Carolina Pundit

Slogging through some Republican swamps this morning, I came across the defunct blog, Carolina Pundit, the musings of a self-professed member of a dying breed, a conservative Christian Republican. If you have time, it's worth a brief tour, if only to get some early takes on the NC GOP meltdown, the emergence of the Puppetmaster, and the story behind the story behind the slimeball that is Michael Decker. Here's what the Pundit had to say.

The Times They Are A-Changin’ in the NCGOP

As a follow up to my first commentary, I want to say thank you to all who commented and participated in the discussion. A few took issue with what I had to write and there were some apologists or “spin doctors” who wanted to get in on the act. This development is a great place for Republicans, particularly Conservatives, to begin the formulation of a possible New Republican Majority in North Carolina.

It would seem that times are indeed changing with regards to the NCGOP. My understanding from those involved in Wake County that Vernon Robinson made quite the impression with some of the loyal grassroots activists there. I also understand that Robinson has told others that Bill Peaslee may be fired if a Robinson campaign is successful. This has certainly bolstered Robinson’s chances with many of my contacts across the state. It appears that the “big tent” is more preferable than the “tiny tent”.

Oddly, Robinson’s brand of fiery rhetoric and conviction might prove to be the uniting force in Asheville. Robinson has one great advantage over his competition: he understands who the real enemy is and goes after them.

No wonder the Carolina Pundit was so short-lived. The guy's judgment makes me look like King Solomon!

Of course, when the political lines are so blurred by petty personal differences and agendas, the end result is a state party that fails to accomplish anything. I caught some heat regarding my criticism of Art Pope’s and others involvement and desire to dictate a party “their” way, versus a party that adheres to core principles yet believes in the individual and their ability to act and express their political will rather than being sheep following each other off the proverbial cliff. Robinson may be seeing what some blind sheep refuse to see.

Even back then the Puppetmaster was flexing his ideological muscle, trying to dicate the direction of the NC GOP. Looks like the Pundit was on the wrong side of that argument. Pope holds the heart of the NC GOP in his greedy little hands, and that's all there is to say about that.

And what creepy Republican drama would be complete without the involvement of Tom Fetzer?

It is no coincidence that a few consultants who worked for Pope and his interests, Tom Fetzer and Mark Stephens, announced on March 30th their joint partnership with Speaker Jim Black’s and Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue’s consultant, Brad Crone. For a party so bent on “purity” there seems to be a mixing of the ingredients that continue to dilute the party.

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After all, Fetzer and Stephens were in charge of the GOP Senate effort this past cycle. Robinson correctly points out: “We even lost seats in the state senate to add insult to injury!” There are bigger issues going on here. How can we expect to win and beat the other side when the strategist for the Democrats is holding hands with the Republicans?

But it gets even better:

One should not miss the great irony here. Tom Fetzer now agrees with Richard Morgan that there are needs for Bi-partisan coalitions. Also strangely missing from the release is that Fetzer is a member of Pope’s American’s for Prosperity and, according to a July 27th, 2004 News and Observer article, Pope’s group, the Republican Legislative Majority, used Fetzer Stephens in their attacks on eight Republican House members.

Mix in with this a News and Observer report in January of 2003 where rumors were floating that Pope would be Daughtry’s chief advisor if elected Speaker you begin to put many of the pieces together as to why Pope has attacked Morgan with such zeal. Pope, according to the article, seemed to deny such an offer. "I will continue to have a great deal of interest in the state budget, taxes and redistricting," Pope said. "Whether or not I will be involved in a formal capacity or informal capacity, I have not asked for or received any agreement." The open-ended statement left others in the caucus wondering what exactly Pope’s role would be.

What exactly Pope's role would be? Hmmmm. Can you say Puppetmaster?

Now we know why the Carolina Pundit is no more. The poor guy crossed Art Pope one time too many - and got squashed like a cat in a Charles Taylor crush flick.

It seems that the seeds for dissention have been sown all around the North Carolina Republican Party and many of the same old faces appear time and time again. I was posed the question as to why I criticized Pope and Daughtry but placed no blame on Richard Morgan. My interrogator missed the point.

When big boys with deep pockets launch attack campaigns against anyone who dare to disagree with them, how could we fault the other side for fighting back? I write not to defend Morgan, but to point out that Morgan would not be an issue if a more open party structure existed.

In a final and inspired comment, the Pundit weighs in on the side of Michael Decker. Ha!

The discussion of Michael Decker also seemed to upset a few, and I agree that Decker’s actions with regard to switching parties were deplorable. However, would Decker have been so upset had others within the caucus not recruited someone to run against him in the primary? Maybe this looked over fact should be restated and pursued.

Man oh man, this miasma of Republican party hackery really is quite astounding, and long-standing. It'll be interesting to look back 18 months from now and see if anything is any different. My main hope is that Democrats in the NC House will clean up their stinky Black mess and move forward as a clear majority with absolute integrity. Because if the Republicans win control of anything, you can expect nothing less than more extremist manipulation by guys like Art Pope and Tom Fetzer.

I hadn't had much interest in Fetzer, but he's worth keeping an eye on. I hereby nominate him as Best Supporting Actor in the Puppetshow!

It's deja vu all over again.

Note: It's also worth a peek to observe the swift demise of a right wing blog. The Carolina Pundit came on the scene early in March, 2005, with the following entry:

I am creating a blog about North Carolina politics and my views from a Conservative Christian Republican who thinks our party is missing the mark.