State Republican Party chairman Tom Fetzer picked at Democratic House Speaker Joe Hackney on Thursday, and the speaker shrugged off the criticism.
Fetzer said that Hackney was blowing off a state budget that is two weeks late for a "fun-filled week" at a conference in Philadephia.
"We’ve all heard of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. Speaker Hackney will be dancing in the streets of Philadelphia while North Carolina’s citizens struggle to make ends meet during the toughest financial crisis of their lives," Fetzer said.
"That's not right," Hackney said of Fetzer's claim that Hackney would be gone all week.
Hackney is president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization, he noted, was an important voice in shaping the federal stimulus bill. He is scheduled to speak on a panel Sunday about the stimulus law. He said he planned to return to North Carolina either for Monday night's House session or Tuesday morning.
He said he expected to go back and forth at no cost to the state as events in the legislative building dictate.
"I have no plans to be there all week," Hackney said.
Correction: Post now accurately states when Hackney is scheduled to speak.
Comments
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 17, 2009 - 5:20pm — bniolet (author)Comment deleted for inappropriate content. BN
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 3:25pm — Isaac136Not sure I mind so much the idea of a shakeup in state government but yes, I can tell you that Joe Hackney isn't responsible for what you call "decades of failed policy."
He is responsible for getting an ethics law into shape and into place, and he is responsible for seeing that it is adhered to. He has been doing that, notwithstanding the fact that he had to buck his party to do it.
He is widely admired by men and women of both parties, which is no small achievement in a state where politics are as nasty as they are in NC.
He is recognized for his acumen and his leadership at both national and state levels, and no matter how many idiotic remarks Fetzer makes about partying in Philadelphia (maybe Fetzer used to go there to whoop it up), or how hard you try to soil Hackney by smearing others in the party, his reputation stands up just fine.
It's ok, lil' fella', I realize it's the best you can do. It's not easy finding a legitimate gripe with someone of Joe Hackney's caliber and accomplishments.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 3:01pm — ncpoliSorry old man, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that nothing gets to the Gov's desk without Rand and Hackney coming to some kind of consensus. You can't honestly tell me he doesn’t bear any responsibility for decades of failed policy.
But hey, he should keep up the good work! I’m sure his fine constituents will be OK with someone new when a Republican majority shakes up his district boundary in a few years!
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 2:42pm — Isaac136Yeah, ncpoli,he has been in office for fifteen terms because his constituents are quite pleased with him. And again, if you really think Rand and Hackney "tango," or are otherwise "partners," you know nothing about NC politics. ZIP.
Live and learn, young grasshopper.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 2:40pm — Isaac136God I would love to see Hackney dancing. The image boggles the mind.
old WC Fields barb about Philadelphia
July 16, 2009 - 2:08pm — gercohencomedian W.C. Fields had a famous quip about Philadelphia: "They had a contest: first prize is one week in Philadelphia, second prize is two weeks in Philadelphia."
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 1:36pm — Montcalm"Hackney will be dancing in the streets..." Greatest line yet. I like this Fetzer guy
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 12:47pm — ncpoliHe's been in office for FIFTEEN terms and in leadership for nearly a decade. With his superior intelligence, you would think perhaps he could lead House Dems to fix some of NC's ills by now. It takes two to tango, and Hackney is Rand's perfect dance partner.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 12:20pm — Isaac136Wrong again (and as ever, ncpoli). NC has plenty of problems, which is why we're lucky we have a person of Hackney's intelligence and integrity. To compare Hackney with Rand is to demontrate your profound ignorance of NC politics. (I'm sure you mean well -- in some universe) Maybe once you've done a little research you won't make such obvious mistakes in the future.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 11:43am — dgilliganClearly Mr. Fetzer has never been to Philadelphia.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 11:21am — ncpoliRight, Isaac. North Carolina has amazing roads, plenty of jobs, free healthcare, low taxes, a balanced budget, and white teeth.
Give me a break... this best thing that could ever happen to NC politics is Hackney and Rand packing up and retiring.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 11:20am — meltedI bet Hackney will still collect his NC per diem every day of over $100. The whole general assembly needs to be voted out with the little regard they have displayed for the NC taxpayers this year.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 10:59am — mrcleanWho is Fetzer?I thought the NCGOP was out of business.
Re: Hackney shrugs off Fetzer barbs
July 16, 2009 - 10:54am — Isaac136Oh poor Fetzer, trying to throw mud on Joe. It won't stick. Hackney is squeaky clean, which drives 'em crazy on *both* sides of the aisle.
The other advantage Hackney has over his fellow legislators is that he's smarter than all of them put together. That frustates the bejeebus out of the bunch.
He's the best thing that ever happened to North Carolina politics, and his constituents know it.