The Disloyal Democrat
Democrats broke the supermajority. But they can’t keep it broke if their own members break ranks.
Last week, Senator Don Davis of Pitt County was the only Democrat who voted with Republicans to override Governor Cooper’s veto of a controversial abortion bill. The override passed, thanks to Davis.
Democrats are livid. They say the bill, the so-called “Born Alive Protection Act,” outlaws something that doesn’t happen, the same sick fantasy Trump spins when he claims that doctors and mothers decide whether to kill newborn babies. The bill’s only purpose, Democrats say, is political: stir up the Republican base.
Now, Davis has stirred up a hornets’ nest in his base. Four progressive groups – Planned Parenthood, Lillian’s List, Advance Carolina and LEAD NC – quickly announced that they will recruit and support a primary opponent against Davis next March.
Groups that spent millions of dollars last year to break the Republican supermajority won’t hesitate to spend what it takes to win a primary, a much smaller (and less expensive) target.
Why did Davis do it? Some observers speculate that he listened to a few conservative voices in his district and assumed that’s what his constituents want. Some think he might find a present under the Christmas tree when Senate Republicans unwrap their budget. Or when they draw new congressional maps.
The abortion bill saga isn’t over yet. The override is now before the House. If House Democrats stay united, they have the votes to uphold Governor Cooper’s veto.
I’ve watched political pros deal with disloyalty. In 1981, Governor Jim Hunt was trying to get Democratic legislators to vote for a gas-tax increase. One House Democrat told the Governor he just couldn’t vote for it because he promised his constituents he’d oppose it.
The Governor said he understood. John A. Williams, Jr., the Governor’s legendarily tough Executive Assistant and Budget Director, said he understood too. The next day, money for a big project in the member’s district mysteriously disappeared from the budget.
Politics ain’t beanbag.
The Disloyal Democrat
Democrats broke the supermajority. But they can’t keep it broke if their own members break ranks.
Last week, Senator Don Davis of Pitt County was the only Democrat who voted with Republicans to override Governor Cooper’s veto of a controversial abortion bill. The override passed, thanks to Davis.
Democrats are livid. They say the bill, the so-called “Born Alive Protection Act,” outlaws something that doesn’t happen, the same sick fantasy Trump spins when he claims that doctors and mothers decide whether to kill newborn babies. The bill’s only purpose, Democrats say, is political: stir up the Republican base.
Now, Davis has stirred up a hornets’ nest in his base. Four progressive groups – Planned Parenthood, Lillian’s List, Advance Carolina and LEAD NC – quickly announced that they will recruit and support a primary opponent against Davis next March.
Groups that spent millions of dollars last year to break the Republican supermajority won’t hesitate to spend what it takes to win a primary, a much smaller (and less expensive) target.
Why did Davis do it? Some observers speculate that he listened to a few conservative voices in his district and assumed that’s what his constituents want. Some think he might find a present under the Christmas tree when Senate Republicans unwrap their budget. Or when they draw new congressional maps.
The abortion bill saga isn’t over yet. The override is now before the House. If House Democrats stay united, they have the votes to uphold Governor Cooper’s veto.
I’ve watched political pros deal with disloyalty. In 1981, Governor Jim Hunt was trying to get Democratic legislators to vote for a gas-tax increase. One House Democrat told the Governor he just couldn’t vote for it because he promised his constituents he’d oppose it.
The Governor said he understood. John A. Williams, Jr., the Governor’s legendarily tough Executive Assistant and Budget Director, said he understood too. The next day, money for a big project in the member’s district mysteriously disappeared from the budget.
Politics ain’t beanbag.