N.C. Rep. Michael Decker Switches to Democrat Party (Switches Control to Democrats)

NCGOP ^ | NGOP

[jern]

N.C. Representative Michael Decker Switches to Democrat Party

NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY 1506 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27605 Tele. (919) 828-6423 • Fax (919) 899-3815 • www.NCGOP.org For immediate release January 24, 2003 ........................................................................................................

Decker To Go Down As “North Carolina’s Own Jim Jeffords”

(RALEIGH) – In a call today to N.C. Representative Mike Decker of Forsyth County, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Bill Cobey was informed that Rep. Decker has switched to the Democrat Party, changed his registration, and will be voting for Jim Black for Speaker. No reason was given.

“Given Mike Decker’s conservative voting record in the General Assembly, I find this to be irrational and bizarre behavior,” said Cobey. “I wish he had discussed this situation before taking any kind of action, but today is the first I have heard anything of this truly perplexing decision.”

“Mike Decker will unfortunately go down in history as North Carolina’s own Jim Jeffords, switching a closely divided State House from the party that was elected to the majority – the Republican Party – to the party that lost the majority in the November elections – the Democrat Party,” said Cobey.

“I wonder, does all of this mean that Jim Black or Mike Easley have made some type of promise to Decker?” asked Cobey. “Could that promise involve the Speaker pro tem position, which pays 50% more than a rank-and-file member receives, or some promise of a job in the Easley administration?”

-NCGOP-

If you would like to personally express your disappointment to Rep. Decker, his legislative office phone number is (919) 733-5988 and his email is Miked@ncleg.net. His home number is (336) 595-3008.

[Constitution Day]

What the hell!?!? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

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[Constitution Day]

TURNCOAT Alert!

[Tom D.]

What a damned jerk. Let me know who runs against him in 2 years. I do not live anywhere near Forsyth County, but I want to send his opponent some money.

[JohnnyZ]

Decker is evil.

[weegee]

The demonrats accomplish behind closed doors in backroom deals what they can't accomplish at the ballot box.

So much for abiding by the "will of the people". Democracy? Not hardly with the national socialist party.

[widowithfoursons]

North Carolina is goin' to the dogs.

[jimkress]

I thought the fund raising was over. Didn't you reach your goal? Why do you continue to spam threads with your posts?

[wideawake]

This must have been completely unexpected for the GOP leadership, seeing how bitter the rhetoric from the GOP spokesman was.

I wonder what the full story was.

[LibWhacker]

Grrrrrrrr, is right. The party seems to be full of democrat sleepers.

Two can play at this game.

[Phantom Lord]

In a phone interview Mr. Decker was asked to explain his sudden and unexpected move. He had two words "Scott Ritter". This reporter could get nothing more out of Mr. Decker, but it is safe to assume the NC Democratic party has some dirt on Mr. Decker. Possibly that he is a child molestor and they would expose it if he didnt switch. </ sarcasm>

They obviously have some serious shit on him.

[aristeides]

Maybe they had the same kind of information on this guy that's been held on Ritter. I've always suspected Jeffords was blackmailed -- that it was a carrot-and-stick operation, the chairmanship being the carrot, and the blackmail the stick.

[dware]

The FReep-a-thon is over, and they reached their goal. I had very little to do with that. I am on my own personal mission to raise money for FR.

The fact is, leftist extremist organizations have thousands of dollars at their disposal to cram their agendas down our throats. The fundraising done here at FR covers operating costs only.

If you want to have the chance for us to push our agendas, I hope you will support additional funding for FR.

[Phantom Lord]

Ha! See post 12

[aristeides]

Great minds, eh?

[ErnBatavia]

Two can play at this game.

Unfortunately, I think you're wrong....

[Political Junkie Too]

“Could that promise involve the Speaker pro tem position, which pays 50% more than a rank-and-file member receives, or some promise of a job in the Easley administration?”

That sounds like bribery. Offering a more powerful position is one thing, but laundered money is another.

-PJ

[OldFriend]

Sounds like he might have a Scott Ritter problem?

[Norman Conquest]

Ummm... so I guess you repudiate nall those Georgia D-to-R turncoats?

The R problem is we tolerate and encourage these vipers in our midst in the first place. When we have the guts to cut loose the Specters, Snowes and McCains and take our chances with REAL Republicans, we'll be able to sleep at night.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Why can't his betrayed constituants hold a recall election and replace this traitor?

[JohnnyZ]

This jerk didn't even have a Democrat challenger in 2002, he got about 85% against a libertarian. He won the GOP primary for district 94 by 61-39 over Edward Powell.

This is bizarre: he said he should be elected in 2002 because of his party and principles!!!!!!

And here's another good one, Decker criticizing Jim Black's heavy-handed control of the legislature:

http://www.news-record.com/news/government/ga/ncbudget14rk.htm

"But when Democrats and a few Republicans voted to cut off a second day of floor debate after six hours, some GOP lawmakers were incensed that they were unable to have their amendments heard.

Others complained that Democratic leaders had broken their promise to let the deliberations run into the night.

"In a democracy, the minority rights are protected and honored," said Rep. Michael Decker, R-Forsyth. "But it seems that our minority rights in this body today were not."

[LibWhacker]

Lol, you're right . . . It's as if we just don't know how to play hardball . . . Or are too darned politically ethical for own good. Put's us at a definite disadvantage.

[JohnnyZ]

Why can't his betrayed constituants hold a recall election and replace this traitor

That's a good idea; he's a 9-term Rep, so he probably has quite a bit of popularity, but this is just crazy.

[LibWhacker]

Puts

[gonewt]

North Carolina is goin' to the dogs.

It went to the dogs long ago. NC is a conservative state that somehow has a state income tax over 8% and a budget shortfall.

Why? Because the Democrats virtually own the state government. I moved here in '97 from FL, and have been shocked at how bad the taxes are, especially considering the demographic makeup of the state.

[techcor]

No explanation? Maybe he hangs out in the same chat rooms with Ritter. Maybe he doesn't think his wife would be so understanding.

[ACAC]

Michael Decker (Incumbent) – Major Sponsor of Parental Consent Bill in 1995 [t] (click)
– Major Sponsor of the Abortion Clinic Certification Bill in 1999 [t] (click)
– Major Sponsor of the Woman's Right to Know Bill in 1999 [t] (click)
– Major Sponsor of the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions Bill in 1999 [t] (click)
– NCRTL Endorsement, 2000 [t] (click)

This guy seems like a pro-life leader. What is going on?

[JohnnyZ]

Hmmm, I looked up a list of recall procedures by state and nothing is listed for North Carolina. Still, isn't the legislature tied now 60-60? We should be able to elect a speaker, no?

Anyone think we can still elect a speaker?

Anyone?

[JohnnyZ]

He's a pro-life, anti-gay, low-spending conservative, as far as I can figure.

[Constitution Day]

Why can't his betrayed constituants hold a recall election and replace this traitor?

Too bad his betrayed constitutents don't have the gumption for a little tar-and-feather party.

[ACAC]

It is sort of like Chris Cox switching parties. It just does not make any sense to me.

[techcor]

Something really stinks . I really think blackmail is behind some of the switching that seems to happen to people.

[ACAC]

GOP defection shakes up N.C. House


By AMY GARDNER AND LYNN BONNER, STAFF WRITERS

State Rep. Michael P. Decker of Forsyth County switched his party registration to Democrat this morning, leaving the House of Representatives evenly divided and moving the already tumultuous race for speaker toward even further chaos.
Decker, an 18-year veteran of the House, has voted with staunch conservatives over the years on such issues as liquor sales, abortion and social services spending. His defection stunned Republicans and Democrats, and instantly gave House Speaker Jim Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, new momentum in his efforts to retain his post.

"It is just unfathomable given Mike's positions over the years," said state Rep. Sam Ellis, a Raleigh Republican. "He surely went to the wrong party if those are the issues he wishes to advance."

Before the switch, Republicans controlled the House by a margin of 61 to 59. Now, the balance will be 60 Republicans and 60 Democrats.

Speculation swirled, meanwhile, at Decker's motives. Ellis and others said Black has offered Decker the position of speaker pro tem, the No. 2 post in the state House.

Decker could not be reached for comment early today, but the Forsyth County Board of Elections confirmed that Decker switched party registration at 10 a.m.

Black also was unavailable.

Decker did deny as recently as Wednesday that he was working on any deals. "I haven't made any requests and haven't gotten any offers," he said.

[ACAC]

The reason that people are shocked is that this guy is a conservative. Those Dems in MS and GA are conservatives just switching to the conservative party. Why would a conservative switch to the liberal party?

[Constitution Day]

Something is rotten here.

[defeat_the_dem_igods]

Decker represents portions of the N.C. Triad region, a major metropolitan area, where next-door-neighbors live in anonymity. This would NOT happen in rural North Carolina.

IMO this has everything to do with the Leo Daughtry struggle (speaker to lead the House as the General Assembly) within the NCGOP.

[A2J]

Why can't his betrayed constituants hold a recall election and replace this traitor?

But would the Republicans call those who switch to the GOP "traitors" and warmly embrace those who also would betray their constituents in doing so?

This is a little hypocritical, don't you think?

[defeat_the_dem_igods]

Well, once he states his reason then people can applaud or condemn.

Well stated guaguanco

FYI, Decker, a school teacher (and maybe an NCAE member) had been a registered Democrat before seeking elected office.

[A2J]

They obviously have some serious s**t on him.

Then maybe it's good for the Republicans to be rid of him.

[JohnnyZ]

This is a little hypocritical, don't you think?

No, this is a situation where voters elected a conservative as a member of the conservative Party, and he's betraying them by giving power to the liberal Party, thus furthering the liberal agenda. And since there's no conceivable ideological reason for the switch, it looks to be just for power and money.

When conservative Democrats switch to the GOP, they are furthering the conservative agenda of the conservative Party, and the voters who voted for that conservative candidate shouldn't mind.

When liberal Republicans switch to the Democrat Party, it's certainly understandable, except when done for slimeball reasons of power politics, like the Jeffords thing, and directly after election to a 6-year term! With Decker, too, he switched right after being elected. Slimy!!!

[F.J. Mitchell]

Democrats do switch sometime, but how many can you name who have switched at a time when their switch moved their party from the majority to the minority? Decker and Jeffords did more than switch-they sold out to the enemy.

[weegee]

If the purpose of someone's change of party affiliation is purely to change the balance of power in the Senate then it is unconscionable.

In the Senate we need the numbers and I can accept but not admire RINOs. I see no reason to rally around ex-Dems like the NYC mayor who isn't much of a better alternative to having a mayor with a D next to his name.

Here in Houston, the mayor's office is a "non-partisan" office. The races are never partisan when the candidates are all D or I. Get one Republican in the race and suddenly it is "partisan". The Republicans who run for mayor down here are conservatives. Even then I am voting for the candidate's politics and not the letter (there is no "gain" for the democrats in saying that they have x number of mayors in major cities in this country; they have no power outside of their cities).

Some Democrats walked away from their party when Clinton embarassed them, but it did not shift the balance of power.

[F.J. Mitchell]

BUMP!

[JohnnyZ]

Oh, I see. And the Mississippi democratic (mostly) voters elected a democratic candidate. but really in their heart-of-hearts they wanted to be republicans and vote for a republican. He just saved them the trouble. Makes perfect sense to me. Riiiiight...

Wow, Guano-boy you are one thick-skulled jerk -- spare me the sarcasm!!! You can't tell the difference between a conservative Democrat who switches to the conservative party before the election, not affecting legislative control, vs. a conservative Republican who switches to the liberal party after the election, thereby denying Republicans outright control of the House?

Man, are you thick-headed!!!

[Windom Earle]

Party activists are furious. This guy owes an explanation to his constituents and to the GOP.

I will personally crawl to Forsyth County next year if it would help defeat this guy.

WE