Breaking: Governor Easley endores Hillary Clinton

[NJSecularist]

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/gen/ap/NC_Clinton_Ealsey.html

RALEIGH, N.C. — A person close to North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley tells The Associated Press he will endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

Easley is a Democratic superdelegate who has served as the state's governor for two terms. His decision comes despite several recent polls showing Clinton trailing rival Barack Obama ahead of the state's May 6 primary.

Easley would be just the second superdelegate from North Carolina to endorse Clinton. Six of the state's 17 superdelegates have endorsed Obama.

A former state attorney general, Easley has focused largely on education programs during his eight-year tenure. He's called on both of the presidential candidates to take more about he issue.

The person spokes to the AP on a condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not yet been made.

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[msallied]

1. Wow. Posting rumor as fact.

Do you work for The National Enquirer?

Lemme know when the real endorsement comes, mkay?

[gateley]

4. I'm a North Carolinian, and I think this will probably pan out this way. nt

[msallied]

8. God... why, though?

He's leading the state! What is the reasoning for this endorsement?

[yardwork]

17. Easley is a lame-duck jerk, that's why.

Easley is a DINO in many ways. He's also highly unpopular - it's really hard to describe the....contempt....that most North Carolinians feel toward him at this point. He's proven to be a lying, sneaky, weasel. And I'm reporting the opinion of Democrats! The Republicans recognize him as one of the greatest gifts the state has ever given to their party.

I'm actually relieved that Easley endorsed Hillary. It will do her no good - might do her harm, actually.

[msallied]

24. Very interesting! Thanks for the info!

[Kittycat]

31. Sounds like he and Clinton are a match made in the sewer.

[yardwork]

35. That was my immediate reaction.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

45. Easley - who would never address NAACP meetings or be photographed with a black man

Crash Easley we call him, for wrecking a race car.

Most elitist and self absorbed old white guy who never was responsive to
voters in any way.

Always very detached from the public.

[PoliticalAmazon]

60. Who is the source of this rumor? If it's the Clintons or their campaign, forget it....

...They also said they raised $1.5million in 30 seconds, or something ridiculous like that, without a shred of proof EVER.

[Yael]

46. Cool. Thanks for that

Fast Eddie didn't do himself any favors up here and Teddy Strickland looked like a jackass standing there with his head bobbing like a dash ornament while Hillary was on her shame-on-you-mom-just-found-porn-under-the-bed rant.

Consider your governor added to that list.

:hi:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

50. Apr 14 08- Major media sue NC Gov Easlry for deleting all emails:

An aloof asshole, he's worse than pond scum..... and he screwed up mental health in our state big time....

North Carolina Governor Sued By Media Over Emails

April 14, 2008 Stephanie Cruz - AHN

Raleigh, NC (AHN) - Several media organizations on Monday filed a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Easley, accusing his administration of routinely violating the state's public records law by deleting official e-mails.

The complaint was filed in Wake County Superior Court by 10 media groups seeking a court order against state employees to prevent them from deleting, destroying, or concealing government e-mails.

The lawsuit is asking the Court to compel North Carolina Cabinet officials to require all personnel to abide with state public records law.

...
The law states that all e-mails sent to and from government offices are "public records if they contain information related to the transaction of public business" and should be be kept for future reference.

The suit stemmed from a former Dept. of Health and Human Services official's statement that Easley's office follows an unwritten policy to delete e-mails daily. Two other public information officers affirmed the fired worker's claim.

...The media groups who sued Gov. Easley include: The Associated Press; The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer; the North Carolina Press Association; The Fayetteville Observer; The Wilson Daily Times; The Alamance News; Freedom Communications and Freedom Eastern North Carolina Communications; Media General Operations Inc.; and The John Locke Foundation

...more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

52. Easley withheld Millions of $ from health care to plug the budget holes

Easley withheld millions of $ from health care to plug the budget holes

Governor's Candidates Focus on Woes of Mental Health System

WRAL News Apr. 25, 2008

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina's mental health system has never received so much attention from the public, let alone the major-party candidates for governor.

That's largely due to the widespread failure of a reform effort initiated by the Legislature in 2001 and carried out by Gov. Mike Easley's administration, which tried to create a community-centered method for treating the mentally ill, substance abusers and the mentally disabled.

...The idea behind the 2001 reform was to shift the state's mental health programs away from institutional care to community-based treatment offered by private providers. The General Assembly set aside money to help local agencies that manage patient services to build up their treatment capacity by adding short-term hospital beds and crisis services.

The intention was to keep patients from ending up in jails or emergency rooms following a breakdown.

Instead, the state's institutions are used more than ever. Replacing government-run psychiatric services at the county level led to no care in some rural areas because private or nonprofit providers either couldn't survive financially or simply left the area.
Easley also intercepted tens of millions of dollars earmarked for mental health to plug a budget shortfall.

...more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

53. We in North Carolina unaffectionately call him Crash Easley and here's why:

Here's why we in NC unaffectionately call him "Crash Easley".

Easley Won't Be Thrown Off Track

Dan Kane & Rupen Fofaria, News & Observer May 10th, 2003

Gov. Mike Easley walked away from a high-speed crash Friday at Lowe's Motor

Speedway, got into a second race car and raced some more at speeds up to 160 mph.

No big deal, said NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace. "I don't think it's dangerous," he said.

But Rep. Mickey Michaux, after hearing of the wreck, said a governor should be more careful.

"I think if I was governor, I'd be a little more circumspect," said Michaux, a Durham Democrat.
"I don't think I'd be in a race car. But hey, you take a chance crossing the street."



...more at the link

[gateley]

48. You'd have to know Easley to understand.

Suffice it to say it's not a surprise.

[Life Long Dem]

34. More bad news for Clinton. n/t

[Tellurian]

49. CNN announced it's official..NC Governor endorses Clinton for President!

Mike Easley endorsing Sen Clinton!

[gateley]

2. I had a feeling that's who he would endorse.

Congrats, Hillary and supporters! :hi:

[jsamuel]

3. If that poll showing Clinton down by low double digits is true, this could knock her into singles.

[yardwork]

20. LOL! True.

[powergirl]

5. NC is having a gubernatorial race this year, I think

Is that right? Are there term limits in NC? Is Governer Easley not running? Let me know. I'm a Texan and don't know my way around NC. Thanks!

[BeyondGeography]

9. Yep...Both Democratic candidates have endorsed Obama

[powergirl]

12. I wonder if there is bad blood between the sitting governer

and the two candidates.

[NJSecularist]

13. Or maybe Easley thinks Hillary is mor electable.

[gmudem]

40. Considering Obama is tied with McCain in the latest NC poll

And Hillary is down by 11, I very much doubt that.

Or maybe he's just not very smart.

[yardwork]

19. There is bad blood between Easley and every Democrat in the state.

[blm]

10. Easley is out - the two Dems running both endorsed Obama. Clinton at top of ticket would

be tough for them.

Easley doesn't give a crap anymore. It's not going to be HIS name on the ballot.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

54. NC Sen Majority Leader Tony Rand for Obama, said Obama could run naked it wouldn't matter

Rand: Obama could run naked

Posted by Mark Binker on April 22, 2008

A group of 29 legislators came out to endorse Barack Obama today. Among the locals on the list were Reps. Alma Adams and Pricey Harrison along with Sen. Katie Dorsett.

However, the heavy hitters on the agenda were Rep. Dan Blue, a one-time U.S. Senate candidate and very well respected committee chairman in the House, and Sen. Tony Rand, the Senate majority leader all around power broker in the Senate.

Two points about Rand's speech today: It sounded a little un-Rand-like. Rand is known for his home-spun colloquy that borders on the elegant at times. I asked him if the words were his own. He acknowledged that the campaign had written part of it, which I think is pretty standard operating procedure for these kinds of announcements.

However, after the newser when he was just fielding questions, Rand delivered some very Rand-like lines. The best, by far, came in response to a question about the flag-pin and Rev. Wright controversies and whether they would hurt Obama in Rand's district, which includes Ft. Bragg.

"I think that so shallow. I don't think the people of my district are going to fall for that kind of stuff ... It's what you stand for and where you are. I hope we will focus on jobs, on doing something about the dependence on energy, I hope we'll look at what we can do to resolve the problems of the Middle East and get out of there. If we can do those things, you know, he could walk around naked as far as I'm concerned and it would be fine."

...more at the link including the list of NC State lawmakers endorsing Obama

[yardwork]

25. Yes, there are term limits, and Easley just finished his second term. He's out.

He wouldn't be running for reelection even if he was allowed, though. His second term has been a complete disaster and he's handled it very poorly.

[mmonk]

6. This is a man that refused to be seen with Kerry in 04.

No asset to real democrats.

[NJSecularist]

7. Confirmation from WRAL

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/2805702/

RALEIGH, N.C. — A person close to North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley said Monday the governor will endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

Sources told WRAL that an announcement would be made Tuesday morning at a campaign event.

Easley is a Democratic superdelegate who has served as the state's governor for two terms. His decision comes despite several recent polls showing Clinton trailing rival Barack Obama ahead of the state's May 6 primary.

Easley would be just the second superdelegate from North Carolina to endorse Clinton. Six of the state's 17 superdelegates have endorsed Obama.

A former state attorney general, Easley has focused largely on education programs during his eight-year tenure. He's called on both of the presidential candidates to take more about he issue.

The person spokes to The Associated Press on a condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not yet been made.

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[shayes51]

11. Thanks for posting!

Good for Hillary!

[indimuse]

14. K&R!!!

:bounce::woohoo: :bounce::woohoo: :bounce::woohoo:

[yardwork]

15. This is actually good news for Obama.

Easley is highly unpopular in North Carolina right now. People are downright disgusted with him. His administration has been rocked by scandal after scandal. Democrats all over the state are distancing themselves from him.

This is one endorsement that Hillary really didn't want. Obama is lucky, imo, not be mentioned in the same sentence as Easley. Easley is that unpopular.

[joeybee12]

16. Easley is scum! The lowest form of life! Not a REAL Democrat!

Oh wait, I had my Obama Supporter hat on.

Now it's off.

Good for Hilary. He probably likes her and quite frankly sees the Obama trainwreck coming.

[yardwork]

18. No, you were right the first time.

Easley really is scum and a DINO. And believe me, anyone would say that even if he had endorsed Obama. Here in North Carolina, Democrats can't wait for Easley to go away. Republicans wish he could stick around forever. He's been great for their cause.

[joeybee12]

22. Go ahead, say the same thing about Sam Nunn...go ahead...

I dares ya!

[yardwork]

23. Sam Nunn isn't finishing his second term as governor of my state.

I'm not in a position to "say the same" about Sam Nunn. As a North Carolinian, I'm reporting the feeling here in the state for Easely.

[joeybee12]

26. Well, do a quick google search about the guy...educate yourself

about right-wing DINO scum...he's at the top of that group, but when he endorsed Obama, it was all, "well, we have to reach out to everyone." Not saying you personally, but that was pretty much the reaction around here.

[yardwork]

29. I've never liked Nunn. I'm sorry he endorsed Obama. I didn't defend it.

[wisteria]

21. Someone told someone? Come on this looks desperate. n/t

[Doityourself]

27. Its true. Just broke on CNN..Wolf Blitzer announced...

[thevoiceofreason]

28. Assuming the leak is right, congrats to Sen. Clinton.

Let's talk issues and deals - like this.

[zabet]

30. Good.

Regardless of what everyone says here, I live in NC and I know for a fact that everyone does not hate Easley.

:hi:

[yardwork]

33. Really? Are you one of his remaining fans?

What are your feelings about the state of mental health care in NC? Like the way that Easley stepped up to the plate and took responsibility for his decisions? How 'bout them state troopers?

[zabet]

42. Wow. Way to put words into my mouth. I did not say I was a fan..

I just know a lot of people still support him. :shrug: I cannot read these peoples' minds nor will I try to put words in their mouths (unlike you), all I can say is, there are still people in NC who like and support him.

[NJSecularist]

32. Isn't it funny how Obama gets every DLC endorsement in the book and the Obamites celebrate?

Yet when Hillary gets an endorsement from an important governor, all of them tell us what a bad Democrat Easley is.

[yardwork]

37. Easley is a bad Democrat, that's why I'm saying it.

[NJSecularist]

47. But all the DLC democrats that have endorsed Obama aren't?

:crazy:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

55. Easley wouldn't ever meet with NAACP

n/t

[yardwork]

64. I never discussed them one way or the other.

[blm]

56. Not all DLC members are equal, though, just like all Dems are not equal in their positions

on left issues.

Odd that you have chosen to post the way you are now....one would think you'd find that approach distasteful if you were sincere in your initial postings here.

[NJSecularist]

57. Of course. Obama DLC endorsement = good. Hillary DLC endorsement = bad. n/t

[blm]

58. No - just not all DLC are equal. Some FORM the policies, some PUSH the policies and some

are members just to listen to another pov.

Odd that you are taking this approach in your posts if your initial postings here were sincere.

[Seen the light]

36. This surprises me

I spoke to an aide to Governor Easley just last week and he said that Governor Easley pledged to remain neutral. I wonder what happened?

[quakerboy]

38. You can have him

Obama is still pulling 2 endorsements to every one Hillary gets. And thats AFTER Pennsylvania. I would be happy with 1-1, because yall need 59% of every remaining delegate, and every one that endorses just puts the nails in the coffin that much more firmly.

[Aloha Spirit]

39. Congratulations!

Frankly, I'm just glad to see the superdelegates making up their minds.

[book_worm]

41. ok, a good endorsement for Hillary.

[Texas Hill Country]

43. woot!

[Texas Hill Country]

44. woot!

[RememberWellstone]

51. YES!!

Great pick up!!:toast:

[jefferson_dem]

59. Good for her.

Not sure how much it will help but nice pickup.

[populust]

62. Guvner Sleazley

Has no respect in this state. He's a bit of a political loner, hates to campaign and press the flesh.
He bungled mental health care reform and is in the last months of his lame duck tenure with a lawsuit pending for destruction of public records.

[jefferson_dem]

63. LOL! They sound like a perfect pair.

Thanks for the summary of sleaze.

[yardwork]

66. No, Easley is far worse than Hillary. His endorsement won't help her much.

[Hoof Hearted]

61. Woooo Hooooo! Easely is quite popular AND a SD! THREE CHEERS FOR THE ~LADY~

What a great endorsement and SD to pick up! It's all about the infrastructure. I have the feeling we could actually WIN in N.C.

:applause: :applause: :applause:

The tide is turning!

[yardwork]

67. Easley is quite popular??? In what parallel universe?

[Texas Hill Country]

65. NICE!!!