More on Black: Grouchy Dems
The more liberal/online/activist folks in the Democratic Party who hang out on Blue NC don’t seem to like the idea of Jim Black returning as Speaker. One has gone so far as to create on a stand-by website to be used in the case that Black is re-elected. From the lone post on that site:
Through the years Jim Black has done a tremendous amount of good for this state and for Mecklenburg County. I respect him for that. The problems surrounding him have not yet resulted in an indictment, but they have resulted in a cloud of doubt about the Democrats in NC and their ability to lead our state.The current level of mass-produced corruption by the Republicans on the national level may not have been reached in our state, but the backroom deals and the lack of transparency give the aura of corruption even where none might exist.
Jim Black won re-election by a very, very slim majority. In a state where many Democrats won handily, Black squeaked by. Prior to this latest trouble, Black was very popular and rarely, if ever, even faced opposition. His slim victory is a clear message from the voters. Still, some Democrats in the NC House plan to back Black for re-election to the Speaker's position.
That just won't do.
I wonder if any of the honorables are still paying attention to these activists now that the election is over. In general, Speaker elections are inside baseball sort of affairs that politically interested folks pay attention to but don’t really muck around in.
It will be interesting to see if outside pressure comes to bear on the Democratic caucus and whether such pressure would be heeded. Background here.