Posted on 01/29/2003 12:50:52 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj
Wednesday, January 29, 2003 3:21PM EST
Five ballots and no new speaker
By AMY GARDNER AND LYNN BONNER, STAFF WRITERS
After five ballots, the state House of Representatives recessed for the day Wednesday afternoon when neither Republicans nor Democrats could marshal 61 votes to elect a new speaker. On each ballot, the 60 House Democrats united to back Rep. Jim Black's bid for a third term. Republicans were divided, with 55 voting for the party's nominee, Rep. George Holmes of Yadkin County, and five for Rep. Richard Morgan of Moore County. It was the first time since 1866 that the speaker of the 120-member House was not elected on the first ballot. The House went through four roll-call ballots, recessed so Republicans and Democrats could meet privately in separate groups, and then conducted one more ballots before adjourning deadlocked in mid-afternoon.
"If I knew what to do, I probably would have already done it," said Black after the House voted to adjourn for the day. The House is schedule to convene again at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The adjournment means another day of intrigue as the two sides jockey for the votes to win. Behind the scenes, numerous conversations were taking place about how Democrats, under Black, would share power with Republicans — either an individual or a small group — if they agreed to back him.
Democrats appeared to have an advantage Wednesday because five dissidents who had originally opposed Black decided Wednesday morning to back him. One member of the group, Rep. Mickey Michaux of Durham, said that after meeting with Black on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning he committed to him. Michaux also acknowledged that part of that discussion involved who would hold the House's No. 2 post, speaker pro tempore, but denied that he had been promised that position.
"People keep talking and communicating and trying to find out where they can find some common ground," said another member of that Democratic group, Rep. Martin Nesbitt of Asheville after the fourth ballot. "We've obviously got more common ground in the Democratic Party today."
One Black supporter, Rep. Donald Bonner of Scotland County, showed up despite having brain surgery to remove a benign tumor only on Thursday. But the adjournment gives Republicans more time to unify themselves. Even it came as a surprise when one Democrat, Rep. Mary McAllister of Fayetteville, accidently voted with Republicans to adjourn when she meant to vote against adjournment.
The speaker's election provided high political drama for the opening day of the 2003 legislative session. The post is one of the most powerful in state government since the speaker holds sway over legislation through the appointment of committee chairmen and through controlling the debate and votes.
In the November election, Republicans won a two-seat majority. But that vanished suddenly Friday when Rep. Michael Decker of Walkertown switched parties and declared his support for Black.
Decker's defection ripped wider a division among House Republicans who could not unite their first nominee, Rep. Leo Daughtry of Smithfield. And even when Daughtry stepped aside on Tuesday, Republicans still could not rally behind Holmes, the new pick.
On the Senate side, the session began much smoother. Sen. Marc Basnight won an unprecedented sixth term as president pro tempore, the Senate's top post.
Before electing their new leaders, House and Senate members took their oaths of office. Fifty-one of the 170 legislators sworn are newcomers.
Staff writer Amy Gardner can be reached at 829-8902 or agardner@newsobserver.com.
Until late last week the GOP had a 61-59 majority in the House. Then Mike Decker jumped ship and joined the RATS making it 60-60.
Gee, what a surprise. Lemme guess, some of those "Better to vote for a Democrat than to sellout and vote for Liddy" nitwits?
I dunno...looks like five Pat Buchanans are almost as much of a problem as one Jumpin' Jim....
Ah yes, another 'RAT elected for life to run some state with an iron fist. Someone explain to me again why "conservatives" want to take power AWAY from the people and give it to a bunch of liberal government buerucrats running state legislatures? I can just picture who this guy would "appoint" to the U.S. Senate. Southern 'RATs would just LOVE to have MORE power in their rigged-district legislatures so they overturn what the citizens want.
>> Hilarious that a state house of representatives has an even number of members, even more hilarious is that there are 60 Democrats and 60 Republicans, and no end in sight. <<
So where's the Lt. Governor to break the tie-vote? That's basically their ONLY job Lt. Governors do unless the Governor croaks. As I recall the Lt. Gov. is a 'RAT too. If she can't take control here, what CAN she do?
Man, that RINO traitor has really screwed up the state of N.C. He and the adminstration of Duke University need to be thrown out of office A.S.A.P.
This would only apply to the State Senate where the Lieutenant Governor usually serves as its President, not in the House. That a$$hole Decker really screwed us, but those 5 other jerks refusing to vote for the GOP standard-bearer aren't helping matters, either.
Maybe the Lt. Gov can only vote if there's a tie, right? So what if, by not voting straight, they're avoiding a tie to screw things up?
Just wondering...
What's with these Dems? Why do they think that if they can, they should game every system, everywhere? Is this the "Gore Legacy?"
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