Perdue 'Suspend Elections to Congress For Two Years' Audio Surfaces -- Via Reporter Who Called It a 'Joke' (Updated)
UPDATE: John Frank responded to yours truly in an email. Go to the end of the post for the email and my reax.
Yesterday, Raleigh News & Observer blog contributor jbfrank, who from all indications is also RN&O reporter John Frank, assured readers that North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue was joking when she suggested that "I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years" at a Rotary Club luncheon in Cary.
That's what his headline said: "Perdue jokes about suspending Congressional elections for two years." There were no quote marks around "jokes." The headline echoed what the Governor's apparatchiks were saying. All the while, "Frank" had audio and didn't post it. He finally did this morning, and acknowledged that he was the one who did the taping:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Gov. Bev Perdue's off-the-cuff remark about suspending Congressional elections to focus on the economy went viral. Her aides tried to walk it back, calling it "hyperbole" and suggesting she was joking. (So did you, pal. -- Ed.)
... As background, her remarks came during a Q&A at the Cary Rotary Club meeting. A man in the audience asked Perdue what she can do to turn around the economy. (The question is not included on the tape because I didn't flick my recorder on quickly enough.)
I have posted the audio (BizzyBlog entry; direct mp3 link; each should open in a new tab or window).
The key passage:
“You have to have more ability from Congress, I think, to work together and to get over the partisan bickering and focus on fixing things. I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. The one good thing about Raleigh is that for so many years we worked across party lines. It’s a little bit more contentious now but it’s not impossible to try to do what’s right in this state. You want people who don’t worry about the next election.”
As I noted at my place a couple of hours ago: "There is no chance that North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue was “joking” — not even in a Steven Wright sense."
As for "Frank" -- What a weasel (believe me, there are plenty of less clean words I would prefer to use right about now):
- He let the world know about what the governor said and assured us that she was joking.
- He had completely contradictory audio and held it for almost a day.
- He still won't come clean. His disingenuous headline today is "Was Perdue joking? You decide. Listen here." Matt Drudge's link tease is dead-on: "DESPITE CLAIMS: AUDIO SHOWS NC GOV'S 'SUSPEND ELECTION' -- NO JOKE!..." No kidding.
I suspect that the RN&O reporter was hoping against hope that no one else was taping (a good bet, since that would not be the given audience's first inclination, and it may be that the Governor requested no taping, which the group would have honored), and that no one would see that he was. But (again speculating), someone did. Or (again speculating), others at RN&O either found out that he did or pressured him to admit it.
The actions of "Frank" are no different from those you would expect from a butt-covering aide to the Governor herself. They certain aren't the actions of an objective reporter. It is a mystery why "Frank" remains employed as one.
UPDATE: RN&O reporter John Frank emailed me from jfrank@newsobserver.com shortly after 5 p.m. Here is its content (he communicated no expectation of confidentiality) --
Hey Tom,
This is John Frank, a political reporter at the News & Observer. I saw you picked up on Gov. Perdue's remarks. The original headline was "Perdue suggest suspending Congressional elections for two years -- was she serious?" It was updated later in the day to reflect the new information we received from the governor's office, which called it "hyperbole." Joke was used to suggest she wasn't serious in the headline. I didn't put joke in quotes though. I can assure you there is no case of bias -- and folks on the Democratic and Republican side were both up in arms about the story/remarks.
The audio didn't get posted until this morning because we had to edit it from a large file and it took the work of a few folks in the newsroom. Sorry we didn't get it up faster.
I appreciate your interest in the story and thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any more questions.
John
John Frank
Staff Writer
The News & Observer
My reax at BizzyBlog just a bit ago:
Sorry, John. No sale. If there were no bias, "joke" would have been in quotes. It wasn't.
Because it wasn't, a typical reader would take it to mean that it really was a joke. It wasn't.
If you meant to communicate that Perdue or her peeps thought it was a joke, you would have put "joke" in quotes. You didn't.
The excuse about the slow processing time for an obviously hot, time-sensitive audio is either pathetic or deceptive. Pathetic if, as I suspect, the audio involved was at the beginning of your recording of the event (likely, since you said that the audience member's question "is not included on the tape because I didn't flick my recorder on quickly enough"). Still pathetic, if RN&O couldn't round anyone up to process audio pronto if you don't know how to do it yourself. Deceptive, if you deliberately waited until this morning for the purpose of planting the seed that it was a joke (note that a local AP story bit on it last night) so that by the time we all found out that it really wasn't it would be semi-old news.
To experience true nausea, check out Frank's writeup of President Obama's visit to North Carolina two weeks ago.
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Comments
Left-wing wet dreams. They
Submitted by rbosque on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:09pm.
Left-wing wet dreams. They all have a megalomaniac complex, no wonder they love dictators and despots.
BS
Submitted by dclark3 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:32pm.
The members of this fine forum are mistaken. I know Bev Pardue and she is the most conservative democrat I have ever met. I think your misinterpreting her remark. She is saying that DEMOCRATS are afraid to pass the needed cuts -- for fear of loosing next term.
Bev is no fool - nor does she dream of circumventing democracy. I didn’t vote for her, but having meet and talked her a few times I came away very impressed.
She is doing a hell of a job cutting fat out of our budget. Frankly she's taking heat form both sides. The Republicans who simply don’t like democrats - who also have pet projects in my state. AND the Democrats who have spent the state into oblivion. Ask a few NC teachers how much the like Bev. They hate her. She has single handedly cut more pork then any NC governor I can remember.
Really? She said that dems are afraid?
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:50pm.
Which line in the quote goes anywhere near that?
She said that the elections in '12 should be postponed for two years, how does that not equate to "circumventing democracy"? Then she hoped for agreement on her idea. By her words, the citizens of NC should be setting about the task of impeachment.
Well I've been around her
Submitted by ricklail on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 5:34pm.
Well I've been around her numerous times. There is nothing conservative about her. As for teachers, I hear all the time they've had enough of her. She is a back stabber. Just ask my former boss. They used to be good friends. They were like stink on crap. She stabbed her in the back and that freindship is gone. I just wish you could talk to her. She was the former chair of the Pamilco County Demnorcrats but not any more. She is very charming but so are some snakes.
Don't try to fool these people here. I've posted enough articles about her so they know where she stands. By the way she is part, a big part, of the reason this state is in the shape it is. She voted for every budget bill that had so much pork in it if it was thrown into a fire it'd smell like bacon cooking.
Are we talking about the same Bev Perdue from here in Craven County? If she is so conservative why would she not allow the attorney general to join the suit against Obamacare with other states?
Oh yeah and she tells the lie she is a coal miner's daughter. Her daddy owned a coal mine in VA, strip mine at that.
I feel sorry for you that she has you fooled like many other in this state. Maybe you need to come down here to Craven County and ask around.
Rick, dclark has only been here a short time.
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 11:50pm.
One week short of two years, and he has one post to his credit. If we're lucky, he'll return in another two years. Or just stay at DU or Kos.
Been reading Brent Bozell for years.
Submitted by dclark3 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:45pm.
Nope -- I just don't normally have time to post on boards. That said - I'm not blindly taking any posts at face value. I believe in accountability for republicans even more that liberals ( as they can't seem to understand the concept).
Look -- bash as much as you want, but don't jump to wild conclusions. The thing that sickens me most about the liberal press it its wild double standard - where Liberals and Democrats get the widest benefit of the doubt, but conservatives and republicans are subjected to the highest level of scrutiny. Don't be like them.
Don't feel sorry for me.
Submitted by dclark3 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:36pm.
I' didn't say Bev was conservative. I said she was the most conservative Democrat I have met. Meaning she is no liberal whack job that wants to subvert democracy. As is suggested in this article. Further, you're suggesting that I've somehow been "fooled" by democratic pandering -- you're mistaken.
Here's the salient point. There are many, many liberals, who richly deserve the verbal lashing they get for making: uneducated, foolish, and stupid remarks concerning practically every aspect of government -- but this instance is overblown.
As a Christian, a conservative, and a republican - we must meet a higher standard than the likes of Rachel Maddow and her fellows. I don't want our team to stoop to their level.
The only b.s. is coming from you there dclark
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 5:34am.
and if she's a democrat in these modern times, she isn't a conservative. Very few have not followed the party line and no conservative minded individual would ever ask to purposely circumvent the constitution like your ilk does... try again!
I think what dclark
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 1:36pm.
was trying to say is, she's not AS liberal as other democrats.
Well that's refreshing and neither are some RINO's as
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 2:41pm.
liberal as some democrats, but they're still liberal unfortunately.
Sorry dclark3...
Submitted by packman on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 9:08am.
there's no such thing as a "conservative democrat." In fact that phrase tops today's list of oxymorons. And just for your information, the "members" of this fine forum are rarely mistaken.
"...Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread..." ~Thomas Jefferson
Packman there really are
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 1:03pm.
Packman there really are conservative Democrats, Zell Miller comes to mind and Lieberman is OK but has problems.
Why, it's almost as if
Submitted by Van Halen on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:11pm.
Why, it's almost as if jbfrank was doing his part to circle the wagons around this fool of a governor!
Gov. Perdue is a Radical Liberal-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:12pm.
she want to circumvent the Laws of the land.
so, lets just cuff her-fly her to GITMO-and ask there if she was "joking"
a little waterboarding will let us find the truth.
This was no Freudian slip. She meant what she said.
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:23pm.
The idea that this was only a joke does not pass the smell test, nor does it pass this psychiatrist's evaluation of the circumstances. Based on the repeat of the same idea from Orszag and from similar themes from the current Democrat propagandists and apologists, it appears this idea is floating around their empty heads.
Someone who is joking
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:24pm.
would NOT say I really hope that someone can agree with me on that.
Rush was surmising about this
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:26pm.
Rush was surmising about this today and "wondered" why they would want to suspend elections while Republicans have a majority.
His conclusion: they expect an even bigger wipeout in 2012.
Agreed. We have them on the
Submitted by deerjerkydave on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:22pm.
Agreed. We have them on the run, but we can't give up until Washington is restored to it's proper place in the constitution. It may take many elections cycles.
------------------------
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. -James MadisonWhat a Great Idea!
Submitted by paragrouper on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:45pm.
Then we can let our government really get to work--just like Venezuela....
...have you seen my lithium?
No question, they're scared
Submitted by rbosque on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:46pm.
No question, they're scared #@%#less about losing their power. It's all they care about.
Why.......
Submitted by Bob K on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:48pm.
listening to the audio how could one conclude it was anything but a joke? Timing...delivery....the only thing missing was a snare drum rim-shot. ****Sarcasm, off****
My Thoughts As Well
Submitted by stratman on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 10:59pm.
Perdue needs more lessons from Joan Rivers and less deadpanning from Steven Wright. Not one person laughed in the audience. I guess she will not be asked to the next celebrity roast... where even Mike Tyson gets invited (Charlie Sheen's recent roast). Maybe a summer performing in the Catskills will hone her comedic skills. At least she should step aside and let someone who isn't a Statist wanting to subvert the law run North Carolina.
Speaking of roasting Perdue, I had a delightful chicken sandwich for lunch.
Bev is such a dumb bunny.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:02pm.
She is also quite an accomplished liar. To say, "for so many years we worked across party lines" in NC is laughable. The only time the democraps ever reach across party lines is when they are out of power. When they have complete control, it's all liberal all the time.
You have to cut the reporter just a tiny bit of slack about saying Bev was joking. Her plastic surgery is so botched and bad that she only has one expression on that face. Facial expression ain't something you can use to decide if she's joking or not. Probably affects her voice also, since it hardly ever changes. I guess it's because her lips don't move.
Someone said recently that one more plastic surgery and Bev's mouth would reach from ear to ear, and she'd look like The Joker. Two more plastic surgery's and she'd look like The Joker with a goatee.
We won't even get into the rumors about Bev and the Highway Patrol trooper.
Bubba
Submitted by ricklail on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:11pm.
A lot off folks in this state call her The Joker. I call her Gov. Dumpling. Chicken, get it? I don't need to add anything to what you said. You pretty much nailed it. She has been in Raleigh since the late 80's. I have never known her to reach out to Republicans. She is from right here in Craven County, New Bern to be exact. I could add all the affairs I've heard about but we'll not go into that. Yes, the former Highway Patrol commander was one of them.
Yeah, Rick.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:34pm.
"Craven" sounds like the perfect name for a place Bev would be from!
Bubba
Submitted by ricklail on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 5:37pm.
She was born and rasied in Virginia. Probably near Tugboat Phil's area. She was a graduate of the U of Florida in education. Sorry Blonde but I had to tell that
Hehe, Go Gata!!
Submitted by lsudolemite on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 7:31pm.
Hehe, Go Gata!!
I have always maintained...
Submitted by Iowa Boy on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:38pm.
...that Democrats aren't the slightest bit interested in democracy.
Invoke martial law
Submitted by Vonu on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:44pm.
And not hold anyone accountable. Sounds like Obama's second term.
North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:44pm.
Is the joke. And she ain't funny. She knows damn well the democrats are losing in the arena of ideas. Simply uttering that elections should be suspended is anti-American. Joke or not.
Time for censure or a recall.... This is not Cuba. Venezuela. North Korea. The liberal democrats are not getting the job done and they are afraid of the voter results in 2012!
Next... get rid of establishment, "reach across the aisle," moderate republicans!
On the flip side we could
Submitted by TerryWest on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 4:55pm.
On the flip side we could take the pressure off and get the country rolling towards real recovery by holding the elections this Nov instead of waiting until 2012
Not An Entirely Bad Idea!
Submitted by Avitar on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 5:33pm.
But the House of Representatives has gotten more responsible with recent elections. The Senate on the other hand has not in over 800 days soon to be over 900 days passed a budget and has not taken a vote on dozens of bills which have passed the House.
I recommend repealing the 17th amendment. If we are going to provide Senators with six year terms in office we need them to report to bosses far less forgiving than the American People. Repeal the 17th amendment and make the Senators report to their legislatures like it was before 1912. If they had to do that they would not leave a zombie like Reid in as their leader.
If it takes a calling a Constitutional Convention to repeal the 17th think about repealing the 16th amendment as well. The trade deficit will never go away if we keep taxing the labor to manufacture exports.
Your rebuttal
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 7:00pm.
Mr. Blumer, very nice rebuttal on your part to Frank's email. I like how he tried to tell you what it really was, real nice of him, wasn't it?
It never ceases to amaze me how these people will argue with you until they are blue in the face that the sky is green despite obvious evidence to the contrary. I think the standard quote for that is "you took it out of context!"
-Jon
Thx.
Submitted by Tom Blumer on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 7:34pm.
He sent another thanking me for linking to his Sept. 14 Obama (mostly) praise piece -- or at least someone using his email address did. ...
Had to be someone
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:06am.
You know it had to be someone doing that, kinda like a form letter "thank you for your recent email" yadda yadda yabba dabba doo-hooey.
Either way, wish more people would do what you did and take on these MSM weasels like you did, that would be prime entertainment ripe for movie style buttered popcorn.
Keep up the great and awesome work. (saying "keep up the good work" seems kinda trite if you think about it)
-Jon
Why stop there Guv. Perdue....?
Submitted by Chandran on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 7:38pm.
Get those gulags operational for those who disagree. Heck, sharpen the gulliotine for the TEA party conservatives. Not to worry, the media will cover for you.
Governor Perdue, how about we suspend elections after the elections of 2012. Im sure that thats not a good idea huh.
Impeach Governor Perdue NOW !!!
Good job of chasing this
Submitted by fatboy on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 8:42pm.
Good job of chasing this weasel down and putting him in a cage where he belongs. Another example of why you simply cannot believe anything that anyone at anytime from the MSM has to say.
Joke
Submitted by alvin on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 9:46pm.
Republicans don't have a sense of humor and didn't recognize the joke. They're just angry.
That is because, chipmunk---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 11:22pm.
they, unlike Democrats, see the disaster that is Obama, and tend to get p.o.'d when an ignorant liberal insists that any perspective from the right is in error.
MD
Did you even
Submitted by Bob K on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:29am.
bother listening to the audio of her words. No laughing, no break for laughter. She was not joking and now she has been exposed. Sucks to be a brainless liberal, huh?
Oh okay let's just take out some of the amendments to
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 5:40am.
the constitution like freeing the slaves, or right to free speech, or women's suffrage (that's the right to vote for you uneducated types), or right to bear arms... oh wait you may like that one but it means to have a gun not to shave your pits just in case you didn't understand the meaning of the constitution... ha ha just kidding!
Not so funny now is it?
You're right alvin...
Submitted by packman on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 9:17am.
We repubs don't have any sense of humor at all when one of our elected officials publicly wishes that we should suspend the Constitution of the United States and then asks essentially, "can I get an amen on that?" Yeah, we're just angry. But at least we're not dumb and stupid. Can I get an amen?
"...Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread..." ~Thomas Jefferson
It has been
Submitted by Bob K on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:27am.
at least two days. So far I can find two threads at the leftist site DU on it......just two. One has around 10 comments, the other, only 4 or 5 comments. And since the audio of it came out they have stopped commenting on it at all. They really hate things like that, LOL.