Easley detached on tough issues

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:34:02 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley's detached style is well known.

When he was elected, he made it clear that he was not interested in ribbon cuttings, glad handing or talking to reporter, and for eight years it has not mattered much.

But as his final term is coming to a close, a series of high-profile problems at agencies in his administration could overshadow Easley's goals.

The state Department of Transportation has lost the confidence of legislators. Probation officers at the state Department of Correction are overworked. The state Highway Patrol has become a punchline for sexual misconduct. Reform of the mental health system failed. And a public records flap has hurt the governor's office.

Easley emphasized that he is fixing the problems.

"I think any governor has to accept responsibility for things that go wrong," Easley said last week in an interview. "People don't want to see the governor out tap-dancing in the spotlight. ... They want to see a governor who's working, not who's cutting ribbons." (N&O)

newsobserver.com projects - Easley detached on tough issues - Comments

Easley detached on tough issues