, Buncombe County Board of Education

Margaret Buchanan won the Owen District seat by beating out three challengers.

BOE At-large

Roberson District, Buncombe County Board of Education

Amy Churchill will return to her Roberson District seat after holding off challenger Laura Bowen.

Roberson

City of Asheville bond referendums

All three bond referendums were approved by voters.

AVL Bonds

Town of Woodfin bond referendum

Voters in the Town of Woodfin approved a parks and recreation bond.

Woodfin Bond

Updated 11:07 p.m.

Frank Moretz, unsuccessful Republican candidate for N.C. House 115:

“[This campaign] was an interesting experience. It was a lot of hard work. I’m very proud of what I’ve done and whether I win or lose, I consider it a success.

“[The primary issues in this campaign are]: medical care, Medicaid reform, mental health reform and narcotic addiction reform. There’s only one other doctor in the N.C. legislature.

“[If I don’t prevail], I go back to a great retirement. It’s a win-win situation … I’ll take it a day at a time, then we will see. I’m keeping my options open. … I was unaffiliated until June a year ago.

“I ran against one of oldest, wealthiest, most politically powerful families in WNC. I’m proud of what I’ve done.” — V. Daffron

Updated 10:58 p.m.

Mike Fryar, Republican incumbent, re-elected to Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for District 2:

(Vote will be subject to recount due to less than 1 percent margin of victory over Democratic opponent Nancy Nehls Nelson per North Carolina law.)

“I am very humbled to be standing here. This was a tough race and I knew it was going to be tough. But with all the support of everyone in here, I’m here. I am humbled. It’s a very close race, only 300 votes. About as close as you can get. It’s amazing to look around this room at the people who support me. They were after me pretty hard. Right now we’re okay. 300 votes—I can’t say it’s a mandate. I’m very proud to be your Commissioner.”

Robert Pressley, Republican Commissioner-elect, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for District 2:

“You don’t know how proud I am. Nathan West can tell you, I kept saying Tim Moffitt is the most qualified person for the job. They said, we need you, you can’t quit. They have been guiding me, Joe [Belcher] has been holding on to me and helping me out. And if it wasn’t for Mike Fryar — he’s the one that got me started a couple of years ago.

“I’m a conservative, [I] spent the least amount of money on this campaign. But if you could have seen what I’ve done behind the scenes: going from house to house to shake the hands, the old-fashioned way. I’m going to try to be the best Commissioner that I can be and I will listen to the people.”

Joe Belcher, Republican incumbent, re-elected to Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for District 3:

“I’m feeling very good, we’ve been working all day. We just got in. My whole family is here with me. We came from the polls to come here.

“Lot of new voters out there, spoke to some folks who are in their seventies voting for the first time.

“When I’m out working the polls, it’s simply putting our message before them. Some are interested in receiving something. We are just there to have a presence, to encourage everybody throughout the day.

“We tried to have an enjoyable day, and we have.

“I am not a negative guy, I’m a positive guy. When I walked in the room, Mike Fryar was 2,700 votes down. I said, they threw everything they had at you in early voting.

“It’s an honor to return for another term.” — V. Daffron

Updated 10:51 p.m.

From Nathan West, Buncombe County GOP Chairman:

“We had to do some serious maneuvering to have to replace some candidates in Buncombe County. And it really caused us some significant heartburn to say the least. It really was a situation where we could have lost everything, we could have lost the county. These three gentlemen: two of them will continue to be Buncombe County Commissioners and welcome your new Commissioner Robert Pressley.

“The Democrats were willing to spend millions on statehouse races in this area. We were not able to remove Ager (North Carolina House 115), which means that Buncombe County has zero effective legislators in Raleigh. Since Republicans will maintain control of the N.C. General Assembly, Buncombe County will be isolated. But there are some things we can do. We will use our relationships.” — V. Daffron

Updated 10:44 p.m.

From Congressman Mark Meadows, Republican, 11th district

“[My wife and I] are trying to make the rounds, instead of holding our own event. We are really just trying to reach out and express appreciation to all the volunteers and people who invest in our success every day. We’re going out to Haywood, then Yancey County; if it’s a late night we may even make it to McDowell County after that.

“During this campaign, we tried to focus more on the people than on me or my opponent. I don’t think I’ve mentioned my opponent’s name this entire time. I find if you keep the focus on the people that you serve regardless of party affiliation, that’s when things go the best.

“Key issues tonight:

  • Military and our veterans. We have yet to fix the problems of serving our veterans in the way they should be served.
  • What are we going to do with healthcare? It’s not affordable, and whether you like the affordable care act or you don’t, I can tell you that it is troubling to me to see the premiums rise as much as they have. Most people only have one carrier to pick from, especially here in WNC
  • Job security. Having a low unemployment rate is good for Western North Carolina and bodes well. Making sure people can count on those jobs is another critical component.

“Regardless of [tonight’s] outcome, we still serve and live in the greatest nation on the face of the globe. I’ve been able to be with school teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, those who serve at MANNA Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. They have in common a love for their fellow man and they want to serve others, and we want to take a good note from that and focus on that.” — V. Daffron

Updated 10:39 p.m.

IMG_3269
Congressman Mark Meadows at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3273
Debbie Meadows, second from left, wife of Congressman Mark Meadows, with supporters at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3276
Author Loren Spivack of Massachusetts with some of his satirical political works at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3283
Buncombe GOP chairman Nathan West at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3289
Congressman Mark Meadows at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3292
Republican women at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3294
Dr. Frank Moretz, right, unsuccessful N.C. House 115 candidate, with his son Andy at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3297
Incumbent District 2 Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar (left) gets the news he’s won his race over challenger Nancy Nehls Nelson by around 300 votes from County GOP Chairman Nathan West at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3304
Incumbent District 2 Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar (left) with newly-elected District 2 Commissioner Robert Pressley at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron
IMG_3307
Incumbent District 3 Buncombe County Commissioner Joe Belcher (left), Robert Pressley District 2 Commissioner-elect and incumbent District 2 Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar (right) celebrate victories at Buncombe County Republican gathering at DoubleTree Biltmore in Asheville. Photo by Virginia Daffron

 

John Ager, Democrat incumbent for NC House District 115, won his re-election bid against Republican challenger Frank Moretz.
John Ager, Democrat incumbent for NC House District 115, won his re-election bid against Republican challenger Frank Moretz.
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (center) said she's excited and honored to be serving Buncombe County as a commissioners. The District 1 commissioner candidate is running unopposed.
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (center) said she’s excited and honored to be serving Buncombe County as a commissioners. The District 1 commissioner candidate is running unopposed.
Brian Turner
Brian Turner, “It was hard fought win this year,” the District 116 Democrat incumbent said with a laugh. Turner is running unopposed. Turner is pictured on the right with Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams.

 

It’s Election Day and a number of federal, state and local seats are up for grabs. Xpress will update this page with election results, reactions from candidates, pictures and more. Xpress‘ coverage will focus on the Buncombe County races featured in our voter guide.

For more election coverage and results check out other local media outlets: Asheville Citizen-Times, Carolina Public Press and WLOS.

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About Dan Hesse
I grew up outside of Atlanta and moved to WNC in 2001 to attend Montreat College. After college, I worked at NewsRadio 570 WWNC as an anchor/reporter and covered Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners starting in 2004. During that time I also completed WCU's Master of Public Administration program. You can reach me at dhesse@mountainx.com.

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71 thoughts on “Election results, reactions — with updates throughout the evening

  1. bsummers

    That link to the NC Board site is infected somehow – my browser, & 4 other people all got the same thing – you get a malware attack if you click on it. Be warned. I’ve called the Buncombe and NC Boards, and they are looking into it.

    • Lance

      you should try Apple computers, less malware. NC election site is definitely messed up though

    • Dan Hesse

      Thank you for the head’s up. I’ve linked directly from the NC State Board of Elections. If it is also infected please let me know and I will remove the link entirely.

      • bsummers

        The link that was there was a ‘https’ URL. The one there now, which doesn’t trigger a security warning is not – it’s just ‘http’. Does that mean that there could still be malware on the state site, but our browsers aren’t noticing it, because it’s not trying to verify the security certificate?

        My browser said this:

        er.ncsbe.gov uses an invalid security certificate. The certificate is only valid for the following names: cloudfront.net, *.cloudfront.net

        Mind, you – several other people got this same warning, including the Buncombe County IT department, when they clicked on that same link.

  2. Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

    218 – Clinton
    276 – Trump

    No concession speech yet from Clinton. Coughing fit? Choking harder than Monica Lewinsky? Tough thing to swallow. She could just email her concession. Then she could delete it and claim it never happened.

    • Veteran

      Even after a win Trump supporters are mean-spirited. Shows what they’re made of!

      • Lulz

        LOL, seriously? After nearly a decade of being labeled every name under the sun, I think many really don’t care what you people say anymore. Mean spirited lulz? Because you know, disagreeing with Obama was an automatic racist label from the likes of you. And thankfully most have has their fill of it.

        • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

          We giveth them the three finger salute and a big FU.

          • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

            Three finger salute = take the Boy Scout salute and rotate it vertically 180° and sayeth, “read between the lines”.

          • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

            Oops! Boy Scout SIGN, not salute.

  3. Lulz

    Pay attention democrat goons and cronies. The swamp is about to drained. It’s going to happen here too eventually. Especially as you have a huge population that can’t afford your policies and is tired of being nothing more than your walking wallets while you all live the good life.

  4. The Real World

    Have to admit that I’m surprised. Not at all about the sentiments felt by so many Americans nor by their desire to try to effect change. But the Clinton machine is so vast and corrupt and with the immense assistance of their deep state benefactors, I figured they’d pull it out.

    Frankly, the story is even bigger than it appears because there were so many voting irregularities — vote flipping, ballot stuffing and so many others things. But, even with all of that he still won by a handy margin. And how worthless are the polls? CNN and some others thought they were so clever to consistently over-sample Democrats when polling which — hello! — produced skewed and DISHONEST results.

    Two things learned, with a doubt, in this election are that much of the mainstream media and the DNC are fundamental cheats! The evidence against both is overwhelming and it’s disgusting. I keep reading of people who have cut the cable cord. It is more indication of what Americans have come to understand, detest and reject: the enormous corruption.

    In the next 4 years if Trump can 1) jump start the economy thereby creating more jobs, 2) rejigger our healthcare options, 3) get at least 1 smart, decent person on the Supreme Court, 4) get a handle of the immigration situation — then he will have achieved important things. We shall see.

    But, in the early days we can look forward to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, George Stephanopolous and numerous Hollywood types moving to other countries. They should keep their word, methinks.

    • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

      They gave it everything they’ve got and Trump still won. It would have been a landslide without all of the collusion, illegality and corruption.

    • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

      5) do everything possible to prevent future vote fraud.

  5. Don

    they’re hell-bent and working overtime to steal the governor’s race from Cooper. Question is, will they be allowed to get away with it once they do steal it?

    • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

      OR to make sure that it wasn’t stolen from the other guy.

  6. The Real World

    I thought it relevant to share the below info. Trump won for a number of reasons. But, one which is very, very important is what Obamacare has done to working families and companies. It has put a financial stranglehold on them for those who don’t happen to know that. (as was predicted several years ago, btw)

    Yesterday, while talking to the guy who is currently doing driveway repair/resealing at my house, he informs me that under the current healthcare structure he is paying $2400 a month in premiums for a family of 4! That is just under $29,000 per year. Think about that! He doesn’t qualify for any subsidies because he and his son are hardworking people and earn above those thresholds. Folks, that is truly punishing, wrong and simply will not work over the long term.

    Now, today I read this comment on the NY Times website about the election results. I’m pasting the exact text, no edits:
    Joel Keenan – York, ME 4 hours ago
    A lifelong Democrat, I voted twice for Clinton, twice for Obama. But yesterday I voted for Trump.

    Supporting a family of 5, with 3 kids on the cusp of college, I paid $7,000 per year for a catastrophic care health plan, prior to Obamacare. Next year I’ll have to pay $18,500 per year for essentially the same plan — it has an $11,000 deductible.

    Over $10,000 more per year — that’s what voting Democrat cost my family.
    Our family friend, a Democratic state legislator, said, “Joel, we all have to do our part.”

    Trump was not my first choice. He was my 18th choice. But at least he promises to spare me the breathtaking arrogance of the party that deserted me. End paste.

  7. boatrocker

    I for one am ecstatic at the election results.
    Congrats to the new POTUS.

    – I don’t have to hear others froth at the mouth for mention an experienced female politician potentially in the White House
    – the new guy won’t be ‘coming for your guns’
    -We the people finally will get to hear all these tremendous, awesome and huge specifics of plans to improve the country, so we
    can win bigly
    -I can’t wait to visit the Wall
    -I want to see what the Affordable Health Care Act is replaced with
    -I want to see which of my WNC neighbors will wear his hood and sheets in public first
    -I look forward to warming relations with Russia
    -comedy news shows have beaucoup material now post election
    -I want to see the new guy throw the first pitch out for opening game for baseball and see
    if he throws like a girl
    -I want to see those NY values in action
    -Bestly, I want to see all the other GOP types in Congress who railed on him during campaign then voted or him
    keep a straight face for serving under him as POTUS

    Remember, all those campaign promises made are called promises for a reason.
    Jan 21, 2017 is when we the people demand results, after a day to settle in to the White House, measure the place for drapes, etc.

    • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

      Yeah cankles is experienced alright. She’s experienced at destroying Libya and Syria, the deaths of many hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions, the destruction of Europe from unsustainable immigration, and so much more, And what potential she has for WWIII and nuclear war. So many more millions of deaths and misery for the world! You are idiots are geniuses!

      In summary, a 10 first lady beats a corrupt, criminal cankles POTUS any day!

      • The Real World

        Snowflake – Allow me to say that you are not being a very gracious victor.

        I am so hoping that this will be a beginning of people not being so superficially nasty, as we’ve had quite enough of that from our Divider-in-Chief the last 8 years and all the acolytes who thought him a Prophet and copied his arrogance.

        Be the change. And, I think it’s much more helpful to offer some solid info as to why this choice was made to help people understand it better. Always a good thing.

      • boatrocker

        Classy, as always! You do know she’s not running for office anymore, so your guns and your fear are safe.
        As far as the soon to be First Lady, I really don’t go in for mail order brides, but whatever floats your boat.

  8. boatrocker

    I do like this new kumbaya tone we all have, Real World.
    Between Glen Beck and you playing folk songs on guitar on college campuses quads now, well,
    I doubt any of us will remember the disinformation spread
    for one of the loserist campaigns in a few days. Isn’t revisionism fun?

    Jackie O was an intelligent and articulate fox, by the way, and had the ‘born here’ birth certificate to prove it.
    Just something I heard, a lot of people are saying.

  9. The Real World

    Snowflake – Yea, just what we need…..more self-righteous arrogance. Different day, same crap.

    a) I’m not Republican, old version or otherwise.
    b) Time will tell about the “new” Republicans. We got sold Hope and Change once before and it evidenced itself to be total bunk.

    • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

      It’s not arrogance at all. It’s indignation.

  10. The Real World

    Ok, I do get the anger, very much so. It’s just my preference to try to articulate it so it can be understood by others rather than stooping to their immature levels.

    Then again, I and some others have been trying to communicate much for quite awhile and it does seem to fall on vastly smug and very deaf ears. So, I’ve likely wasted my time. There almost never is adult discussion here. It seems I expect too much.

  11. We Stopped Hillary
    In the wake of Hillary’s massive, unequivocal, humiliating rejection, I was going to write this column on the critical need for us conservatives to have a big group hug and restore the shattered bonds that should unite us, whether #NeverTrump, #NeverHillary or #IHateEveryone. But that can wait. Right now, I have some savoring to do. Let’s see, we have the executive branch, the legislative branch and we’ll be taking back the judicial branch. The mainstream media is in a state of shock. Liberals are having fits. And the ocean is still rising, as one of my Twitter followers observed, only it’s because of liberal tears.
    http://bit.ly/2eFjiGr

    • hauntedheadnc

      You still lost the state and you lost HB2 with it. Savor all you like, but the flavor just won’t be the same without that good ol’ HB2.

      • The state saw overwhelming Republican victories. Most notably, a veto-proof majority in the House and Senate. Did I say veto-proof?

        Moreover, the GOP won historic victories in Council of State races for state treasurer (Dale Folwell), state superintendent of public instruction (Mark Johnson), and insurance commissioner (Mike Causey), while reelecting Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, and Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. And Republicans won all five races for state court of appeals, where most cases get decided.

        I don’t see how HB2 is going anywhere. It is state law and it will not be revisited by the majority-GOP General Assembly. Weird you thought any different.

        But, remember most of all, you now live in Trump country. You, sir, are yesterday. Good riddance.

        • Hauntedheadnc

          Yesterday? Nonsense. I’m tomorrow. Or specifically, I’m the 2018 midterms.

          By all means, take the reins. You’ve all been blaming our side for everything wrong with the world for the past eight years. Now’s your chance to prove yourself. Have fun. You can fix the world?

          Prove it, big boy.

          We’ll still be here to clean up the mess and rebuild when you’ve reduced it all to ashes.

          • Enjoy sitting on the margins and watching the Trump parade clean up your messes. You have fouled the nest and the country will not stand by any longer. Welcome to Trump Country. Good luck, maybe in 2118.

          • huhsure

            “We’ll still be here to clean up the mess and rebuild when you’ve reduced it all to ashes.”

            Unfortunately, that’s their goal: reducing it all to ashes.

          • huhsure

            Your “Trump parade” has no interest in cleaning up messes. You actually think they do?

            I have some property in Texas that’s just primed for a development boom, Tim. Not far from you. I’d love to show ya when you have a moment. It’s an opportunity you’re not gonna want to pass up.

            BTW, when Tim says “fouled the nest,” he means “given THOSE PEOPLE too much power.” Just in case you were wondering.

          • Huhsure

            Does this make you happy, Tim?

            Does this qualify as “cleaning up your messes”?

            bit.ly/2g1Tut1

          • Are you done, o breathless “huhshure”?

            We are glad you could jump in and elevate our conversation. But we really don’t need your input, do we? The election brought sweeping gains for Republicans in North Carolina and nationally. The slow death of the Democrat Party is the result; as shown in this one chart: http://bit.ly/2fD4biF

            You must feel awfully bad right now. I mean, really.

            Congratulations North Carolina General Assembly.
            Congratulations Council of State.
            Congratulations President Trump.

            Now we just need two more conservative Justices appointed by Governor McCrory to the state supreme court — as allowed by the state constitution: http://bit.ly/2fI4hGh

          • Mr. “huhsure”, you may also be interested just of the few policy goals for the Trump Administration:

            –overhaul in immigration policies, including “Building that Wall” , the Trump transition team will “execute on the following ten-point plan to restore integrity to our immigration system, protect our communities, and put America first” – i) Build a Wall on the Southern Border; ii) End Catch-and-Release; iii) Zero Tolerance for Criminal Aliens; iv) Block Funding for Sanctuary Cities; v) Cancel Unconstitutional Executive Orders & Enforce All Immigration Laws; vi) Suspend the Issuance of Visas to Any Place Where Adequate Screening Cannot Occur; vii) Ensure that Other Countries Take Their People Back When We Order Them Deported; viii) Finally Complete the Biometric Entry-Exit Visa Tracking System; ix) Turn Off the Jobs and Benefits Magnet

            –promoting a strong, robust military force to defend against the “threat posed to our nation and our allies by radical ideologies that direct and inspire terrorism.” The administration will push for immediate and sustainable actions to counter the threats posed by radical ideologies; will address the “catastrophic threats posed by nuclear weapons and cyber attacks” and will “ensure our strategic nuclear triad is modernized to ensure it continues to be an effective deterrent, and his Administration will review and minimize our nation’s infrastructure vulnerabilities to cyber threats.”

            –dismantling and replacing of the Dodd-Frank Act financial-sector law with pro-growth policies. This means that banks will be allowed to not only engage in prop trading again, but to invest directly in hedge funds. “The Dodd-Frank economy does not work for working people. Bureaucratic red tape and Washington mandates are not the answer,” says statement on Trump’s official transition website.

            –changing the tax code: policies since President Obama took office “have been blocked in one way or another” by Democratic opposition, the transition website says in section outlining “tax reform/economic vision.” It adds that “a Trump administration tax plan can be summarized as lower, simpler, fairer, and pro-growth.” as the website summarizes “a Trump Administration tax plan can be summarized as lower, simpler, fairer, and pro-growth.”

            –addressing the millions of American jobs that have been lost over the last decade “because of trade deals that do not put Americans first.” The administration will “reverse decades of policies that have pushed jobs out of our country” by making it more desirable for companies to stay, create jobs here, pay taxes here, and rebuild the economy. The new Administration will make it more desirable for companies to stay, create jobs here, pay taxes here, and rebuild our economy. Our workers and the communities that support them will thrive again, as more and more companies compete to set up manufacturing in the U.S., to hire our young people and give them hope and a real shot at prosperity again. America will become, once more, a destination for jobs, production and innovation and will once more show economic leadership in the world.

            –fixing education: Trump will advance policies to support learning-and-earning opportunities at the state and local levels for approximately 70 million school-age students, 20 million post-secondary students, and 150 million working adults, To achieve this, Trump will promote high-quality early childhood, magnet, STEAM or theme-based programs; expansion of choice through charters, vouchers, and teacher-driven learning models; and relief from U.S. Department of Education regulations that inhibit innovation.

            –restructuring US energy policies including ending the “war on coal”: “make full use” of both renewable and tradition energy sources. “America will unleash an energy revolution that will transform us into a net energy exporter, leading to the creation of millions of new jobs, while protecting the country’s most valuable resources –- our clean air, clean water, and natural habitats,” the website says. “The Trump administration is firmly committed to conserving our wonderful natural resources and beautiful natural habitats.” The transition team also vows to open onshore and offshore leasing for federal land and waters for fossil fuel producers, streamline energy permitting, end “war on coal.” The site also pledges “top-down review of all anti-coal regulations issued by the Obama administration.”

            –“Repeal Obamacare” – the Trump administration will work with Congress to repeal Affordable Care Act with replacement that “returns the historic role in regulating health insurance to the states,” according to transition plan released Thursday. Replacement would include promotion of Health Savings Accounts and option to buy insurance across states lines. The transition team also says it will act to “protect innocent human life from conception to natural death, including the most defenseless and those Americans with disabilities” and “modernize Medicare, so that it will be ready for the challenges with the coming retirement of the Baby Boom generation – and beyond.”

            –protect Americans’ constitutional rights: the Trump administration will veto legislation that exceeds Congressional authority, take actions as Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief that are consistent with his constitutional role, and nominate Judges and Supreme Court Justices who are committed to interpreting the Constitution and laws according to their original public meaning. Trump says “he will defend Americans’ fundamental rights to free speech, religious liberty, keeping and bearing arms, and all other rights guaranteed to them in the Bill of Rights and other constitutional provisions.” He hopes to minimize the role of government including the “Tenth Amendment guarantee that many areas of governance are left to the people and the States, and are not the role of the federal government to fulfill.”

          • huhsure

            Oh, Tim. Don’t think that link-fight is a fight you can win.

            bit.ly/2g3gqIp

            bit.ly/2fKenGB

            at.wftv.com/2fqJgyO

            bit.ly/2f0kGEp

            You stand up for the white men, Tim, as you always have. We’ll stand up for everyone else. Deal?

          • huhsure

            Oh, but you saw this coming, didn’t ya, Tim?

            Donald Trump says he is reconsidering his pledge to completely repeal #Obamacare, the Wall Street Journal reports http://bbc.in/2eKWPYk

          • huhsure

            Oh, it must sting a little:

            http://wapo.st/2g4ot7U

            What I love is how easily he was swayed by Obama. Almost like he really didn’t mean anything he said during the election at all.

            I honestly think this result says more about his voters than about him.

          • “Don’t think that link-fight is a fight you can win.”

            Who’s fighting? You lost. Your whole ideology has flatlined nationwide. I’m not fighting, I’m laughing. Still.

          • huhsure

            Of course you’re laughing. I mean, who wouldn’t laugh at children victimized by their racist peers?

            Anyone of character; anyone with a sense of empathy. That’s who.

          • huhsure

            And this: “Who’s fighting? You lost. Your whole ideology has flatlined nationwide.”

            You do know that she received millions more votes than your candidate, right? (I use the word “candidate” reservedly.)

            Hardly flatlining. If you look at it objectively, his numbers have flatlined, relative to her numbers, that keep growing as more votes come in.

            But if you want to see the electoral college as somehow the arbiter of not just the winner, but an indicator of voter enthusiasm, go right ahead. No one will stop ya.

      • Snowflake (Social Justice Worrier)

        HB2 was a big winner. And the governor’s race isn’t over yet. Still ballots to be counted + probable recount.

  12. Don

    Nancy Nelson needs -and has earned the right- to be appointed to the County Commissioner’s Board to fill Brownie’s “vacancy”. (and could she please the drop the NNN thing…. way too many N’s ;) Oh right, she’s not in district 1… who really cares?? Okay, anyone but Terry Bellamy…. we’ve got enough homophobes in office already what with TheRump being our duly elected president (wait, I thought the whole election thing/process was rigged, right? …..funny we haven’t heard TheRump whine about that since the morning after the election ;)

    • The Real World

      Maybe is was rigged, Don. Maybe in Trump’s favor…..how can you know?

      But, the reality is, and anyone paying attention to any media other than the numerous lapdogs that were slobbering for HRC, is that there were LOTS of irregularities. Vote flipping on machines in many states (I never read of any flipping from Clinton to Trump), ballot stuffing, VA Gov (big friend of the Clintons) finally managing to get 60,000 convicted felons the right to vote (after he had attempted for 200,000). Gee I wonder who they voted for? And more……….

      People yapping about how Clinton won the popular vote. Well, maybe…but maybe not. If all the fraudulent stuff could be reconciled it would be nice to know where the popular vote actually fell.

      • boatrocker

        Short of letting all the wackjob altright conspiracy nuts count every single vote in America personally, what would it take to convince those that the HRC did not rig the election? If they did, wouldn’t the results have been slightly different and not a sound electoral trumping?

        I predict the same wackos will complain when McCrory is offically not governor after losing to Cooper. Right now the numbers are Cooper’s 2,281,155 to McCrory’s 2,276,383 with Cooper 4,772 ahead.

        But of course even with NC’s voting laws according to Don Yelton designed to disenfranchise Dems, the Dems are ahead by more of a margin than the contested 2000 Presidential race even after a recount. Conspiracy! Conspiracy!

        As usual, NC lag behind the country in simple matters like announcing a new Governor. It’s like we’re stuck on an old episode of the Jerry Springer Show or something.

        Yea, voter fraud when they lose, business as usual when they don’t.

        • The Real World

          “what would it take to convince those that the HRC did not rig the election? ” — she did, you half-wit! (Her tactics weren’t good enough)

          Ask Bernie Sanders how he feels about the tactics used in the Primary. Ask other Democrats who were elbowed out of running in the first place. How about Donna Brazile and John Harwood of CNN who funneled her campaign inside information. And lots more media collusion! Much vote flipping in her favor with, no doubt, most of it not caught.

          The list goes on and on but you wouldn’t know b/c you’re living on Mars. Pls go back to your aliens friends and leave us alone here on Earth.

          • Huhsure

            You can try to justify the triumph of a racist, misogynist, ableist xenophobe con man any way you like. But the truth is that people voted for a racist, misogynist, ableist xenophobe con man. And… AND… they think he’s gonna do right by them.

          • boatrocker

            I think the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders calls that the good ol Persecution Complex.

            (Mr. Burns from the Simpsons laugh), “Bwaaahhhh haa haa, soon our sleeper agent HRC will subvert the entire worlds’ free press, undermine an election and seize power! Bwaaah haaaa haaa!

          • The Real World

            Huhsure – Looks like you should join boatrocker on Mars.

            I made zero reference to Trump, the topic was about Clinton and her corrupt ways. You have made enormous assumptions and/or your reading comprehension is lousy. Time to grow up.

          • huhsure

            Hillary Clinton won more votes. In the primary. In the general.

            Get over it. Whatever side you’re on.

  13. boatrocker

    Surprise Real World- the same rules of discourse apply even after a victory by the insane- one who asserts something
    (HRC rigging an election that she lost) still has the onus of providing objective and relevant sources to back that assertion up without a shadow of a doubt,
    otherwise is labelled a wingnut.

    Let’s play a game called Real World (RW) vs Reality (R) and using RW’s own statements:
    RW- HRC rigged the election
    R- How
    RW- voter flipping, ballot stuffing and so many other things
    R- any citations for that?
    RW- …..but there is almost never adult conversation here- it seems I expect too much
    R- what about the female Trump voter charged with voter fraud in VA who admitting to wanting to vote twice?
    RW- sputter…Deep State plant? – professional agitator? Media is rigged? VA gove letting 60,00 felons vote?
    R- you mean 60,00 non violent offenders mainly imprisoned for low level drug offenses?
    Do you know for a fact that any of them voted or who they voted for?
    RW- Who do you think they voted for?
    R- So in conclusion, though HRC had the rigged media bury any stories of voter fraud, some still appeared only through the diligent effort of someone like you who provided no citations for his assertions? And despite HRC’s campaign being the most bigly evil, corrupt and powerful force of badity in the world, she couldn’t manage to rig a simple election after pulling the world’s strings for 30 years? And we should simply take your word for it for things you’ve heard?
    RW- Soros! Alinsky! sputter Deep state sputter
    R- and remember kids, this is your brain on altright.

  14. The Real World

    Oh this is too good not to pass on. In addition to all the fools stomping in streets around America like shrieking toddlers throwing tantrums.

    Here’s how an illustrious institution of higher education is “helping” their toddlers COPE:
    Administrators at the University of Pennsylvania reportedly provided students upset over the results of Tuesday’s presidential election with emotional support puppies, coloring books, and chocolate.

    The news was relayed by Penn student Daniel Tancredi, who told The College Fix that students at the Ivy League university were being coddled by administrators this week in response to Donald Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s presidential election.

    “There were actual cats and a puppy there,” Tancredi told The College Fix. “There were sheets of paper available with black and white printed designs on them for students to color in. Essentially they looked like pages from a coloring book that were printed from a computer. They all had positive feel-good messages on them. Students colored them in with colored pencils.”

    As a result of being distraught, Tancredi claims that students avoided talking about the election, as many of them were too shaken by the outcome.

    OMG, parents fronting the annual nut for their kid to attend that Ivy League school must be croaking. It’s college, not kindergarten!

    • luther blissett

      “Here’s how an illustrious institution of higher education is “helping” their toddlers COPE:”

      Or maybe you’re just quoting the same BS “news” sources from your deludled Facebook filter bubble that managed to elect a dilettante fascist,

      We do know that actual news sources reported multiple racist incidents on Penn’s campus, and that Penn’s administrators issued statements condemning them. But hey, lean into fascism, won’t you? Get that armband all perky. It’ll be a pity when your Dear Leader has a cardiac event once he learns what the job entails, but you’ve signed on to do the dirty work.

      • The Real World

        Did you attend U Penn? You’re speaking like one of the offended toddlers.
        …. I don’t use the time-waste that is Facebook. Big assumption on your part.
        …. You seem to lack the maturity to speak of the issue presented. Coloring books and therapy puppies for adult-age adolescents….LOL
        …. And instead, as usual, you attack the messenger. As if that alters reality and is always the sign someone with a poor argument.
        … Again, as usual, the “tolerant, inclusive” crowd evidences themselves to be anything but.

        Apparently, you’ve learned nothing from this week and your lack of humility is intact. Same s*#t, different day.

        • luther blissett

          “Coloring books and therapy puppies for adult-age adolescents….LOL”

          Again, you believe whatever schitt suits your prejudice. Lean in, lean in.

          • boatrocker

            I’d like to thank The Real World and other wacky altright conspiracist types for repeatedly obsessing over
            their Jewish boogeymen Alinsky and Soros.

            I suppose AM radio and websites listed as belonging to
            hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center where many altright posters get their
            brainwarshin’ done serve a positive purpose if you turn them on their heads.

            They’ve encouraged me during the past election to read up further on both Alinsky’s and Soros’
            positive contributions to late 20th century American culture. I found their works both inspiring
            and uplifting.

            I hope to utilize their ideas and to turn
            others on to the tremendous possibilities of
            hope and change during the next 4 years.

            My therapy puppy recently told me
            some swamps just can’t be drained, for their waters run too deep.
            Good dog.

          • The Real World

            Alot of people still crying it seems and trolling the internet in an attempt to attack “the bad guys” who made me hurt. :o(

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