Easley's Defeat

We're still waiting for accounts from actual participants in yesterday's historic take-over of the N.C. Democratic Party. In the meantime, this morning's N&O offers up a few choice nouns and adjectives on Gov. Mike Easley's humiliating defeat at the hands of the state executive committee:

Jerry Meek's election ... "a rebuke to Gov. Easley and party insiders."

"...a startling rebuff to Gov. Mike Easley and the party establishment."

"Cheers erupted when it was announced that the state Democratic Executive Committee had elected Meek by a 271 to 242 vote over Ed Turlington, a Raleigh attorney and veteran Democratic operative."

"It was the first time in memory -- and maybe the first time ever -- that the party's ruling body had rejected the recommendation of the governor."

"The rebellion .... will probably dampen talk of Easley having any national aspirations."

"...the pressure [from party leaders] seemed to backfire."

"...a bit of a backlash against Easley."