Republicans know the score

Published July 29, 2013

While the national and state media, along with a slew of Democratic and liberal pundits, are expressing outrage at this session of the General Assembly they ignore one obvious fact: Republicans are good at keeping score.

They learned from the best, namely Democrats, who ignored their cries for openness and accountability. The GOP studied as Democrats gerrymandered legislative districts to ensure they stayed in control, held closed door budget and legislative meetings, and learned the tricks to pass the lottery, shut off debate and ram their agendas through the legislature.

And yes, there were many of us, especially on NC SPIN, who railed against these tactics when the Dems did it just as we now complain about them now.

Despite what some may be saying about them Republican leaders are smart and here’s what they know and are counting on:

The public, outraged as some of them are at this moment, will have long forgotten what they were outraged about them come November 2014, the next Election Day

Democrats have the same problem today Republicans had for many years…a dearth of good candidates to challenge incumbents

Legislative leaders readily admit their party may take some hits in both the House and Senate in next year’s elections but because they learned their lessons so well from Democrats they have drawn districts virtually guaranteeing they will remain in control of the legislature.

As mama always said, "That doesn't make it right, but it is correct." It would take some major event for Republicans to lose control of our state for the short-term future. Like we said, they know the score.