Ex-governors take a stand

It was a group that would have a hard time agreeing on where to eat lunch, or even on a good color for wallpaper. They certainly aren't of one mind about politics.

But there they were Monday, all five living former governors of North Carolina, two Republicans and three Democrats, together on the same stage for the first time ever, singing in perfect harmony. They used words like "devious" and "mischievous" and "hijacking our constitution." They talked about the shredding of gubernatorial power and the checks and balances that are built into the North Carolina constitution.

And they were right. They perfectly characterized two amendments that will appear on the ballot in November, one addressing appointments to judicial vacancies, the other establishing how members will be placed on the state elections board. In both cases, the power to do those things is being taken from the governor and given to the General Assembly. But if you haven't studied the amendments' background before you walk into the voting booth on Nov. 6, you won't know that. The lawmakers who wrote the ballot questions took great pains to conceal their power grab.

This provoked the ire of former governors Pat McCrory, Bev Perdue, Mike Easley, Jim Martin and Jim Hunt. The five held a press conference in Raleigh Monday and then met privately to plan a campaign against the two amendments. Current Gov. Roy Cooper has already filed suit against the amendments, seeking to block them from the ballot. A three-judge panel will hear his request this week. The former governors say they intend to continue their campaign, hoping to raise $250,000 to finance it. We hope they raise more, and that they raise an even bigger ruckus too.

The way these amendments were written and then railroaded onto the ballot is the embodiment of what's wrong with our General Assembly. The former governors are right: It's time to take a stand.