Power is hard to get; harder to give up

Former president George Bush was asked to write about our first president’s leadership as part of our nation’s 250^thanniversary.

Bush wrote that what impressed him most about Washington was his humility. Bush wrote, “I have studied the corrupting nature of power, and how retaining power for power’s sake has infected politics for generations… Washington’s humility in giving up power willingly remains among the most consequential decisions and important examples in American politics.”

Historians and longtime observers of North Carolina politics can find examples of politicians giving up power willingly and others where it was taken from them.

Jim Hunt was inaugurated governor in January 1977, half-way through the state’s fiscal budget year. Hunt remarked there was little he could do to implement any new programs or initiatives until a new budget could be passed in July of that year. By the time he could get new budget initiatives passed and initiated his term would be almost half over, leaving little time to see results. Hunt proposed that our governor should be able to serve two consecutive four-year terms, giving the governor more power. We amended our constitution to allow gubernatorial succession.

But in solving one problem we created one more significant with our legislature.

Prior to that enactment, the state Senate was run by the Lieutenant Governor, who appointed committees, determined which bills would be considered and made powerful appointments during his four years. Now, with the Senate controlled by a Lieutenant Governor who could potentially be in office for eight years, House members felt their power was diminished. By tradition the House the Speaker was elected to serve one two-year term; after every legislative election a new Speaker was chosen.

The House determined to level the playing field by allowing a House Speaker to serve more than one two-year term. After Carl Stewart became Speaker for four years Madison County’s Liston Ramsey was elected. Over eight years Liston consolidated power and put key lieutenants in important chairmanships. Ramsey loved the power and loved using it, but a growing number of House members grew unhappy that they had little chance to become committee chairs because Ramsey kept his lieutenants in charge.

When a new crop of bright young legislators was elected in 1988, they decided the only way to get Ramsey to relinquish power was to remove him. Led by Democrat Joe Mavretic, a group of 20 Democrats and 45 Republicans staged a coup and threw Ramsey out as Speaker.

Meanwhile, the Senate had been watching and many wanted to elect one of their own to lead them instead of the Lieutenant Governor who had little loyalty or obligation to their body. When Republican Jim Gardner was elected Lieutenant Governor, Democratic Senators made their move, stripping virtually all the powers and authority previously held by the Lieutenant Governor and vesting it in the Senate President Pro Tem.

Introducing Marc Basnight. The Dare County Democrat was elected to the Senate with the backing of the powerful Daniels family and Walter Davis. Basnight was a fast learner, interning himself with Kenneth Royall from Durham, longtime head of the powerful Senate Budget Committee. Most acknowledged Royall had forgotten more about the state budget than they would ever learn. Like a classic movie plot, it wasn’t long before the student became the teacher.

Basnight maneuvered Royall out and in 1993 was elected Senate President Pro Tem. Marc loved the levers of power and led for eight years, installing lieutenants like Tony Rand, David Hoyle and others into powerful chairmanships. Marc not only dominated the Senate but usually ended up getting the upper hand in negotiations with the House. It took a serious illness to get Basnight to step down.

Enter Phil Berger, the Rockingham Republican who became Pro Tem following Basnight. As Senate minority leader Phil had learned from Basnight how to consolidate power and use it. Now in his 16^th year as Senate leader Berger has become the most powerful politician in North Carolina and has shown no intention of relinquishing power.

Now Berger is being seriously challenged by a very popular Republican Sheriff from Rockingham in the March 3^rdprimary. Some are speculating he may be upset, which would force new leadership be selected in the Senate.

But having observed state politics for more than 50 years I don’t think Berger will lose. He can call in too many favors and dollars. He will use his power to win his election, but I do believe Phil Berger will be damaged as a result. It may be the beginning of the end for him.

President Bush was right about the corrupting power of politics. The old axiom says, “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. North Carolina needs to examine how we can prevent too few having too much power for too long.

Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965.  Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com