N.C. GOP criticizes speaker Morgan and his allies

Durham Herald-Sun [Durham, NC] ^ | May 31, 2003 | The Associated Press

[Constitution Day]

N.C. GOP criticizes speaker Morgan and his allies

The Associated Press
May 31, 2003   10:00 pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- State Republicans passed several toughly worded resolutions Saturday accusing Republican House co-Speaker Richard Morgan and four of his allies of betraying the party.

The resolutions at the state Republican convention called for party members to oust disloyal GOP lawmakers in next year's primaries and require future Republican candidates to sign loyalty oaths.

Morgan didn't attend the convention.

Reached at his home in Moore County, Morgan characterized the convention's actions as effort by an opposing House Republican faction to embarrass him.

"My interest is in trying to make policy for the state," he told The News & Observer of Raleigh. "This has been initiated by the extremists. This is sour grapes."

The move came despite pleas from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and former Gov. Jim Martin to avoid taking any actions that would harm party unity.

Many of the nearly 1,000 delegates to the convention expressed anger several times that Republicans had captured 61 seats in the 120-member state House in November, only to see their majority evaporate when Republican Michael Decker of Forsyth County switched parties.

Faced with a 60-60 deadlock, Morgan led a five-member faction that set up a joint House speakership with Democrat Jim Black.

"I would rather have had a Democrat (House) straight out then what we have now," said Ray Starling of Wayne County. "It is still Democratic-controlled, but the Republicans get the blame for it."

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[Constitution Day]

Yes, she is! I think I'll keep her. :)

[leprechaun9]

"Furthermore, setting ourselves up to be ridiculed,does not help us recruit folks to our way of thinking."

I believe a candidate running for office promising not to raise taxes and then voting to do it is a fraud on all those who voted for the candidate.

To me, that is a bigger problem than worrying about "being RIDICULED" (a RINO concern)!

[TaxRelief]

I believe a candidate running for office promising not to raise taxes and then voting to do it, is a fraud on all those who voted for the candidate...is a bigger problem than worrying about "being RIDICULED" (a RINO concern)!

Ditto. Now we need a strategy to get recall legislation passed.