In many ways the Republicans are still "waving the bloody shirt" For many  in the South the Civil War is still not over. Candidate for governor Mark Robinson said he would bring back a limited for of slavery. My own brother, who has become after thirty years in the hinterlands what we call redneck hates Governor Cooper because he removed three Confederate statues in Raleigh.

In 1876 we really did have a stolen election. The Republicans Pulled out all the stops and filled their suitcases with money to buy and bribe so they would win. Poor Samuel Tilden could have mounted a strong challenge but he was too much of a gentleman and let Ohio Henry Hayes play the compromise, the political patsy. I wonder how he slept.

Most Americans were clueless. Well, NOT this time!