NC SPIN Online

Mike Easley missed his calling. His performance Wednesday, through five hours of testimony before the State Board of Elections, is worthy of an Academy Award nomination. In the finest Gone with the Wind tradition, Easley, the white Butterfly McQueen effectively said, “Lawsy, Mr. Chairman. I don’t know nuthin’ ‘bout runnin’ no ‘lection campaign for gubner. I been too busy fightin’ crime and legalizin’ gamblin’ to pay ‘tention to puny details about campaigns..”

Mike Easley was the essence of Southern gentility, charm and humility, playing rope-a-dope with the State Board of Election board members. He even acted a bit like Mr. Rogers, helping folks at home who might be watching the video streaming by explaining from time to time just what was going on.. Easley’s attitude seemed to be saying, “Don’t try this at home people. I used to do this for a living. I know how this game is played.”

Here’s what we learned from Easley’s testimony:

* Nobody was in charge of the 2000 and 2004 election campaigns. Easley just called a couple of buddies and everything came together.
* Easley didn’t know Jack about the campaign. He never went to the campaign office, never asked anyone for money, never asked any questions about what anybody was doing. But somehow he could get involved when he thought too much money was being spent and rattled cages to cut spending. By the way, who has ultimate legal authority for what goes on in an election campaign? Isn't it the candidate?
* Nothing was done that was illegal, but if anyone can find something that isn’t squeaky clean just let the Governor know and he’ll make it right…after all he was the top dude.
* McQueen Campbell is a liar. O.K., he’s a handy liar. He knows everyone who can get your home fixed. But he absolutely lied when he said he had been paid for all the flights he provided, then told the State Board he provided $102,000 in flights that had gone unpaid. And never mind the fact that the amount of the Easley home repairs and the check cut to Executive Air were for the same amount.
* Lanny Wilson is a;so a liar.
* Nick Garrett may be a liar…but questioning didn't go there.
* If you say Governor Easley or his campaign did something illegal you’re a liar too!
* There is no slush fund and no donors give money earmarked to a candidate to Democratic Party headquarters.
* Car dealer Bob Bleeker is just one of the finest humans on earth and will probably let you “lease” a car under the same terms as the Easley’s. (By the way, why didn’t anyone ask Easley why Bleeker remembered a conversation with the Governor in which Easley told him the Yukon was for his son, Mike?)

The State Board seemed more on their game Wednesday, but still missed a lot of opportunities for follow-up. They were properly respectful of a former Governor who appointed many of them to their positions but they failed to follow up on many fronts. Once again we loved Bob Cordle’s generous tribute to Easley. Bob, Mikey didn’t need your help.

Tomorrow the hearings are supposed to end. It will be interesting to see how, after such contradicting evidence, the Board will respond. A federal investigator has been present in the room during the entire event. We doubt much was missed. Our bet is that the investigation will be turned over to DA Colon Willoughby.