Republican State Auditor Les Merritt’s website explains that the Auditor’s office exists “to ensure that our state government executes its management responsibilities in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.” [http://www.ncauditor.net/webproject/defa ult.asp?intro_full]

But when it comes to his own business affairs, Mr. Merritt has a hard time following the law.

When he’s not working as State Auditor, Mr. Merritt is the president of LDC Mobile Estates, Inc.  State law requires all corporations to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s office.

But Mr. Merritt has failed to submit required paperwork and now his annual reports for 2004 and 2005 have been rejected. It also appears that his annual report for 2006 will soon be rejected as well.  [http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corpora tions/AnnualReportCount.aspx?PItemId=645 7211]

“Mr. Merritt expects others in government to be meticulous in filing reports,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.  “Perhaps he should practice what he preaches.  Either Mr. Merritt is incompetent, or he just doesn’t believe in following the law.  Either way, voters should be worried.”

cross posted from ncdp.org

The Nation is advancing a copy of the article, "PURPLE AMERICA -- The Democrats' Fifty-State Strategy Stokes North Carolina's Grassroots" to post on MyDD. The full article is in the extended entry.

As a "first in a series of reports" that by Nation contributing writer Bob Moser, running through the 2008 elections, that "explore the evolving grassroots realities of so-called "red"-state politics in this time of political transition" to a national Democratic party, its a welcome exposure of the 50-state plan.

I recall the 50 state plan emerging very early during the Dean campaign, in 2003, when we talked about having a "BlogforAmerica" blog active in every state. The plan, at least in it's web incarnation, was ahead of its time, and iirc, we got about 15-20 states off the ground within the campaign before it ended. However, it was the start, and by the time the 2006 mid-terms rolled around, state blog communities were launched within nearly all of the 50 states.  Laura Packard is the admin here on MyDD for the State Blogs. We are now up to 44 states, with three states having multiple community blogs.

This Nation story is about North Carolina, and if you've read 'Crashing The Gate' then you are familiar with the story of Jerry Meek, and his leadership in the 'quiet revolution' takeover of the NC Party by progressive outsiders over insiders, its a story of what happened next. The article also focuses on Howard Dean, and his huge role of leadership in this effort at the DNC, and the battles that lay ahead for Dean and the 50 state strategy, particularly if one of the insider campaigns gets the Democratic nomination.

There's more...

Presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards appeared alongside Rep. Heath Shuler at an event in an Asheville, NC home this afternoon. Maybe fifty people. Informal, though nearly all the men wore ties. Edwards did not. And I did not remember to take notes.

There's more...

Cross-posted from BlueNC

Jerry Meek is Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party

Hey everyone! Exciting things are happening at the North Carolina Democratic Party and I need your help.

We're looking to hire a full time Director of Internet Communications. To check out the job description or get information on how to apply, click here.

If you know someone who would be perfect for this job, please encourage him or her to apply. Or, if you'd be willing to make a contribution to help pay his or her salary, click here.

I also need your input. If you have suggestions for creative things that our Director of Internet Communications should be doing, please let me know.

And once we've narrowed down the applicants to a few, I want you to help me interview them right here.

So, stayed tuned. And thanks in advance for your help.

Our "favorite" Congressman, Brad Miller has that designation for many reasons, at the top of my list is that he is a blogger.  He understands what few other legislators do, that the American people are hungry for involvement in their government.  That the "power of the people" is real and vigorous, particularly among Progressives.

There's more...