A Man Without a Party
2012-05-03 - by
Ever since what one observer called David Parker’s “televised suicide bombing,” I’ve been pondering his infamous press conference performance.
Especially: Who told him that would be a good idea?
The answer, apparently, is no one. I’m told that he talked to no one on the party staff, sought out no one’s advice.
That makes sense. No seasoned political professional would think it’s a good idea to spend 45 minutes grappling, groping and going into great detail over what does or doesn’t constitute sexual harassment.
In fact, I’m told that the entire HQ staff cleared out of the way of the TV cameras beforehand to escape the collateral damage. Parker apparently instigated the entire affair himself, calling the press, drafting his own “remarks” and operating completely without the party staff.
Even national political leaders recognized that Parker had gone rogue. This from Politico:
“David Parker is a man without a party,” said a senior national party official of the North Carolina chair. “He’s operating out of a hotel in Raleigh outside of the party structure and without the support of staff, the national party or any significant party official or elected official. He’s isolated and that isolation will only increase until he makes the decision that is not in his best interest but in the best interest of the party…”
The upshot is that the party is handcuffed at a time when the Tillis staff fiasco gave them a perfect attack line: “As soon as the Republicans took over, they jumped in bed with the lobbyists – literally.”
The question now is whether Parker will try to get himself reelected chair May 12. If he does, the party will get what it deserves in November.
A Man Without a Party
2012-05-03/
Ever since what one observer called David Parker’s “televised suicide bombing,” I’ve been pondering his infamous press conference performance.
Especially: Who told him that would be a good idea?
The answer, apparently, is no one. I’m told that he talked to no one on the party staff, sought out no one’s advice.
That makes sense. No seasoned political professional would think it’s a good idea to spend 45 minutes grappling, groping and going into great detail over what does or doesn’t constitute sexual harassment.
In fact, I’m told that the entire HQ staff cleared out of the way of the TV cameras beforehand to escape the collateral damage. Parker apparently instigated the entire affair himself, calling the press, drafting his own “remarks” and operating completely without the party staff.
Even national political leaders recognized that Parker had gone rogue. This from Politico:
“David Parker is a man without a party,” said a senior national party official of the North Carolina chair. “He’s operating out of a hotel in Raleigh outside of the party structure and without the support of staff, the national party or any significant party official or elected official. He’s isolated and that isolation will only increase until he makes the decision that is not in his best interest but in the best interest of the party…”
The upshot is that the party is handcuffed at a time when the Tillis staff fiasco gave them a perfect attack line: “As soon as the Republicans took over, they jumped in bed with the lobbyists – literally.”
The question now is whether Parker will try to get himself reelected chair May 12. If he does, the party will get what it deserves in November.