Posted on 12/12/2006 8:35:59 PM PST by Prospero
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Embattled state House Speaker Jim Black said Tuesday night he will not seek another term as speaker, ending an eight-year tenure as the top official in the state House.
"I've been speaker for four terms," Black told The Associated Press. "This is, again, not about me. I don't have any need for me to be speaker forever."
Black said he has no plans now to step aside from his Mecklenburg County legislative seat, and dismissed the suggestion he decided against seeking another term as speaker because he is worried about a possible federal indictment. For more than a year, a federal grand jury has looked into the Democrat's campaign finances and his connections to the lottery and video poker industries.
"I have no more reason to think today that I'll be indicted than I did a year ago," Black said.
Black announced his decision after having dinner with about 25 House Democrats at a Raleigh restaurant. He said their focus in next year's legislative session should be on the issues facing the state -- not who is leading the party. Black added he plans to be involved in choosing his successor, a decision he doesn't expect House Democrats to make until January.
"It's wide open and everybody will make their case," he said.
Black's office has provided thousands of pages of documents to grand jurors seeking information on more than two dozen entities or persons, many of whom are connected to the lottery and video poker industries.
In October, a jury convicted former state lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings, a Black appointee to the commission, on five counts of fraud. Former state Rep. Michael Decker identified Black as a co-conspirator in a political party-switching scheme that ultimately helped Black remain speaker in 2003, though Black has denied any criminal wrongdoing.
Decker sings on Black, Black sings on his thug friends, and, when the indictment comes, Black will resign.
Expect Crawford to be Speaker, unless the GOP makes a deal with Dan Blue, like they did in 1992.
Translation: "This is all about me."
It's insane that this guy was re-elected considering the cloud of scandal he was in.
And, what, by seven votes! (Before the recount.) In a district he drew for himself! He almost wasn't, and in a district so D it's amazing!
Translation: I knew I was cooked a year ago.
In this case, it emerges as a group of dinner partners, and then segues into Democrats defering a decision on a replacement until January.
They never refer to the guy directly as a Democrat.
-PJ
Best news I've had since November 7!
I'll drink to that!
"I can't get another dollar in my freezer."
From today's N&O.
"I don't have any need for me to be speaker forever."
Jim Black
Note to Jim. Speakerships and jump suits don't go together.
SWEET!
Anyone want to pick a date for the perp walk?
He must see the writing on the wall or should I say signatures on the indictment. :)
I hope it is coming and I feel better about the outcome than I did one year ago.
I have heard however, that in the Charlotte media, there was virtually no coverage of his troubles and polls in the area showed that a great majority of those in the area had no idea about the problems he was facing and what he was accused of.
Any Charlotte FReepers want to chime in on this?
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