Gov. Mike Easley says it wasn't his idea to slip out of the Capitol last week to dodge reporters' questions about his administration's oversight of the state's troubled mental health system.
"Security says we're going out this door and I go out that door," said Easley, responding to a question Sunday at a meeting of the state's editorial writers, reports Michael Biesecker.
When two N&O reporters and a videographer staked out the governor's waiting SUV after a media conference Tuesday, a member of the governor's security team went out and opened the doors of the vehicle, its engine running, as if Easley was about to get in.
Meanwhile, the governor exited by a door on the other side of the building and got in a different vehicle.
On Sunday, Easley compared the situation with the reporters to when the Capitol is jammed with inquisitive schoolchildren on tours.
"Sometimes if there's a lot of classes in there I have a hard time walking past the fourth grade classes and we're in a hurry to get somewhere," Easley said.
"Sometimes if there's reporters hanging around they don't want to deal with, that, you know, you just finished a press conference, you figure, well, we dealt with those issues. Sometimes, there's people they have concerns about, they change the way you go out."
Comments
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 11, 2008 - 7:32am — FFC1304Governor Sleazely needs to submit his RESIGNATION NOW for the good of NC.
He is an INEPT, INCAPABLE non-leader who is totally CORRUPT. He still takes orders from the vile Jim Hunt and that CORRUPT CROWD! Democrats have RUINED our once great state! Dont EVER vote for another one! EVER!
Im betting that he's a little nervous these days wondering when charges against HIM will surface!!! Hopefully SOON!
STRIVE to be SMARTER than a democrat!
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 11, 2008 - 1:45am — saycheeseEasley did the same exact thing within the Wildlife Resources Commission several months ago - tried to fire a good employee because she got in his way. The Director did not agree or comply and was asked to leave as well. Dirty politics - when will it end?
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 8:35pm — racpsydYou know, I kind of believe that Hooker-Odom lied to the Gov. She consistently talked out of both sides of her mouth. But shame on Governor E for not knowing what was going on in one of the largest utilizers of tax dollars. He appointed her to "change" our MH system and she did. She and her underlings, especially Mike Moseley, sent it to hell in a hand basket on ice skates. We knew when she selected Moseley that we were headed for double trouble. He can talk a good game but when it comes down to it, he rides the coat tails of others. Hooker-Odom specifically said in an open forum with 100+ state employees present that she was in total support of the "reform", participated in the legislation and announced her chosen co-leader to take us forward. She even screwed up the state hospitals and other centers.
Hand written letter from Hooker-Odom. Why would a person in her position and means write a hand written letter????? That screams something fishy is going on either with him or her or both.
All of the state hospitals/centers are headed up by administrators picked by the governor or the secretary of DHHS. There is so much political game in our state agencies that ther is as much waste if not more than there ever has been in the community. Each agency has an established elite group some of whom are not qualified or not effective in their roles to make the agencies function efficiently, effectively and with quality. Hires and promotions are not based on the most qualified and effective staff but rather on who fits in the profile or who is friends with whom. That speaks to the previous Hooker-Odom too appointed by Gov. E. BTW - the DMV is not the only administration that has hired friends over more competent and qualified applicants. The N & O should do some digging into the DHHS in regards to that one.
While the governor is "fixing the mental health system before he leaves office", he needs to include the state hospitals and long term care facilities too. Revamp it all while it is under "reconstruction".
I miss Gov. Hunt and Gov. Martin. They were true leaders and did make changes in the positive. And I say that as a Republican - or Republicrat - or Demipublican. I can assure you that I will not vote Beverly Perdue. It will be more of the same. I may consider Richard Moore but it depends on the Republican or Independent candidates.
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 7:36pm — Isaac136And it would have been SO EASY for the guy to step up to the plate and earn some kudos for taking it on the chin and saying "we made a mistake, and we're going to face it and we're going to fix it."
But nooooooo he fires Debbie Crane, then has Seth Effron smear her, he dodges reporters and then denies dodging them, he claims to have a letter from Carmen Hooker Odom which, inexplicably, he claims to have thrown away (does that explanation even make sense?), and he just keeps digging deeper and deeper. I guess by this time he figures we really are a bunch of morons.
There's no question that in state government, you will tow the line for the party in power, and if you resist pressures to bend the law to this governor's will, you pay a steep price for it -- which is one reason you won't be hearing from a lot of other state employees who have been pressured to ignore the Open Records laws. No one wants to lose his or her job and then be tarnished on top of it as a trouble-maker, a person who won't play nice. That's what happened to Debbie Crane. Much as we moan and groan about it in this or other forums, Gov. Easley did what he wanted and he got away with it.
And so do members of the General Assembly, every day. Notice you haven't heard any of 'em piping up to say he or she disapproves of state employees being strongarmed to bend the rules at politicians' behests. I'm not hearing any vows from our gubernatorial candidates about how he or she would ENCOURAGE state employees to speak up about wrongdoing no matter what party or fat cat is exerting the pressure.
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 7:12pm — almanI am with you onelivewire2.
Cleary retribution is what you get in Raleigh for speaking the truth. What a legacy to pass to the children about life in public service. There is no accountability. When was the last time someone said "I'm sorry. I made a mistake."
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 5:20pm — ebetzDemo-rats in action!!! Just cannot wait until the N&O's favorite Hilly gets elected. We are then gonna see a lot more of this type of shenanigans!
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 4:58pm — ryanteaguebeckwithI removed the errant "the." You guys are a tough bunch of grammarians. Thanks for working for free...
— RTB
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 4:52pm — twoshadesofblue"as if the Easley was about to get in."
Is "The Easley" in the N&O style book? :)
Re: Easley: I wasn't dodging reporters
March 10, 2008 - 4:01pm — onelivewire2I retired in 2004 after 22 years as a reporter with the Wilmington Star-News and I knew when I was being dodged by public officials who had something to hide. I think Gov. Easley was trying to dodge sensitive questions that he wasn't prepared to answer and at the same time, he is trying to save his administration from a blemish that one of the departments on his watch wasted $400 million in taxpayers money. I also believe that his part in having Debbie Crane, public affairs director for the Department of Health and Human Services, fired was clearly retribution. Shame on Easley. I am more convinced than ever that there is no accountability in Raleigh. It's time for people to wake up and smell the roses. The liberals have been in power for so long that a climate exists that they can do anything and not get caught. Only a few have been caught and are paying the price. When will the others be exposed????