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State Employees Group Endorses GOP's Ballantine (NC)
newsandrecord.com ^ | 8-31-04 | Associated Press

Posted on 08/31/2004 7:58:16 AM PDT by thomas70

Raleigh,NC-In a slap to Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, a state association representing more than 50,000 state employees and retirees is endorsing a Republican for governor for the first time.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsandrecord.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: patrickballantine
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1 posted on 08/31/2004 7:58:16 AM PDT by thomas70
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To: thomas70

Has a union gone moderate, or did the NCGOP pick a RINO?


2 posted on 08/31/2004 8:11:15 AM PDT by dangus
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To: dangus

As NC teachers (backed by a powerful teachers' union, the NCAE) received yearly raises, other state employees received nothing for 4 years. This, on top of the State Employees Association having their trust fund raided by Gov. Easley (by $130 million) was enough to convince this group to finally endorse a Republican. Another tidbit: about 2 years ago, state employees and teachers were mistakenly given bonuses in the midst of a state budget crisis. The teachers were allowed to keep their bonuses, but non-teachers were forced to give the bonuses back to the state. The power of the mighty teacher's union over Governor Easley and the Democrats in NC...


3 posted on 08/31/2004 8:23:21 AM PDT by thomas70
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To: thomas70

A union endorsing a Republican? Just when you thought you had seen everything....


4 posted on 08/31/2004 8:33:52 AM PDT by webheart
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To: dangus
Neither. Dana Cope, the leader of their band, has been unwilling to bend under the heavy handed Democrat machine in NC, particularly Marc Basnight, who has exiled him from the "Second Floor" in the General Assembly building since 2000.

The state Senate GOP Caucus thought they had entered the Twilight Zone when Cope asked Ballantine to speak to them a few years ago.

Ballantine can't be a RINO and a "Right Wing Nutjob" like me, at the same time.

The official story from SEANC's standpoint is exactly what it appears to be. Ballantine has been upfront about merit pay and real Reductions in Force, and giving State Employees a Reason for Being mission beyong featherbeading and self-continuity.

This is what it appears to be, and Cope and Ballantine's people worked long and hard to hammer this out.

Way to go Dana, way to go!

5 posted on 08/31/2004 8:38:09 AM PDT by Prospero (Ad Astra!)
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To: Prospero

Then this is quite good news!


6 posted on 08/31/2004 8:40:40 AM PDT by dangus
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To: thomas70; Constitution Day
Ping worthy bump!

MKM

7 posted on 08/31/2004 10:12:02 AM PDT by mykdsmom (Kerry/Edwards: When you're as full of sh!t as these guys, you need 2 Johns!)
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To: mykdsmom; TaxRelief; 100%FEDUP; 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; ~Vor~; A2J; a4drvr; Adder; ...
This is hugh!

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day, TaxRelief or Helms if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.
8 posted on 08/31/2004 10:13:17 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Prospero
Just sent this article to my mom who is a Democrat, former teacher, and current school administrator.

Her reaction will be interesting, I'm sure.

9 posted on 08/31/2004 10:17:54 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Darth Reagan

ping


10 posted on 08/31/2004 10:18:47 AM PDT by marblehead17 (I love it when a plan comes together.)
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BTTT


11 posted on 08/31/2004 10:30:15 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Constitution Day

This is great news. I heard it on the car radio -- right before playing a tape of Easley saying "I'm sure the rank and file will vote for me."


12 posted on 08/31/2004 10:50:59 AM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Howlin

Yeah, I heard that too, on WPTF. We'll see! :)


13 posted on 08/31/2004 11:01:35 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Constitution Day

I honestly don't know how to respond except for WOW!


14 posted on 08/31/2004 11:04:35 AM PDT by 100%FEDUP
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To: Constitution Day

Dana Cope was regularly on Agar the past couple years and he seemed to always have his head on straight and be an honest man.


15 posted on 08/31/2004 12:21:06 PM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: dangus
I do not think either is the case just Dana Cope is very aggressive, but I am not a fan of his. At a time when many private sector companies have suspended raises for several years Cope seems to think public sector employees deserve them. If Cope has his way government jobs will make more money than those of us working in the private sector whose tax dollars are supporting them, and we do not have nearly the benefit package or retirement fund that government workers have.
16 posted on 08/31/2004 12:27:49 PM PDT by THE MODERATE
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To: Constitution Day

Shock and awe!


17 posted on 08/31/2004 6:17:04 PM PDT by wimpycat (My anti-terrorism platform: Nip it! (in the bud))
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To: wimpycat
You know it!

(and LOL @ your tagline)

18 posted on 08/31/2004 6:19:00 PM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Constitution Day

That reminds me. I thought of a new one today.


19 posted on 08/31/2004 6:28:46 PM PDT by wimpycat (John Kerry has a fevah, and the only prescription is "MORE COWBELL".)
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To: THE MODERATE

You know nothing of Dana Cope.


20 posted on 09/01/2004 10:08:33 AM PDT by blackbag (trust no one)
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