Gov. Perdue’s office says her suggestion to suspend Cong. elections was only “hypberbole”

The Raleigh News and Observer’s “Under the Dome” blog reports on curious remarks made by our Democrat Governor Bev. Perdue on the state of the economy – and one possible way to ‘fix’ it (via Daily Caller):

Speaking to a Cary rotary club today, N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue suggested suspending Congressional elections for two years so that Congress can focus on economic recovery and not the next election.

“I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that,” Perdue said. “You want people who don’t worry about the next election.”

The comment — which came during a discussion of the economy — perked more than a few ears. It’s unclear whether Perdue, a Democrat, is serious — but her tone was level and she asked others to support her on the idea.

Later Tuesday afternoon, Perdue’s office clarified the remarks: “Come on,” said spokeswoman Chris Mackey in a statement. “Gov. Perdue was obviously using hyperbole to highlight what we can all agree is a serious problem: Washington politicians who focus on their own election instead of what’s best for the people they serve.”

Read her full remarks below.

“You have to have more ability from Congress, I think, to work together and to get over the partisan bickering and focus on fixing things. I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won’t hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that. The one good thing about Raleigh is that for so many years we worked across party lines. It’s a little bit more contentious now but it’s not impossible to try to do what’s right in this state. You want people who don’t worry about the next election.”

I’ll give the Governor the benefit of the doubt on not really being serious about suspending Congressional elections next year. After all, she could have really gone for the gusto and pushed to suspend statewide elections (which would impact her, considering she’s running for re-election) as well as the Presidential election – which would obviously benefit her party seeing as a suspension of that would keep our celebrity WH resident in the Oval Office for another two miserable years. However, even with that benefit of the doubt, it’s not really something an elected official should even hint around at – especially one in the postion of power of a Governor. Bryan Preston adds:

Save democracy…by killing democracy. What a novel concept.

[…]

On facebook, Gov. Purdue’s desperate staff claim she was engaging in hyperbole. And just in case we’re all too stupid to get that, they define it for us.

Hyperbole (n): an exaggeration to create emphasis or effect

by Bev Perdue on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 1:54pm

There has been a little hubbub today about some comments the governor made at lunch today.

Here’s a statement from Press Secretary Chris Mackey:

β€œCome on…Gov. Perdue was obviously using hyperbole to highlight what we can all agree is a serious problem: Washington politicians who focus on their own election instead of what’s best for the people they serve.”

One, thanks for condescending (y’all might want to look that word up). Two, musing about canceling elections when you’re up for one next year isn’t funny. Three, it really isn’t funny. Now, go lose next year.

Seconded!

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