Chris Cooper
@chriscooperwcu
Followers
7,547
Following
3,424
Media
1,774
Statuses
10,456
Political Science Professor @wcu . Writes & teaches about U.S., state & southern politics, #ncpol , #nc11 , elections, etc. Sometimes 🚴♀️⛰️🎶. Usual disclaimer.
Western North Carolina #828
Joined June 2011
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Yemen
• 421240 Tweets
اليمن
• 420769 Tweets
Feliz Día
• 232877 Tweets
اسرائيل
• 228358 Tweets
Tel Aviv
• 226009 Tweets
Yoro
• 130450 Tweets
Pete
• 116369 Tweets
Houthis
• 84393 Tweets
Perez
• 83018 Tweets
Angela
• 80578 Tweets
Oriana
• 56717 Tweets
#الحديده
• 49655 Tweets
Amad
• 48933 Tweets
ISIS
• 48790 Tweets
Hodeidah
• 45785 Tweets
Grand Rapids
• 44864 Tweets
Checo
• 41401 Tweets
Dybala
• 38538 Tweets
#نرفض_استمرار_لودي
• 32398 Tweets
Sancho
• 31472 Tweets
McLaren
• 28683 Tweets
Nestor
• 28165 Tweets
Antony
• 26474 Tweets
LIA BLOSSOMS AT 24
• 23222 Tweets
Red Bull
• 20722 Tweets
البحر الاحمر
• 18450 Tweets
Sacha
• 14660 Tweets
#dursunözbekistifa
• 11306 Tweets
AMISTAD FURIOSA
• 11221 Tweets
Laura Loomer
• 10470 Tweets
Erden Timur
• 10078 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
3 ways to pre-order Anatomy of a Purple State
For those who like to keep it local:
For those who shop at Whole Foods:
For those who like a good discount (Use code 01SOCIAL30 @ checkout to save 30%)
#ncpol
4
5
18
My brother Peter Cooper passed away last night after suffering a head injury late last week.
I miss him already
🧵
149
16
491
While all of NC Twitter is upset about the changes to the Harris Teeter logo, those of us in Sylva are holding steady w/ an
@InglesAdvantage
sign that was designed when the Braves were in Milwaukee and Eisenhower was in the White House.
22
14
370
My mother passed away on December 26 of complications from ovarian cancer.
She was a terrific human being and an even better mom.
101
4
337
When I was in college, I overslept for a Psychology midterm.
I woke up, ran to the professor's office & threw myself on the mercy of the court. He said "no penalty, but if you're ever a professor, remember this moment and do the same."
Dr. Hatcher: I am happy to report, I did.
10
15
313
Random, moderately interesting
#ncpol
fact:
More NC registered voters were born in New York than in TN, SC & GA combined.
30
52
297
New
@JasonIsbell
song Cast Iron Skillet pulls off the
@JohnPrineMusic
magic trick— Each verse is a different scene & the chorus doesn’t seem directly connected. But put it together & it hits like a tightly wound short story that makes you pay attention. Like Storm windows, 2023.
9
10
255
Today is the beginning of my 21st year of teaching
@WCU
. Campus is bigger, tuition’s cheaper and my hair is grayer, but otherwise it feels about the same.
And that’s a good thing.
15
3
238
Former Henderson County Sheriff (Cawthorn’s home county) apologizes for supporting him 🔽. Important development in
#nc11
.
#ncpol
@chriscooperwcu
Too late to include retired Henderson Sheriff Erwin's apology to the District in the piece, I guess.
0
16
68
11
81
227
Calling for the 25th, misspelling the VPs name, and quoting Treasure Island all in the same letter--that's threading a special kind of needle.
#nc11
#ncpol
GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn sent a letter to VP Kamala Harris, cc'd to the rest of the presidential line of succession, urging them to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden:
847
299
1K
25
52
229
“Asheville Watchdog has found 12 motor-vehicle violations in North Carolina and three other states since Cawthorn became a licensed driver, most of which haven’t been reported before.”
@AvlWatchdog
doing what they do best.
#nc11
#ncpol
10
104
214
There are still >750K people in
#wnc
whose primary connection to the federal government is Madison Cawthorn--a Rep who is apparently gone (see 🔽)
Despite the attention over Cawthorn's antics, the effects of (lack of) representation on people's lives often gets lost
#nc11
#ncpol
31
68
218
$13,951! THAT’S WHAT WE PAY STATE LEGISLATORS IN NORTH CAROLINA! THAT’S LESS THAN I SPENT AT COOK OUT LAST SUMMER. IT’S NO WONDER THAT WE CAN’T GET MORE GOOD PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE.
16
18
216
I had always assumed that by the time I reached my mid-40s, I would no longer laugh inappropriately every time I saw the Gaffney Peach.
I was wrong.
21
13
208
Excited that my book manuscript, Anatomy of a Purple State: A North Carolina Politics Primer, was approved by the Board of
@UNC_Press
and is scheduled for the Fall 2024 catalog
Grateful to
@Lucas_Church
, the reviewers, & the team at the press for getting it to this point.
#ncpol
20
17
205
Florida man: Madison Cawthorn, denied NC reelection, confirms move to Sunshine State
by
@dani__battaglia
#nc11
#ncpol
41
40
190
Digging the cover for my new book--coming this Fall from
@UNC_Press
👀⬇️
This is also a good time to 🙏 the amazing copyeditors who, in addition to helping me cite wonky data stuff, had to correct my spelling of Pee-wee Herman & pickleball & fact ✔️ a Bob Dylan reference
#ncpol
20
21
198
#ncpol
fact that doesn't get enough attention:
Democrats are the largest group of registered voters in incorporated places (within town/city limits) in NC
Democrats are the smallest group of registered voters* in unincorporated places (outside of town/city limits) in NC
1/2
13
27
193
Dragged the 10 year old to a political event.
Event organizer: “what do you think about politics?”
10 year old: “politics is where happiness goes to die.”
13
11
176
I regret to announce that I’ve reached “this tip-off is far too late; don’t these people have to work?” years old
I am concerned that this may soon lead to after dinner coffee years old.
Which I presume will be an easy transition to “these kids don’t know good music” years old.
14
4
156
.
@JudgeBobOrr
’s Twitter account has been suspended for something he tweeted about the NCAA.
Never thought the NCAA was that touchy.
30
30
144
Best teaching advice I ever got (final exam edition):
Me: A student completed the course, but got a 58% (F). They can't graduate w/o a passing grade. What should I do?
Senior faculty member: there's nothing better in this world than a happy D.
14
6
145
P.S.A. to anyone parachuting into
#ncpol
for Super Tuesday: the presidential primary is the least interesting, least competitive, & least important item on the primary ballot today.
It’s a loooong ballot in the Old North State-& it gets more interesting the farther down you get.
5
18
143
🙏 to all journalists who put bill numbers in their stories.
🙏🙏 to all journalists who put bill numbers + direct links to bills in their stories.
3
19
130
Thanks to everyone who came out last night to celebrate the life of my brother, Peter Cooper.
It was a beautiful evening—joyful, sad, and healing.
And I’d to think that somewhere Peter is doubled over in laughter that my remarks followed Emmylou Harris.
7
5
124
I will add a link or two to this thread over the next few days, but for now I’ll just link to this obituary from Dave Poulson at the Tennessean
Now go give someone you love a hug. I know I will.
22
9
126
Good morning from Clay County, NC. 5.5 hours away from Raleigh and there’s still another county in the state West of here.
9
4
122
My brother Peter was inducted into the Spartanburg Music Trail last year. His marker was unveiled this week & we saw it today. A beautiful tribute.
Thanks to
@BakerMaultsby
@kudzutelegraph
& the Spartanburg arts community for making it happen.
5
10
116
6. (I know I said 5, but 🤷): Attacking sitting members of Cawthorn's own party was a bad idea & resulted in massive spending against him. This can be summarized by the 6th law of
#ncpol
: don't piss off Thom Tillis.
5
5
111
And…this Twitter thread is over w a sad ending. Cancelled in Chicago. No flights till Sunday.
1000 flights cancelled.
Cheapest flight tomorrow is $5800
I will return to tweeting politics next week.
21
2
108
"Josh Stein is not another Roy Cooper; he's a Gavin Newsom"
-Mark Walker in the NCGOP Gov. debate.
#ncpol
26
23
108
11
40
107
Say what you want about the Governor of NC, but he’s got an awfully nice second home.
15
6
105
Nobel Peace Prize recipient, husband, father, President, Governor, and half of the first tandem open boat run of Bull Sluice.
Thinking about Jimmy Carter, his family and his legacy.
8
5
105
A few people have asked “what the heck is Moore v Harper & what did they decide?” This 🧵 is for them. If you're already in the weeds, keep scrolling. Nothing to see here.
With that, a nuance free summary of Moore v Harper:
5
36
106
22 of teaching at
@WCU
kicks off today.
Think it’s possible I might not be junior faculty anymore.
2
2
102
"Madison Cawthorn finally sets a date to meet local Jewish community. The only problem: five of the six Jewish leaders slated to be on the call with Cawthorn weren’t informed of the meeting" -
@matthewkassel
#nc11
#ncpol
18
53
100
Yet another sign that Georgia is not NC: eating a chicken sandwich at a barbecue joint in NC would be a recipe for defeat here (or would at least lead to an endless news cycle about barbecue & politics).
757
127
2K
15
10
100
You might think there is nothing more to learn about Madison Cawthorn but that’s b/c you haven’t read this
@michaelkruse
story
70 interviews, compelling writing & a story written w/ empathy. Learn who Cawthorn is & how he got this way
#nc11
#ncpol
16
38
97
Getting excited about teaching southern politics this semester.
11
1
97
Rare non-politics/non-music/non-outdoors Tweet: 1 unexpected benefit of switch to online public school has been that I get to watch every teacher in my kid's grade teach every day. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm even more impressed with public ed. in NC than I was before
2
20
93
If you happen to have $22 burning a hole in your pocket & a hankering to learn more about
#ncpol
, my book, Anatomy of a Purple State: A NC Politics Primer (
@UNC_Press
), is now available for pre-order at that mom & pop store, Amazon dot com ⬇️
18
31
97
Thanks to the poll workers and election administrators who are helping make Super Tuesday happen in
#ncpol
& in 14 other states.
2
13
97
I’m at the Great Wolf Lodge w my kids. I am surrounded by people wearing swim suits, wolf ears, and flip flops. And I just asked the server about the short ribs.
I have officially lost all perspective.
13
0
95
Following the 2024 NC gubernatorial election requires us to hold two seemingly contradictory things in our heads at the same time: (1) The NC gubernatorial election is among the most important elections in the country, (2) the NC Governor is extremely weak
A wonky
#ncpol
🧵
5
23
92
That RFK Jr ad...I don't even know what to say.
Like if School House Rocks and Artificial Intelligence had a baby. A baby that had no chance to win, but a baby nonetheless.
14
4
94
It’s springtime in the South so I’m obligated by the laws of Waffle House and okra to post a picture of a blooming azalea in my yard and a link to this
@BitterSouth
photo essay:
3
3
93
The thing my brother did better than most was to gather people together and help them create something beautiful
So, we are going to do just that-this time in his honor
If you were Peter’s friend, or moved by his words or music, you are invited
It’s going to be pretty special.
7
11
91
Inspired by the events of the last 24 hours, I hereby offer a new hashtag to the
#ncpol
world:
#ncwtf
Think of it as the Twitter analog to
@NCGA_FUBAR
Incumbent member of Congress inexplicably changes districts?
#ncwtf
Bribery scandal in an IHOP bathroom?
#ncwtf
Enjoy
9
8
92
Come for the spectacle of a sitting Senator (Ben Sasse) calling a sitting House member of the same party (Marjorie Taylor Greene) "coockoo for Coco Puffs." Stay for Sasse's thoughts on the future of the Republican Party
8
20
89
@celebrityhottub
Before going to the beach, I watched a dozen or so YouTube videos about sand castle building. Then I spent $50 on supplies at Lowes & descended onto the beach looking like I was abt to renovate a bathroom. Damned if we were going to be bested by that family w a Clemson flag again
2
0
89
T.I.L. The smallest building ever used as a U.S post office is in Jackson County, N.C.
10
10
90
Not too shabby if you ask me.
Pretty much identical to the picture.
19
0
87
NYC may have the Macy's parade w/ its 6-story high balloons & superstars, but I just got back from the Sylva parade & watched a guy dressed like Uncle Eddie ride on top of a septic truck while the crowd yelled "Merry Xmas, sh*tter's full."
So yeah, I feel good about my choices.
3
4
85
Peter was a worldbeater--a songwriter, dad, author, singer, teacher, Grammy nominee, husband, journalist, son, speechwriter, brother, producer, friend, historian, uncle, & a fierce advocate for the people & art he loved.
He lived a hell of a life.
3
4
86
17
14
80
More mail from ResultsforNC. He’s Gone Charlotte.
If we don’t watch out, soon he’ll be drinking hazy IPAs from
@HeistBrewery
and following
@JoeBrunoWSOC9
on Twitter.
#nc11
#ncpol
8
8
82
The phrase Murphy to Manteo has served NC well since 1876.
But maybe it's time for a new West-East shorthand.
I propose Hothouse to Hatteras: an Old North State longitudinal descriptor for a new generation (trademark not pending)
23
3
85
Was organizing some pics from my brother the other day and reminded what a weird, fun, full life he led.
Pic w Taylor Swift next to one w/ Rick Hall & the Swampers. I mean…
6
0
84
No way that anyone in
#ncpol
can gain attention this week with the Duke-UNC game coming up.
I mean, to get coverage in this environment you'd have to mention geriatric orgies or key bumps of cocaine.
Surely that would never happen.
7
4
81
Just got out of my first session of poll worker training.
If I had a magic wand to improve trust in elections, I would require everyone to sit w the people in their community who are doing this work (Rep & Dem) & learn the process from the inside.
6
8
82
Love this explainer about what to expect on election night.
Hard to make me laugh in an information packed process based article, but
@will_doran
pulled it off.
2
20
83
4. Cawthorn ran a national campaign for a district office. He didn’t do traditional ad buys on WLOS & other local outlets. He closed district offices during the campaign & he didn’t show up for debates in the last stretch. His messaging was about $, not votes.
3
8
81
Me: The weather's awful nice, maybe I'll squeeze out for a quick bike ride
Universe: here's a 211 page court decision on Voter ID in NC. Oh, and Madison Cawthorn is trending (again).
7
1
79
NC counties included:
#ncpol
The DOJ announced it will monitor polls in 24 states for compliance with federal voting rights laws during tomorrow's midterms.
11
25
64
5
37
79
Sure hope I don’t need to do any home improvement projects this summer, because after seeing this, I’m not setting foot in my shop for at least 6 months.
29
0
80