Black and Decker
I am shocked, SHOCKED, that more people haven't used some play on that phrase in headlines for stories regarding House Speaker Jim Black (a Democrat) and party-switching former House member Michael Decker (now a Republican) of Forsyth County.
Well, those inclined will have the opportunity tomorrow.
A relatively new website publisher, www.JimBlackMustGo.com, dedicated sent around an e-mail today that read in part:
Raleigh – Joe Sinsheimer, creator of the Jimblackmustgo.com website, today questioned why state House Speaker Jim Black sent a large campaign contribution to former State Representative Michael Decker in February 2005 after Decker had lost his 2004 re-election effort in the GOP primary. Decker closed his campaign account the next day, apparently pocketing the leftover funds.
What the website was writing about was recorded on this campaign finance report by Decker's now closed campaign committee.
Well, I should have guessed, but it wasn't too long before my fax machine began rattling off something from NCGOP headquarters.
(RALEIGH) – Ferrell Blount, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, issued a harsh response after learning that Speaker Jim Black gave former Rep. Michael Decker $4,000 one day before Decker drafted a check to himself and closed his campaign account....
“First we learn that Jim Black got Michael Decker a sweetheart $48,000-a year state job in return for switching political parties and keeping Jim Black in power,” Sinsheimer said in the release. “Then we learn that Black helped Decker’s son, Michael Decker Jr., get a job as a ‘research associate’ in the General Assembly. Now we learn that Black is rewarding Decker with campaign cash. There seems to be no end to Jim Black’s influence peddling. I am sick of turning my head while Jim Black rewards his political allies with campaign cash.”
Republicans, in case you haven't gotten the gist, really don't like Black. And the GOP leadership is still mad at Decker for his 2002 party flip-flop that lead to the Black-Richard Morgan co-speakership, rather than out-and-out control of the House by Republicans.
And in case you've missed it, the GOP leadership is holding a grudge against Morgan as well.
So is it unique for someone to get a campaign donation after they loose an election? Not really. Consider a local example provided by former Rep. Joanne Bowie, a Greensboro Republican, who received a $500 donation in February 2005, according to this report.(PDF)
Of course, there are those who would argue that Decker hadn't reported any debts that his committee couldn't cover so Black's contribution amounts to a pay off.
As always, feel free to discus via the comments link below.
Comments (2)
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Way ahead of you, Mark. We ran an edit last March headlined, "Black & Decker state job power tools produce results."
It noted that the speaker and his pal used these tools from the Black & Decker catalogue:
The jigsaw, which cuts in a zig-zag pattern -- as in Decker's switch from Republican to Democrat in 2003 in order to keep Black in power, and later back to Republican again so that he could run for re-election in his GOP-leaning district.
The stud driver, which can knock a square peg into a round hole -- making an ill-suited politician fit into any desired position.
The belt sander, which smooths over rough surfaces -- as Black & Decker did at first in denying that Black's political influence had anything to do with Decker's $48,000-a-year job.
The circular saw, which allows 360-degree cuts -- showing that what goes around in politics comes around.
And the electric screwdriver. Well, taxpayers know only too well what that means.
Posted on November 30, 2005 10:56 AM
I stand corrected. I never should have doubted our editorial page's capacity for snark!
Posted on November 30, 2005 12:22 PM