The spin uttered by Rep. Richard Morgan in the news article in last Friday’s Pilot, “State GOP Chair Swipes At Morgan,” is that Chairman Ferrell Blount is all wrong about what kind of redistricting plan is good for the Republican Party and that Morgan is the one single-handedly looking out for the best interests of the GOP. Nothing could be more false!

At the recent special session, Morgan and the Democrats pushed a redistricting plan through that will allow the Democrats to hold many more legislative seats than they would hold under a fair and neutral plan. Morgan then promptly joined with Democrat leaders in filing a lawsuit in Wake County against many top Republican leaders — litigation that will add to the $1.5 million that the Republicans have already expended in trying to get fair districts enacted.

“What we’re trying to do is build up the Republican Party in North Carolina,” Morgan said. “It looks like a win-win for the position I’ve taken, which I believe is ultimately for the good of the Republican Party.” With friends like Rep. Morgan, the Republicans don’t need enemies!

To gain some kind of revenge on other Republicans in the House, Rep Morgan has been on a rampage to ensure that the Democrats maintain effective control of the House. Sure, he is in title co-speaker, but the committee structure in his deal with the Democrats was carefully arranged to ensure that the Democrats would control the calendar and the flow of legislation.

His position as co-speaker did give him the patronage power over Republican matters like seating assignments, office assignments, committee appointments, and other such matters, which he used to reward those who blindly follow him without question and punish those he considers his enemies.

Rep. John M. Blust

Republican Joint Caucus Leader