You simply can’t read the details of the story (and associated documents and statements) of the failed ”Project Soccer” negotiations in which the Perdue administration and Republican legislative leaders attempted to coax (i.e. bribe) Continental Tire to locate a plant in Wilmington without wanting to throw your hands up in disgust.

The only thing that’s worse than the record of the whole sodid process is the absurd blame game that the parties are now playing. Especially high on the unctuousness meter: the holier-than-thou claims of Senate leader Phil Berger (who jetted off to China on a so-called trade mission in the midst of the negotiations) that he was shocked (shocked!) to learn that powerful insiders stood to gain from the deal. Read More…