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.

[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?