Problem: Finding a Democrat to step up - speak up - to speaker

By Paul O'Connor
Winston-Salem Journal

RALEIGH - Years ago, while I was living in the country, a squirrel got into my attic. I could hear him running around, but when I would look for him, I found nothing. Considering that the house was for sale, it was very frustrating.

North Carolina Democrats face a similar frustration. They have someone in their house that they must get rid of, but they don't know how. They are meeting in small groups, trying to figure out how to get rid of House Speaker Jim Black. Democrats running for re-election in hotly contested districts are especially worried.