As a follow up to my first commentary, I want to say thank you to all who commented and participated in the discussion. A few took issue with what I had to write and there were some apologists or “spin doctors” who wanted to get in on the act. This development is a great place for Republicans, particularly Conservatives, to begin the formulation of a possible New Republican Majority in North Carolina.
It would seem that times are indeed changing with regards to the NCGOP. My understanding from those involved in Wake County that Vernon Robinson made quite the impression with some of the loyal grassroots activists there. I also understand that Robinson has told others that Bill Peaslee may be fired if a Robinson campaign is successful. This has certainly bolstered Robinson’s chances with many of my contacts across the state. It appears that the “big tent” is more preferable than the “tiny tent”.
Oddly, Robinson’s brand of fiery rhetoric and conviction might prove to be the uniting force in Asheville. Robinson has one great advantage over his competition: he understands who the real enemy is and goes after them.
Of course, when the political lines are so blurred by petty personal differences and agendas, the end result is a state party that fails to accomplish anything. I caught some heat regarding my criticism of Art Pope’s and others involvement and desire to dictate a party “their” way, versus a party that adheres to core principles yet believes in the individual and their ability to act and express their political will rather than being sheep following each other off the proverbial cliff. Robinson may be seeing what some blind sheep refuse to see.
It is no coincidence that a few consultants who worked for Pope and his interests, Tom Fetzer and Mark Stephens, announced on March 30th their joint partnership with Speaker Jim Black’s and Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue’s consultant, Brad Crone. For a party so bent on “purity” there seems to be a mixing of the ingredients that continue to dilute the party.
The release bragged of the “strategic alliance” of the firms that will now offer “Bi-Partisan Consulting Services”. It seems to tell a bigger tale about the past cycle. After all, Fetzer and Stephens were in charge of the GOP Senate effort this past cycle. Robinson correctly points out: “We even lost seats in the state senate to add insult to injury!” There are bigger issues going on here. How can we expect to win and beat the other side when the strategist for the Democrats is holding hands with the Republicans?
One should not miss the great irony here. Tom Fetzer now agrees with Richard Morgan that there are needs for Bi-partisan coalitions. Also strangely missing from the release is that Fetzer is a member of Pope’s American’s for Prosperity and, according to a July 27th, 2004 News and Observer article, Pope’s group, the Republican Legislative Majority, used Fetzer Stephens in their attacks on eight Republican House members.
Mix in with this a News and Observer report in January of 2003 where rumors were floating that Pope would be Daughtry’s chief advisor if elected Speaker you begin to put many of the pieces together as to why Pope has attacked Morgan with such zeal. Pope, according to the article, seemed to deny such an offer. "I will continue to have a great deal of interest in the state budget, taxes and redistricting," Pope said. "Whether or not I will be involved in a formal capacity or informal capacity, I have not asked for or received any agreement." The open-ended statement left others in the caucus wondering what exactly Pope’s role would be.
It seems that the seeds for dissention have been sown all around the North Carolina Republican Party and many of the same old faces appear time and time again. I was posed the question as to why I criticized Pope and Daughtry but placed no blame on Richard Morgan. My interrogator missed the point.
When big boys with deep pockets launch attack campaigns against anyone who dare to disagree with them, how could we fault the other side for fighting back? I write not to defend Morgan, but to point out that Morgan would not be an issue if a more open party structure existed.
The discussion of Michael Decker also seemed to upset a few, and I agree that Decker’s actions with regard to switching parties were deplorable. However, would Decker have been so upset had others within the caucus not recruited someone to run against him in the primary? Maybe this looked over fact should be restated and pursued.
Some other facts regarding the disintegration in the NC House Republican Caucus have been ignored and were brought to light by a recent column by Paul O’Connor. O’Connor gives a better accounting of history than has been circulated in GOP circles. O’Connor writes: “let's go back to 1997, the second and last session of the 20th century in which the GOP controlled the state House. Speaker Harold Brubaker and his rules chairman, Morgan, began feuding with Republicans who felt they were being ignored. At the time, the friction was personal, not ideological.”
O’Connor continues: “The feud only got worse after Democrats retook the House for the 1999 and 2001 sessions. So to say that Decker is the root of the feud is plain wrong.”
By all accounts Decker was one of the most conservative Republicans in the state House. His fall from grace may be worth noting, but to lay blame for the continued infighting is disingenuous at best. Decker left the party after the 2002 election because he was being forced to vote for a man he considered highly unethical. Given Decker’s strong religious convictions, this really should have come as no surprise. What is surprising is how our Party leaders rushed to attack him for staying true to his religious convictions instead of asking themselves if Daughtry was the right man to unite the Republican Party. Even with George Holmes, who was offered as an alternative to Daughtry, the perception was that Holmes was nothing more than a Daughtry lackey.
We have all been led down a path of half-truths and innuendos by those in authority. It is time for the grassroots to wake up and smell the greenbacks and begin to question what is really going on with our party. Once we as a party work toward a common agenda and unite behind solid conservative policies and not personalities, we will return to Raleigh in the majority. I think that can happen.
Times they are a-changin’!
