Richard Morgan Speaks (and speaks and speaks and speaks...)

Submitted by Linda on Sun, 12/17/2006 - 2:37pm.

The Pilot ran an interview with Richard Morgan today that covers lots of ground.

Q: Just curious: Have you given any thought to running for U.S. Congress next time around?

A: My second term, there were some folks -- who are my enemies now -- that talked to me about filing for Congress in the 2nd District when Moore County was split in two districts. They felt that I could beat [David] Funderburk on his first time, 1992. And I looked at them at that time then and I said, "I just got to the General Assembly, and I've still got a lot to do. And besides, I don't want to go to Washington."

When I schedule appointments there, honestly, I fly up there and get there about 9 or 10 o'clock and schedule appointments midday so that I can be on a flight back at 4 o'clock. I don't like to be in Washington more than two or three days.

Well, that would have worked for him in the 109th Congress. But not the 110th, and I hope not the 111th, either.

My political enemies, some of these folks like Frank Mitchell, accused me of drawing the districts so that I can run for Congress. But I just don't have any interest in going to Washington. I love this state and I love state politics.

State politics? I wonder if he's planning on running in 2008 for something. Governor? There seems to be a lot of anti-Pope sentiment (and I don't mean anti-Catholic!) in my Republican friends in Moore County. Since other Puppet candidates didn't do well around the state, I imagine that holds true, too. Incumbent Senator Harris Blake (Republican NC-22)is getting up in years as well, and that particular race might be a cake walk for Morgan. Or at least he might see it as such.

When asked about Hairdresser Joe Boylan, Morgan said:

Q: Now that that's over, there's got to be obviously some sort of transition between you and when Joe Boylan goes up there. Will there be any conversation between the two of you as far as the transition? Has he called you?

A: No.

Q: Boylan will represent this county or this district for the next two years. What's your opinion of him?

A: I don't have an opinion of him. Q: Now that that's over, there's got to be obviously some sort of transition between you and when Joe Boylan goes up there. Will there be any conversation between the two of you as far as the transition? Has he called you?

A: No.

Q: Boylan will represent this county or this district for the next two years. What's your opinion of him?

A: I don't have an opinion of him.

I'm betting that's not entirely true, but it was wise, politically, for him to answer this way. Interesting article.

0

Thanks, Ms. Cloud

Submitted by James Protzman on Sun, 12/17/2006 - 2:57pm.

My favorite quote from the interview:

Q: Now, locally, there are some people that are calling for some of the local Republican leaders that were your supporters to step down. What's your opinion on that?

A: I'm glad to talk about that. I've been giving that a lot of thought ever since that editorial [an earlier expression of opinion in The Pilot criticizing Morgan for calling some of his political opponents "lizards" and "nuts"].

I'm here today to say that I'm going to take some of that strategic advice. I'm going to quit calling some of these people lizards and nuts. I'm going to call them "toads" and "baboons" instead. ...

Funny guy.

George Pence's picture

Morgan's Political Future????

Submitted by George Pence on Sun, 12/17/2006 - 5:45pm.

I don't think Richard Morgan has a political future in North Carolina state wide political office. Those Republicans on the Pope side of this personality contest detest every moderate bone in Morgan's body, and those who are not so ideologically extreme are not necessarily warm towards Morgan personally. The moderates would probably enjoy just seeing the page turned and then placing their bets on a younger more attractive candidate with far less baggage.

If Morgan has any aspirations for office they'll have to depend on either a subsequent run against Joe Boylan (if Citizen Pope has other fish to fry) or running to fill Harris Blake's Senate seat if Blake bows out in 2008.

One chuckle I got out of The Pilot interview was Richard Morgan's valiant defense of womanhood against the depredations of his dastardly opposition...

Some of the mean-spiritedness that I have observed while still maintaining an active schedule in Raleigh till the end of my term has been so disheartening -- particularly when you have ladies of stature... like Joan Thurman... and Pud Kent being accosted and attacked. I'd sure like to take whoever this guy is out to the woodshed.

Does anyone remember the nature of his 2004 primary contest against Peggy Crutchfield? His mailings savagely attacked her, her husband and the horses both of them rode in on. By the time the election was over the public didn't know if the poor woman had been in charge of the United Way or a local bordello.

I'm sorry, but Richard Morgan's gallantry is a little unconvincing.

I remember.

Submitted by Linda on Mon, 12/18/2006 - 1:46am.

It was terrible. Morgan and his people were vicious. I wonder how it would have gone had someone attacked Cindy in her primary race for county commissioner?

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi

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