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Michael Bitzer

@bowtiepolitics.bsky.social

3.1K followers 590 following 580 posts

Professor of Politics & History; Director, @ncpolitics.bsky.social. Manager, Old North State Politics blog (@oldnorthstpolitics.bsky.social). Interested in NC politics, Southern US politics, & US Politics.

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · Nov 15

From a national reporter who emailed me: “You have a very exciting state (North Carolina #ncpol).”

My response:

a man in a suit and tie is talking to another man with the words oh you have no idea behind him

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is talking to another man with the words oh you have no idea behind him

media.tenor.com

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Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 13h

40% of Republicans & 85% of Democrats say Trump has improperly encouraged federal investigations of political opponents.

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Reuters @reuters.com · 1d

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

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Reuters @reuters.com · 1d

BREAKING: Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 reut.rs/42uh3Aw

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Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 1d

#ncpol #wncpol #nc11

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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 1d

"no credible evidence that there is danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois."

It's mind boggling than in 2025 a federal judge in Chicago just uttered these words in court case between against the President of the United States. My god.

Perry: "I have seen no credible evidence that there is danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois."

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 1d

“A federal judge on Thursday blocked President Trump from federalizing or deploying National Guard members to Illinois for at least two weeks, saying continuing to militarize the response to local protests was likely to cause civil unrest.”

Via @wsj.com

Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 1d

#ncpol

WUNC News @wunc.org · 1d

AP reports: The leader of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is set to join the state legislature. Robeson County Republican Party committee members unanimously recommended John Lowery on Tuesday to fill a state House seat most recently held by his brother.

www.wunc.org/term/news/20...

Lumbee leader to join North Carolina statehouse as tribe's federal recognition push gains attention

The leader of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is set to join the state legislature. Robeson County Republican Party committee members unanimously recommended John Lowery on Tuesday to fill a state ...

www.wunc.org

Reposted by Michael Bitzer

Lee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 1d

Not much left-wing violence in America, apparently.
(If you trust The Economist, that socialist rag.)
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING NEWS:

Since the dawn of cellular technology, my Silent Generation father has had a flip phone.

Never could pry it out of his hands.

"I don't need anything other than answering calls. That's it."

Today at noon from my mother:

"Don’t faint...Dad got a new phone that is not flip!!!!"

a man in a suit and tie is dancing .

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is dancing .

media.tenor.com

Reposted by Michael Bitzer

Rachel Porter @rachelporter.bsky.social · 1d

Just published at PNAS (@pnas.org): “Electing amateur politicians reduces cross-party collaboration”

We show that districts electing first-time members of the U.S. House experience substantial declines in bipartisan representation in the subsequent Congress.

🧵1/4

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FiftyPlusOne.news @fiftyplusone.news · 1d

new polls website just dropped fiftyplusone.news

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John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 1d

I might end up talking about this graph all day.

I think one thing Dems need to realize is that "Americans" are not buying into the "cities on fire" lies of this admin.

It's JUST Republicans. So if you're a governor of a solidly blue state, or a blue-city mayor, the national story is NOT YOURS.

Gallup poll showing a wild divergence in "is crime rising" over the past two years, w GOP at 90, independents at 68, Dems at 29.

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 1d

Today’s stellar student reaction to the chapters we’re discussing from “Predisposed: The Left, the Right, and the Biology of Political Differences”:

“Honestly, it seems like there is no hope for any cooperation if both sides are SO DIFFERENT. I need this book to offer some hope…please.”

Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 8d

My Polarization in Politics class is starting this book today—will be very interested to see what connections to current events are made to Table 2.1.

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Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 2d

To save #ncpol a few clicks this AM ⤵️

The #ncga does have the power to remove sitting legislators, but there is no set, clear process to governing the rules or the criteria.

Essentially, they create new rules every time they want to do it.

a 4 post 🧵

Keung Hui @keunghui.bsky.social · 2d

North Carolina lawmaker Cecil Brockman charged with taking indecent liberties with child. He is also facing a statutory rape charge of a minor who is 15 or younger. Brockman, a Democrat, is currently serving his 6th term in NC House. (Via Avi Bajpal) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol #ncga

NC lawmaker Cecil Brockman charged with taking indecent liberties with child

State Rep. Cecil Brockman was arrested by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

www.newsobserver.com

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Center for NC Politics & Public Service @ncpolitics.bsky.social · 2d

This week's newsletter from the Center is now out, and you can read it at: myemail.constantcontact.com/Together-We-...

And sign up for the distribution list!

#ncpol

Together We Can: Overcoming Political Polarization

Email from Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service Discover Bipartisan Solutions for a Divided Nation. Several North Carolina cities held municipal elections yesterday (10-7-25). Find out

myemail.constantcontact.com

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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 2d

For one, the federal government cannot constitutionally commandeer state officials to do its bidding.

But more importantly, the president does not see his political opposition as legitimate but rather as a target for a carceral and militaristic state. It is deeply undemocratic and authoritarian.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 2d

I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?

Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.

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Brad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · 3d

Stop and read this deep dive on TikTok and how it's consuming much more than hours of our time.

One user: "It was harder for me to create my own opinions, it was harder for me to express my own thoughts in the day, and I think that took a toll with me."

www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 3d

"A frequently asked questions document on the White House’s website had said as of Sept. 30 that “both furloughed and excepted employees will be paid retroactively.” However, the document was quietly amended Friday to take out the reference to the 2019 law."

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Federal workers not entitled to back pay after shutdown, budget office says

Federal workers may not be entitled to backpay after the government shutdown ends, the Trump administration’s budget office wrote in a new draft memo obtained by The Washington Post, ratcheting up ten...

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Michael Bitzer

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 7d

The unitary executive theory puts all the power of the executive branch in the hands of one person. That is a problem when he is unaware of some pretty big decisions being made by his underlings.

Dan Saltzstein @dansaltzstein.bsky.social · 7d

“Mr. Trump was first told of the cuts by Ms. Hochul during a phone call on Sunday evening, according to three people with knowledge of the conversation.”

Trump Administration Reverses $187 Million in N.Y. Counterterrorism Cuts

www.nytimes.com

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 8d

My Polarization in Politics class is starting this book today—will be very interested to see what connections to current events are made to Table 2.1.

Reposted by Michael Bitzer

Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 8d

We (Western Carolina University) are hiring for an assistant professor in American politics (w/ focus on & willingness to teach the Presidency, & Congress). Review of applications begins Oct. 15.

jobs.wcu.edu/postings/31915

Good colleagues, good students, good views. Reach out w/ ?s.

#polisky

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Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 8d

Link to the memo regarding the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education":

htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/compac...

htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com

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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 8d

But see, Article I.

nicholaswu12.bsky.social @nicholaswu12.bsky.social · 8d

Thune warns Democrats about Russ Vought: ‘We don’t control what he’s going to do’

The @jordainc.bsky.social interview:

www.politico.com/live-updates...

Thune warns Democrats about Russ Vought: ‘We don’t control what he’s going to do’

The Senate majority leader spoke out as some Republicans express qualms about the White House slash-and-burn campaign.

www.politico.com

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The Upshot @upshot.nytimes.com · 8d

The concerns about the health of the political system have overtaken other issues.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...

Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says

www.nytimes.com

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Center for NC Politics & Public Service @ncpolitics.bsky.social · 8d

Yesterday's inaugural Lunch & Learn was a great success and enjoyed having Tim Heaphy discuss his thoughts on "Defending Democracy."

You can watch the webinar at: youtu.be/-SUaaBYKvto

Or listen on a podcast at: open.spotify.com/episode/1tWJ...

or www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

#ncpol

"Lunch & Learn" about Defending Democracy with Tim Heaphy

YouTube video by Center for NC Politics & Public Service

youtu.be