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Wed later: Rand Update
posted at 2009-11-04 22:04 | Last modified 2009-11-04 22:04
Update #1: The GOP responds
Just after I posted my earlier entry on Rand's resignation, Senate GOP leader Phil Berger weighed in:
"Senator Rand has had a long and distinguished career in the North Carolina Senate and maintained a deep respect for Senate traditions. While he and I have often disagreed on matters of policy, he was always someone who kept his word. Given the dramatic leftward drift of the State Senate Democratic Caucus, Senator Rand increasingly found his views at odds with his more liberal Democratic colleagues and that may have led to this decision."
Hmm. Maybe, but I'm not convinced that's the reason for Rand's defection to the executive branch.
I can say I saw some changes in Rand this past year. He was more irascible than usual, less careful, and more likely to pick a fight, especially with reporters. You can blame it on a tough budget year, or the state health plan mess - Rand was a key player in bringing Jack Walker back to head up the SHP. Or you can blame the pressure caused by the federal investigation into Rand's longtime friend and ally Mike Easley. Or you could say persistent rumors of Basnight's imminent departure made Rand see the writing on the wall.
Any of those could be true. But it could also be true that a 70-year-old man who's been working 80+ hour weeks and raising crazy amounts of money for his party since, oh, at least 1995 decided a well-paid 8-to-5 gig might not be so bad.That's essentially what Rand said today. Read on for more.
Update #2: Rand on Rand
When I caught up with Rand on his cell phone, he didn't sound like he'd had much time to rehearse his explanation. Here's what he had to say (4:23).
Listen Now!
Rand says he expects to formally resign his seat by the end of the year. Whatever you think of his politics, I can tell you my soundbite file will miss him.
Comments? Drop me a line.
