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Can Morgan Keep Riding That Tiger?

In the three-part series of articles that concludes today, Managing Editor David Sinclair of The Pilot has shed much light on the question of why so many Republicans across the state harbor such deeply hostile feelings toward one of their own, Moore County's Rep. Richard Morgan.

In the three-part series of articles that concludes today, Managing Editor David Sinclair of The Pilot has shed much light on the question of why so many Republicans across the state harbor such deeply hostile feelings toward one of their own, Moore County's Rep. Richard Morgan.

Although the stories make fascinating reading as political theater, they also show how mired our supposed representatives can get in petty and counterproductive (and sometimes downright childish) machinations.

Morgan, who knows his way around a high-stakes political poker table, seems to attract loyal allies and repel enemies like a magnet. He is an accomplished intriguer who has become a master at working the system to maximum advantage to reward his friends and punish his foes - and advance himself in the process.

Lots of Bruised Feelings

Morgan's subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) maneuvering has landed him in the position of co-speaker of the House, making him one of the most powerful people in state government. He got there by taking advantage of the 60-60 standoff that developed in the state House after the 2002 election and the defection of Rep. Michael Decker from Republican ranks to the Democrats. (Decker has since returned to the GOP fold.)

To pull off their coup, Morgan and a handful of fellow Republicans forged an unusual coalition that included most of the Democrats in the House. Morgan bruised a lot of feelings in the process, but he did manage to break the deadlock and produce a voting majority that efficiently and effectively achieved compromises on the state budget and on a tough and tricky redistricting plan.

People upon whom Morgan's favor rests sing his praises as a man of his word who makes things happen. His dogged loyalty to his friends is legend. But in other quarters, the tactics that brought about his ascendancy have made him one of the most vilified people in Raleigh. There seems to be no middle ground where Richard Morgan is concerned.

The more fellow Republicans from the mountains to the coast lambaste him as a "traitor" who sold out to the Democrats, the more he seems to shrug the withering criticism off as if he were swatting pesky gnats. This is either the supreme self-confidence of one who knows he is secure in his position or the breathtaking recklessness of one headed for a great fall.

Riding a Tiger

Morgan is riding on a tiger, from which he will find it difficult if not impossible to dismount gracefully. Staying in the saddle requires the maintenance of the same party equilibrium that put him there, something that may or may not survive the next election intact.

If his coalition breaks up and he is deposed, he is likely to find himself sitting not just on the back bench but maybe even on the floor behind it. There are any number of people with grudges who would love to see that happen. And many of them can be expected to come down to Moore County and do all they can to help political newcomer Peggy Crutchfield, Morgan's primary opponent.

It should be a fascinating election season for diehard political junkies. But the current battle royal in Raleigh is being played out far over the heads of everyday Moore Countians, most of whom probably understand little - and maybe care even less - about such power skirmishes fought out in the halls of the Legislative Building.

As Morgan and his detractors continue their bitter and unseemly public feud, it would be refreshing to hear less about personal jealousies and intraparty bickering and more about what is best for the people of Moore County and North Carolina.

But don't hold your breath.