News-Record.com

The N.C. Democratic Party review panel led by Jim Slaughter of Greensboro wins praise for its handling of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg sheriff's dilemma.

After all-day proceedings Saturday, it threw out the selection of Nick Mackey by the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party executive committee. As many people complained, proper procedures were not followed.

Commissioners now are poised to appoint interim sheriff Chipp Bailey, a move the Charlotte Observer endorses.

Mackey wasn't qualified for the job, but because he's black this became a racial issue, even drawing Al Sharpton to rally on his behalf.

(Check out the Observer cartoon about that.)

The racial angle presented a real dilemma for the state Democratic Party, but it very carefully and deliberately enforced its rules. Because the process took more than the 30 days state law allows for the party to choose a new sheriff, however, the Mecklenburg commissioners are going to take matters into their own hands and put an end to this fiasco (although it's possible Mackey could sue).

As we've written, state law should be changed so that political parties aren't empowered to pick sheriffs when vacancies occur. This sort of thing could happen in Guilford County, too. It definitely could happen in Guilford County.

Update, Feb. 5: Mackey's going to court today asking a judge to block commissioners from appointing Bailey, the Observer reports. This story gets better and better.

And there's a new Kevin Siers cartoon.

Update, Tuesday afternoon: Judge rejects Mackey's request to block commissioners.

Update, Tuesday night: Mecklenburg commissioners appoint Chipp Bailey sheriff by in a 7-1 vote. That should put an end to Nick Mackey's attempt to hijack the selection process.

What will Al Sharpton say?