The Raleigh News & Observer’s original reporting suggested that Governor Beverly Perdue’s call for postponing elections was “a joke” — and even someone as suspicious of leftwing desires for authoritarianism as Mark Levin, in reacting to the initial reporting of the story, was willing to give the North Carolina Governor the benefit of the doubt.
But here’s the audio. Listen for yourself, ignore attempts by both the media and Perdue’s staffers to help her walk this back, and make your own decision.
I can tell you this much: all the typical kinds of markers you’d find when someone is “joking” seems to be missing from the Governor’s speech — no change in inflection, no pause for a specific kind of reaction, etc. Now, we can’t see visual cues on an audio-only feed. And I suppose it’s possible the Governor arched an eyebrow on rolled her eyes. But as it stands, I think this is truly a rather more troubling story than some who have dismissed it — and who can blame them, as it seems rather surreal watching your country inch toward, say, a Venezuelan model of governance — seem to believe, particularly given that similar thoughts have also found their way into the public sphere recently.
I don’t think it was a joke, but it hardly sounded like she was serious either. Just airy, emotive female bullshit, I think.
Two possibilities: It’s a joke, which as such means that the good Governor is aware that she jokes about stuff that could impeach her were it taken seriously — which it was — and which then means she’s aware and willing to undergo that serious a scrutiny.
I mean, she just called for the end of democracy in America.
Or it’s not a joke, which means she’s blissfully unaware of what she speaks, which also itself stands to reason because of the content.
Walking this thing back as a willful joke means you’re more foolish, Governor. So let it stand and you know, step down. You’re unqualified to hold any office of government, much, much less that of Governor.
Looks like some of the helium between her ears escaped.
LTC John, someone wanted a better view of the “Space For Rent” sign…