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archived: 30 Jan - 5 Feb, 2005 Back Next UPDATED: FEBRUARY 3, 2005
CHARLES GREGORY Junkie: TPJ has a number of Republican readers; we are honored to have them and welcome their contributions to TPJ. Gregory describes himself as a “Raleigh Republican Precinct grunt.” TPJ has received a number of letters from Republicans commenting on TPJ’s coverage of the bipartisan coalition governing the North Carolina State House. TPJ’s prior articles on the subject can be found here:
ISOLATING RADICAL REPUBLICANS Gregory has graciously agreed to share his views with TPJ readers. Gregory wrote the letter below to the reporter at the Fayetteville Observer in response to an article appearing in that paper. __________ Your Thursday's story: Moore's Morgan gets role as lesser leader in house had this delicious quote: Critics within the Republican Party have accused Morgan of being a turncoat. "The two-party system exists for a reason, to have vigorous debate," said Rep. John Rhodes, a Republican from Mecklenburg County. "This is a terrible day for North Carolina." He said Morgan's new position is essentially "a code word for supporting bigger government and doing the Democrats' bidding." Warm thanks for interviewing and quoting a Republican! Another House Republican leader described Morgan's position as “riding shotgun to try to pin down the real Republicans!” Please suffer this bit of history as an example of both debate and unity: "Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."
- John Adams (1735-1826) American statesman (2nd US president: 1797-1801) (Letter to Mrs. Adams, July 3, 1776.) Maybe it is provocative to describe for your readers the mechanism of that Wednesday’s vote [in the North Carolina State House]: no debate allowed, minority rights denied. "Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate." - Hubert Humphrey. The railroad passed through Rep. Rhodes and the other 19 honorable Republicans. A majority vote can make red blue. Thanks, too, for giving readers a chance to see Fat Richard's narcissism in flagrant display! Sir Winston, magniloquent monomaniac Morgan, in praise of HisOwnSelf. Like, establishing his legacy? Barf! [Rep. Morgan stated:] "The position "is creative, unprecedented, and it's got some teeth behind it" "Today, as a new session starts, we write another chapter in the history of modern coalition government." Er, has there ever been a time in American government without 'coalitions'? Morgan also stated: "It is historically appropriate, I believe, that the chamber of government closest to the people of North Carolina reflects the political landscape of our state." In fact, the “political landscape” of our state is denied; we're a conservative state and state government is an anomaly, thanks to the Morgan 5 who denied Republicans House control in 2002 when voters elected Republicans as a majority. Morgan also stated: "In 2002, 89 out of 120 members voted to make me co-speaker. Two years have passed, and now we had 100 out of 120 members." Recall he was elected in 2002 & 2004 by Democrats; turkeys of a feather . . Morgan also stated: "Today we had a decisive majority of the Republican Caucus. The important thing is the strength in the numbers." Some Republicans hope that infamous Wednesday vote will move Republican House members to join the Honorable 20 – so that honest Republicans will work to provide positive, constructive alternatives to the old politics-as-usual which last session saddled our State with tax hikes, out of control spending and a $1.3 Billion budget gap. Never mind happy talk from Democrats, RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) and the Democrat-complicit media, elated over egregious income redistribution. Lord, give us some gridlock, controversy, mucho debate. You also noted: The number of Republicans supporting the coalition has also increased from 29 in 2002 to 37 Wednesday. I'm just a grassroots Republican who thinks the vote may not be for “supporting the coalition,” but only for the travesty itself, i.e., vote for Speaker and Pro Tem. Time of course will tell if the 37 Republicans become de facto Democrats, like Rep. Morgan and the original Gang of 5 who were joined by a few other RINOs last session (like JoKer Kiser). In which case one expects the 2006 primary will feature Republican infighting, divisions, disunity; yada yada. Er, what elections are all about? You know, like Turlington, Meek ;-) _____________________________________________ SENATE BILL 2 & HOUSE BILL 20 Last week, TPJ noted that Democrats in the NC State House had reached a bipartisan arrangement with moderate Republicans that effectively isolated the radical Republicans. – Isolating Radical Republicans Republicans are still reeling from the defection of 27 from their Party to establish the bipartisan agreement as evidenced by this email circulating among Republicans: Officially, North Carolina's Republicans enjoy a unique "coalition" with House Democrats. Like "Bi-Partisan," we've learned the hard way what the Democrat Dictionary means by "coalition."
Loosely translated into American English, both these terms mean "Be reasonable...do it our way," or "provide us cover for our Left Wing Nut base."
We Salute the authentic Republican minority in the state House, whose 20 members are now lower in numbers than those in the state Senate for the first time in decades. Democrats in the State Senate have demonstrated their leadership by introducing Senate Bill 2, legislation to prohibit the dissemination of obscene and graphically violent video games to minors and to require video game retailers to inform consumers that a video game rating system is available. The principal sponsor of the Senate Bill 2 is Senator Boseman. Senate Bill 2 represents sound public policy in protecting minors. Politically, Democrats have clearly established that they are willing to engage “values” issues constructively in stark contrast to the Republican mantra against same sex marriage. In addition, Senator Boseman, the first openly gay State Senator, is the prime sponsor of the bill to demonstrate that sexual preference is not relevant to legitimate “value” issues. In the State House, Democrats introduced House Bill 20. The measure would provide small businesses, those employing less than 25 workers, a $400.00 tax credit, if the employer provides health insurance for all of its employees and pays for at least fifty percent of the cost of the health insurance. House Bill 20 represents good public policy; encouraging broader health care coverage, and good politics; providing incentives to small business that promote important public policy priorities. Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 20 are indicative that the Democratic Party leadership in the General Assembly has a cohesive agenda and is moving early in the legislative process to establish its credentials as providing good government in North Carolina. Good government is the best politics. DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION While Democrats in the State Senate are moving to protect children, the Republicans predictably opened their legislative agenda with a bill calling for a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriages in the State. – Senate Bill 8 The bill actually goes much further than simply prohibiting same sex marriages: The uniting of two persons of the same sex or the uniting of more than two persons of any sex in a marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar relationship within or outside of this State shall not be valid or recognized in this State. This Constitution shall not be construed to require that marital status or the rights, privileges, benefits, or other legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried individuals or groups. (emphasis added) First, Democrats should understand that the Republican effort for a constitutional amendment is doomed. Senator Mark Basnight, leader of the Democrats in the State Senate, immediately held a press conference stating that North Carolina law already bans same sex marriages and a constitutional amendment is not needed. Senate Bill 8 will be sent to committee and will not be heard from again. Second, Republicans will attempt to secure enough signatures to force the bill out of committee, but Democrats, in a little publicized move, adopted rules of procedure that would require a two-thirds vote of the Senate to discharge a bill from committee. Republicans simply cannot secure the votes necessary to discharge. Third, Democrats need to let their elected Senators and Representatives know that they have oppose any effort to enact legislation leading calling for a constitutional amendment. You can find your Senator and Representative by entering your zip code in the box below. You will find your Senator and Representative’s email address. Just click on the address to activate your email program. Democrats should appreciate the fact that their hard work during the General Election in regaining majority control in the State House and expanding their control of the State Senate laid the groundwork for defeating the Republican effort. THERE IS A REASON WE ARE DEMOCRATS. WINNING THE STATE SENATE, PART II TPJ completes its series today on winning the State Senate. Democrats control the State Senate; 29 to 21 and gained two seats during the General Election. Redistricting was designed to bring competitive parity for both parties. The service that TPJ follows rated the districts after redistricting as: Strong Democrat 14 Democrats fashioned victories in 29 seats. Click on this hyperlink for a listing of the Senate races by district: -- TPJ State Senate Chart Democrats simply outperformed the expectations based on redistricting. First, Democrats held every “Strong Democrat” district. Democratic Party incumbents ran in every district, except Senate District 40. Republicans mounted opposition in only 6 of these districts. The best Republican challengers; Districts 8 and 14, garnered only 46% of the vote in each district. District 40, Mecklenburg County, was an “open” seat. Malcolm Graham, who was endorsed by TPJ, won the nomination and easily defeated a Republican challenger. Second, Democrats won every “Lean Democrat” district. Republicans challenged in 8 of the 9 districts without success. Most impressively, 3 of the 9 seats were “open” seats. New Democratic Party candidates held the seats with impressive victories as noted below: Dis Incumbent Cont/Uncont District Performance Result
One “Lean Democrat” district was redistricted to include two incumbents. The Democrat incumbent won as noted below. This was perhaps the “sweetest” Democratic Party victory as Tony Moore, a Republican incumbent, was a former Democrat who switched Parties.
Third, in the “Swing” districts Democrats held their own, winning 4 of 6 seats as noted below:
The great news for Democrats was that Boseman won the seat abandoned by Ballantine when he ran for Governor on the Republican ticket. Republicans did defeat an incumbent Democrat in District 6. For the balance of the 6 “Swing” districts, incumbents simply held their seats. Fourth, Democrats were able to capture one “Lean Republican” district while losing another as noted below:
Collectively, Snow’s victory in District 50 (Western North Carolina) and Boseman’s victory in District 9 (Eastern North Carolina) demonstrate what Democrats can accomplish with quality candidates. Boseman served as a county commissioner who had an excellent political base and a solid progressive record. Snow is a retired District Court Judge with a distinguished career on the bench who ran against a Republican incumbent who was 80 years old. Fifth, there is Senator David Hoyle. Senator Hoyle runs and wins in District 43, the most Republican performing district in North Carolina. The Charlotte Observer recently featured an article on how Senator Hoyle wins in a District where no other Democrat can get elected. The answer: Republicans and Democrats alike say that's because Hoyle, first elected in 1992, forgets politics and focuses on constituents. When someone has a problem, Hoyle takes time to write a letter or make a phone call, they say.
"He's a public servant, not a politician," said Lewis Tager, Gaston Democratic Party treasurer.
Hoyle, 65, has supporters in both parties. He has to in a county that for several years has elected no other Democrats to partisan county or national offices, either.
Gaston County GOP Treasurer Robert Neunzig, for example, said he voted for Hoyle until the past two elections, when he felt he had to vote a straight Republican ticket after becoming a party officer.
"In Mr. Hoyle's case, the person may be stronger than the politics," Neunzig said. "He's a person many have grown to trust and admire."
Neunzig compared Hoyle to President Bush.
"Bush really talks to people on a people level," he said. "People trust him and they believe in his moral values. ... I think that's the exact thing about David Hoyle. He comes across as one of us -- someone you can trust." – Charlotte Observer In the 2004 General Election, Democrats in the Senate raised more funds than Republicans. It was a critical advantage: Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, raised $1.7 million . . . .
[Basnight] funneled about [$1] million to the state Democratic Party, which doled out much of it to legislative candidates. The party can give unlimited amounts to the candidates, while an individual or campaign is limited to $4,000 donations.
Among winning candidates, median spending for Senate Democrats was $174,700, compared to $68,600 for Republican winners. . . .
Bill Peaslee, executive director of the state GOP, acknowledges Democrats enjoyed "a more unified leadership." – Charlotte Observer Democrats won with the basics: (1) good leadership; (2) excellent candidates; particularly Berger, Graham and Atwater in open districts and Boseman and Snow in Republican leaning districts (all progressive Democrats); (3) an aggressive strategy to challenge Republicans on their own turf as evidenced by Boseman and Snow; and (4) aggressive fundraising. It is the winning formula. Democrats can take their control of the State Senate to 31 seats. The clock is already ticking for the 2006 election cycle. Of the 10 closest races, Democrats will be defending 7 in 2006 but have reasonable expectation to win 2 of the 3 seats they lost; Districts 22 and 47. These are TPJ’s HOT 10.
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