The Lowell Sun
Editorial Staff
12/8/2011
Charley Murphy is
down but not out
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo still has five years to serve in his leadership position, but they might not be filled with peace and tranquility.
DeLeo's decision to force state Rep. Charlie Murphy, D-Burlington, from the House leadership team may solve the speaker's "disloyalty" problems in the short term, yet there is no guarantee it won't come back to haunt him.
Murphy was made an example of DeLeo's commanding rule, a style of leadership that can open cracks in the facade rather than cementing them shut.
A former U.S. Marine and JAG officer, Murphy has earned a great deal of respect from colleagues for his earnest remarks and intellect. He believes in government transparency -- and that was likely his biggest problem as far as DeLeo was concerned.
