Recall that odd comment from Speaker Jim Black about not being able to talk to anyone about anything? Maybe that is because the FBI is pouring over records of Black political meetings held at Carmel Country Club.
In Raleigh there is already speculation about Black’s ability to survive as speaker given the sheer number of questions about his political operation. The Spin Cycle newsletter puts it this way:
The big buzz on the street right now questions whether or not House Speaker Jim Black can survive the scandal swarming around him. Even stalwart supporters question how effective Black will be in raising money for the ’06 elections, saying Democrats can ill afford to go into this cycle with empty coffers. They are secretly saying that Black is so badly damaged that he needs to step down.
This could prove interesting. When Richard Morgan rose to power, House Democrats changed their rules. In times past if the Speaker died or resigned from office, the Speaker Pro Tem automatically rose to the position. The rules now say that there will be a special election for Speaker.
Of course, Black should do the right thing for the people of Matthews, Mecklenburg, and North Carolina and simply resign.
