The communications staff of Gov. Bev Perdue continues to disagree with itself about where the state's chief executive was in the hours after deadly storms rolled through the state on Saturday.
UPDATE added below.
In a new statement issued on Monday, Perdue communications director took aim at an Under the Dome post from Sunday quoting deputy communications director Mark Johnson that the governor was at a Kentucky horse race Saturday afternoon.
"She wasn't actually at the race; state business brought her home early and she of course wanted to be here to help the state recover from the storms," Pearson said in an e-mail quoted by Politico's Ben Smith. "Don't believe everything you read in the N&O."
Pearson originally sent her statement to WWAY, a Wilmington television station.
Dome contacted Johnson on his cell phone on Sunday as he traveled with Perdue as she toured sections of the state devastated by the tornados. Asked where the governor had been Saturday afternoon, Johnson confirmed that she was in Lexington, Ky., visiting fellow Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
Asked if that didn't contradict Pearson's statement from the night before that the governor was out-of-state attending to a "family obligation," Johnson responded that his boss had spoken accurately because Perdue and Beshear are personal friends and that their families are also friendly.
At several points in the conversation, which was interrupted as Johnson's cell phone lost service, Perdue could be heard in the background interjecting what to say to the reporter.
Asked if Perdue had attended the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, a thoroughbred horse race held Saturday afternoon, Johnson responded that he did not know and that he would ask the governor.
Johnson replied by text message a few moments later, at 1:29 p.m.: "Yes, went to race."
UPDATE: Pearson clarified Monday that the governor attended some of the earlier races at Keeneland race track on Saturday afternoon, but that Perdue left for the airport in Lexington well before the highest stakes No. 9 race, which started at 5:45 p.m.
Perdue and First Gentleman Bob Eaves had gone to Kentucky Friday night and Pearson said the governor had made the decision by Saturday morning, before the storms tore through the Triangle, to return to North Carolina early. They had originally planned to stay until Sunday, Pearson said.
"When it became clear from the emergency management standpoint that North Carolina could be in for a beating, the governor changed her plans, made plans to get back on the first flight she could get back, which was a late evening, late afternoon flight," Pearson said.
"She missed the big race. She was able to spend some time at the racetrack. And that's where the mincing of words comes in.
"But the bottom line is, the governor did what she felt was right, she came back to be in North Carolina, to be here where the state needed her and her leadership, and she would certainly do it again. And that's the price she pays as governor, that governors don't get much personal time," Pearson said.
As for not believing what you read in The N&O, Pearson agreed that the earlier Dome posts were factually accurate based on the information provided.
"It was just misleading (in) tone," she said.
Comments
I love those hats the ladies
April 20, 2011 - 6:12am — bestsarahI love those hats the ladies wear at the horse races. They even have a parade of hats. I'll bet that is real fun.
Real Questions
April 19, 2011 - 3:53pm — PoliticalHackThe real questions are: who paid for the trip to Kentucky and did the Governor have a fundraiser scheduled?
Bev left with full knowledge...
April 19, 2011 - 11:59am — NC74...that severe weather was coming and I believe it was her who directed the weak "family obligation" story that later unraveled. It sounds like her. And it put her staff at a real disadvantage. Regarding the N & O, the news stories (albeit NOT the editorials) have (in my opinion at least) gotten better. They appear to be more objective since the family of that hypocritical bigot, Josephus, has relinquished control of the paper. It would also behoove the paper to get rid of his will quote and further distance itself from the Daniels family. Knowing whom it came from, it is really disingenuous, and offensive. The man is NOT one that should be put on a pedastal, especially everyday. Getting back to the governor, it sounds to me like devom50 doesn't have a problem with Bev doing what she wants to do EVEN when it takes her away from doing her job. Some of us feel that her job should come BEFORE her personal or political choices. And to those of us who feel that way, that means if NC citizens are definately, or even more than likely, going to be put at risk of great property loss AND "life and limb" (as per the TWO days of warnings about NC's weather for last Saturday) our governor should consider canceling or rescheduling her visits with friends, fellow politicians or even, horse tracks. So devom50, it's the governor's LACK of service and "genuine concern" that is disappointing and unacceptable. Trying to catch up after the fact, and then not being truly forthcoming, shouldn't be acceptable to anyone. We all should expect more from our governor and other leaders. It also was NOT done "immediately." Her trip Friday should never have happened and the "cover up" never attempted. Oh well...
The problem is Bev, not her staff
April 19, 2011 - 8:47am — concerned53Her staff is paid like high-priced communications professionals but they act like amateurs. Do you think that the common denominator is Bev as her problems of being caught in lies and cover-ups goes back years & years. She is the product that her staff has to "sell", which can't be easy....
Good post, Isaac136 - I have
April 19, 2011 - 7:52am — ProwlingWoofieGood post, Isaac136 -
I have no problem with Gov Bev having a personal life.
My problem is with the immediate propensity to lie about it from her peeps. Old habits die hard, I guess, for these old Demodogs...
amateurs
April 19, 2011 - 7:48am — GOTVnowHer communications staff are amateurs. if the Gov was whispering to mark johnson what to say, he needs a new job - he should know what to say. amateurs
The problem, folks . . .
April 18, 2011 - 9:38pm — Isaac136. . . is not that she went out to have some fun. Nothing wrong with that. The problem is that she/her staff have a knee jerk reaction of lying.
Gov., if you are unable to own up to being out of town for kicks, and feel that you must throw out some b.s. about "family obligations," and then some further b.s. that compromises your spokes-persons, then for crying out loud, just DON'T GO. Geez, woman, can't you just tell the danged truth once in a while and be comfortable with it?
Why lie? Or, if you're going to lie, can't you be smart about it and stick to one version?
What appears to have happened here is that Chrissy or whomever just had this gut instinct to lie instead of saying, "the governor was visiting with friends in Kentucky but as soon as she heard of the danger to her citizens she got back asap."
What -- was she at a fundraiser or something? Why would the instinct be to lie?
Move along
April 18, 2011 - 9:28pm — jmturnerSo the governor was out of state on a Saturday, having a little fun. What's the big deal? This was the kind of storm that happens once in a few decades and not one that can be easily predicted.
It's unrealistic to think the governor should stay holed up in her office every time the wind blows. On a Saturday, no less.
Cut her some slack.
Funny!
April 18, 2011 - 7:28pm — InspectorPittThe Governor has a half million dollar communications staff and they can't get the story straight. Amazing! If the department had a lot less employees I bet the story would have been more accurate. When it goes through too many hands there's too many stories.
Bevl, not coming clean right away is always worse
April 18, 2011 - 7:27pm — concerned53Bev, it is okay that you went to the races. It is fun and legal in Kentucky. The problems are the lies and cover-up of you and your staff afterwards. It should have been a bunch of nothing.
Incidentally, what happened to NC's fleet, or better yet, the fleet of all of your illegal contributors. As one that feels that Bev is inept, I could have even accepted you getting one of those planes up there earlier to Kentucky so that you could truly take care of your responsibilities. But I guess your past transgressions kept you from considering something that would help those that really needed it in eastern NC.
lay off the lady
April 18, 2011 - 7:22pm — davem50The governor came back immediately. It wasn't like she disappeared for 3 days. The wind was practically blowing her hair on the ground during her first statement. What more could she have done besides not taking cover? We did NOT elect her to work for the Weather Channel.
This was not the Katrina flyover by the Texas Mafioso on the way to his ranch; this woman was on the ground in her pants immediately afterwards.
I appreciate her service and hard work during these times of retrenchment. It is not going to be pretty for any elected official for some time to come.
Patience, please, and realize the N&O is just trying to sell papers and advertising.
Dumplin' needs to get on the PHONE....We need OBUMMER
April 18, 2011 - 6:48pm — ViperRetThis whole story of when she went, when she came back, etc. is ludicrious. I believe, from what I read, that she was traveling commercial. I guess her book of "free air passes" either got revoked or the person that issued them is in jail or lost his airplane. Anyway, it DOES seem like Bev was not dipping into the staff coffers for her "personal" transportation.
NOW, I also read that OBummer, as Hillary has been know to call him, does NOT have time to come to NC or the south and console the 46 families that lost loved ones. Many were WHITE....this is OBVIOUSLY a RACIST SITUATION. Why, folks would think that HE, of all people, would understand this....since he lambasted President Bush.
It seems that OBummer and his pollsters have already written off NC in 2012....SO no need to interrupt his golf game or his concentration on doing his brackets for the NBA playoffs or the NHL playoffs.....He need to focus on THESE duties....and get them RIGHT this time. ESPN is watching.
It DOES seem like Dumplin is out doing the right thing....now that she finally got back to NC....and she needs to call on Burr and what's her name and the congressional representative delegation to get OBummer out of his chair and down here. We need FEMA....We need FEDERAL AID....We need so help.
As I learned during Fran, there ARE times when only the Federal Government can come to the general citizenry's aid. Debris clearing is a Federal job. Helping folks get back on their feet, when most of them were in mobile homes, IS a priority.
Where is the Compassionate ONE when we need him. HOPING for a CHANGE in 2012.
a point worth discussing ....
April 18, 2011 - 6:14pm — AgentPierce"Another example of how the N&O will put Dems' feet to the fire, despite the perceptions of some." .....
The N&O does not pretend to deny that it's Op/Ed POV is profoundly "liberal" / Democrat / left-wing. Op/Ed Editor Steve Ford considers Obama "too Conservative". That overt bias is an established fact and has been since the paper's founding.
So your point pertains to "news coverage". There comes a point in any major news story where the blatant facts override any ideology. The opportunity to "win a Pulitzer" always wins out. Yes, the N&O has covered assorted scandals by prominent Democ politicians and, I'm certain, will continue to.
The N&O is as profoundly liberal overall as FoxNews is profoundly conservative. Both media organization will cover major stories.
Wait ... What?
April 18, 2011 - 5:34pm — abechtel1Another example of how the N&O will put Dems' feet to the fire, despite the perceptions of some. Other examples: Jim Black, Meg Scott Phipps, Mike Easley.
In Kentucky studying parimutual horse betting!
April 18, 2011 - 5:05pm — BitterEXdemocratThats my theory...
well, wasnt she in Kentucky on Saturday? nothing wrong with it...
she cannot be everywhere and in Eastern NC too...
Where doesn't matter .... confusion does.
April 18, 2011 - 4:45pm — AgentPierce"Where" she was doesn't matter. It's fine that she was "at a horse race in Kentucky". This was not like a hurricane when we know days ahead "it's coming".
That her staff bungles the "where" is indeed "priceless" and that they then blame The N&O is priceless PLUS.
Her staff doesn't seem to know where she is? It isn't their
April 18, 2011 - 3:59pm — Platowasrightfault. Half the time she doesn't seem to know where she is or where she is going.
A failure as governor.
A one term, failed governor when this state needed a leader with a vision to lead this state.
Don't care....
April 18, 2011 - 3:56pm — towermanDon't care
Don't care
Don't care
Don't particularly like the Governor...Still don't care about this story
Yep, in another couple of
April 18, 2011 - 3:10pm — ProwlingWoofieYep, in another couple of weeks, ole Mark will simply slip off into the private sector, or else be appointed as a Department Head somewhere !
Maybe she was hiking the
April 18, 2011 - 3:00pm — PhantomLordMaybe she was hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Can't believe everything you read in N&O
April 18, 2011 - 2:58pm — julywestCost to fly to KY to races - approx $300
Cost to bet at race - $10
Can't believe whats in N&O - PRICELESS
Bev & staff caught in another lie!
April 18, 2011 - 2:51pm — concerned53If they can't get their story straight on a simple cover-up story, think how bad Bev's administration is at running our state.
I would have loved to have heard ole Bev nagging Mark Johnson while he was on the phone with the N&O reporter. Mark, you better be looking for a new job since you contradicted their cover-up of "family obligations".
Perdue got most of her
April 18, 2011 - 2:48pm — NotaliberalPerdue got most of her public affairs staff from the News and Observer. You don't really expect them to change from their true colors and begin to tell the truth.