Martin Nesbit Floats Like a Butterfly
2010-05-12 - by
There is no political spectacle quite like watching a politician duke it out with a reporter; like when Charlotte Observer reporter Mark Johnson interviewed Senate Democrat Leader Martin Nesbit about cleaning up corruption in state government. Only Nesbit wasn’t punching. He was floating like a butterfly. Like Mohammed Ali.
Johnson took the bull by the horns, asking Nesbit bluntly: Do you support Ethics Reform to clean up corruption in state government?
Yes, of course, Nesbit said. But then he added, Except I’m worried about the unforeseen circumstances.
Johnson: How about banning political donations by state contractors?
Yes, Nesbit said. Then he added, But exactly how you do that, I don’t know.
Johnson: How about a one year cooling off period before high ranking state officials can go to work as a lobbyist?
Yes sir, Nesbit replied, But I don’t know if I ought to regulate people when they go back into the private sector.
Johnson: How about banning gifts to state employees?
Nesbit: That’s a good idea – as long as it’s well defined.
Johnson: When the Senate convenes will you pass the reform bills the House passed last year?
Nesbit: Yes. I’ve promised they’ll get a hearing – but there are problems with each one.
Johnson: What about requiring appointees to State Boards and Commissions to disclose how much money they raise for candidates?
Nesbit: Yes, of course. But how do you determine who raised what at large fundraisers?
Johnson: Did your personal experience – being cited for failing to disclose Blue Cross and Blue Shield sponsoring your son’s race car team – affect your views on Ethics Reform?
Nesbit pirouetted adroitly.
No, sir, he said. Absolutely not.
Mohammed Ali couldn’t have handled it better.
Martin Nesbit Floats Like a Butterfly
2010-05-12/
There is no political spectacle quite like watching a politician duke it out with a reporter; like when Charlotte Observer reporter Mark Johnson interviewed Senate Democrat Leader Martin Nesbit about cleaning up corruption in state government. Only Nesbit wasn’t punching. He was floating like a butterfly. Like Mohammed Ali.
Johnson took the bull by the horns, asking Nesbit bluntly: Do you support Ethics Reform to clean up corruption in state government?
Yes, of course, Nesbit said. But then he added, Except I’m worried about the unforeseen circumstances.
Johnson: How about banning political donations by state contractors?
Yes, Nesbit said. Then he added, But exactly how you do that, I don’t know.
Johnson: How about a one year cooling off period before high ranking state officials can go to work as a lobbyist?
Yes sir, Nesbit replied, But I don’t know if I ought to regulate people when they go back into the private sector.
Johnson: How about banning gifts to state employees?
Nesbit: That’s a good idea – as long as it’s well defined.
Johnson: When the Senate convenes will you pass the reform bills the House passed last year?
Nesbit: Yes. I’ve promised they’ll get a hearing – but there are problems with each one.
Johnson: What about requiring appointees to State Boards and Commissions to disclose how much money they raise for candidates?
Nesbit: Yes, of course. But how do you determine who raised what at large fundraisers?
Johnson: Did your personal experience – being cited for failing to disclose Blue Cross and Blue Shield sponsoring your son’s race car team – affect your views on Ethics Reform?
Nesbit pirouetted adroitly.
No, sir, he said. Absolutely not.
Mohammed Ali couldn’t have handled it better.