Few would argue (with the exception of the members of the House Democratic Caucus) with the proposition that Jim Black, after a year of ‘pay to play’ scandals, is now the most unpopular man in North Carolina. A series of hearings, investigations, and exposes has left the heretofore sure-footed House Leader battered and bruised.

But don’t despair.

The wiley Democrats have a solution: Art Pope.

The Democrats are going to make Pope the most unpopular man in North Carolina – on the theory that when they do voters are going to forget all about Jim Black.

Look for State House hearings to investigate Pope and the ‘millions’ he’s spending on politics. Look for Pope, his friends, the heads of the different conservative organizations he funds (the Locke Foundation and Republican Legislature Majority Committee) and a bevy of political consultants to be called to testify. Look for a lot of digging into Pope’s company, Variety Wholesalers, Inc.

Look for a State Board of Elections hearings where Pope is treated with the same respect as a video poker operator or an optometrist taking the Fifth.

Then in the fall, as Republicans rev-up their campaign denouncing Black, look for a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth about millionaires buying elections as the Democrats answer them by denouncing Pope.

Click to Read & Post Comments