Nifong

So now the rich parents of the kids wrongly accused in the Nifong case (see how the emphasis has shifted) now want $300 from every citizen of the City of Durham. Nifong has a symbolic 24 hours behind bars -- more time that Scooter Libby will ever do for a crime for which Alberto Gonzales should be charged but won't because Democratic Congressmen are not as vindictive as the parents of rich white jocks.

Seems like all the media rats are jumping off the tarnished Nifong ship. The Charlotte Observer today joins the frenzy for "investigating the investigator." Nifong has undoubtedly screwed up big time, but shouldn't we wait until the frickin' trial takes place before we take down the district attorney?

Dan Blue is claiming to have locked up a majority of the Black Caucus, and also says Bill Faison has dropped out of the race to back him. Faison never had a shot, but its interesting that he supports Blue instead of his Orange County colleague, Joe Hackney. I was kind of hoping Blue would pass on Speaker and hold out to challenge Elizabeth Dole in 2008. I suppose he could do both, though if he gets the Speaker job, it's going to be a sh*tstorm that will make nobody look good.

One happy blessing of the holiday season is that the Puppets are on vacation and haven't darkened with Internets with more of their "reports" for a couple of days. Thank goodness for small pleasures.

And just a reminder. Congressman Brad Miller will be visiting on Thursday morning for a live-blogging session. You can get your questions in early, but be sure to join for the big event too. We had a session with Elizabeth Edwards last month, and it was a blast.

www.newsobserver.com/114/story/502352.html

The N&O has poll results today for a variety of local issues, including the Durham DA race (Nifong will win), the Wake County school bonds (the bonds will fail), and general feelings about the state legislature, Congress, and other local issues. Interesting stuff.