Shameless Jim Black

I don't know who to more upset with; the House Democratic Caucus, The North Carolina Democratic Party, state-elected Democratic officials, or Speaker of the House Jim Black. I put great thought into this blog posting, trying to consider the positions of each player in the saga surrounding the current speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. I considered the upside and downside of each player in the event a call for resignation was made, or took place. At the conclusion of my pondering, I could only be upset with one person, the Speaker himself.

The Speaker of the House is a leadership position in our government. It is in the public face that defines North Carolina to the nation. Individuals who hold this title should be held to a higher standard. When they break the bond of trust, they should leave the office and spare the state embarassment.

Jim Black, the Mecklenburg County Democratic Speaker of the House, appears to operate without any shame. He dismisses any resignation talk in an arrogant Don Rumsfeld like manner. For Democrats, the allegations of corruption that encompass his office has given Tar Heel Republicans a perfect campaign issue amidst the declining popularity of the GOP in national circles.

National Democrats have made clean government a cornerstone of election year 2006. The North Carolina Democratic Party has posted numerous positions calling for clean government. Black's troubles run contrary to these calls and damage Democratic credibility on this issue.

It is apparent the Speaker will not do the honorable and resign. I call on our party leadership (Governor Easley, Lt. Governor Perdue, Party Chair Jerry Meek) to publicly ask the Speaker to step down. Give our candidates that truly believe in clean government a credible backing. It is within your power to make this party "walk-the-walk" that support all "the talk" about the principles that define this great party's tradition of offering voters clean, responsive, and effective government for the people.