UPDATE: Welcome Carolina Plott Hound Readers! More updates at the bottom of the article.

The News and Observer ran an article on May 10th entitled, Sen. Phil Berger, self-made and self-certain, is likely the most powerful politician in NC. The article profiled the Senator and highlighted his background and rise as Senate President Pro Tem. The article itself isn’t what caught people’s eye, but a rather inappropriate and at times bigoted rant in the comments by an aide to another NC General Assembly Senator. 

That aide is Vicki Spears and she’s the legislative assistant to Senator Michael Walters, who serves the 13th district.

Below are the comments she made on the above mentioned article. In them, Ms. Spears calls Republicans “ignorant”, “evil”, “racist” and lauds North Carolina as a ‘progressive’ state.  Ms. Spears also has big trust issues with non-native North Carolinians; out-of-staters just have no clue about NC politics, according to her. She even throws in some Koch brothers at the end as proof of outside spending. Clearly, Ms. Spears is unaware of the barrels of Democrat Dark Money pouring in for Kay Hagan. Ms. Spears also launches an assault on another commenter with the line, “You must be a white old man like the idiot repubs in public office.“

Charming. Wonder what she tells constituents when they call?

Rather unbecoming and unprofessional from a state Senator’s assistant. I was surprised she didn’t start responding in call caps with “FORWARD TOGETHER, NOT ONE STEP BACK!” Moral Monday is clearly missing one of its group-think hive members.

Terry Stoops over at John Locke has screenshots of this whole exchange as well.

Update: I’ve taken some screen caps as well, in case they disappear. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6

Here is the text of the comments:

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
I am one Democrat that does not think he is a nice person. I work there. He does not communicate with his Dem. members. He snubs them. Also, how can someone be nice when they have done so many harmful things to North Carolinians? And please remember he is from New York state not North Carolina so he was brought up different from us born and bred. There is so much more I could say but it obvious (since he keeps getting elected) people believe his lies.
Reply · Like · 7 · Unfollow Post · 23 hours ago

Michael Zsitnyar · Top Commenter · University of Colorado Boulder
The NC prophet of leftist progressives is William Barber and he was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out the article on him in this paper. Are you as intolerant, bigoted, and distrustful of him as you are of Phil Berger because Barber was born in another state too and “different from us born and bred”? Leftist progressives always show their deep bigotry and intolerance so readily when they disagree with someone. Their true colors come through, as they proudly proclaim how tolerant and diverse they are…as long as you agree with them. That “born and bred” statement is about the most regressive and intolerant thing I have heard in a while. It sounds like something Barber would say though.
Reply · Like · 3 · 23 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
I’ll have to agree with you Mr. Zsitnyar. I tend to lean toward people whose opinions agree with mine. I just think Republicans are all somewhat evil. I grew being told God loves everybody. The Repubs are so racist. But, again I tend to love my NC natives the best. So yes, I agree with you. Most people in the South are skeptical of out of staters. I was also skeptical of Rev. Barber until I made a point of learning about him.
Reply · Like · 4 · 22 hours ago

Allison Lotz Backhouse · Top Commenter · Director, Inside Sales at Axial Exchange, Inc.
What’s with the whole “born and bred” in NC? While you say that with the tone of condescension, “born and bred” isn’t always a positive.
Reply · Like · 1 · 22 hours ago

Michael Zsitnyar · Top Commenter · University of Colorado Boulder
Miss Vickie – Thanks for being honest. We all prefer the company of those we share an ideology and worldview with. There is nothing inherently evil or wrong with that. I like the company of other conservatives. What is deeply troubling is how you, and too many liberals, assign evil and racist intent to all conservatives and Republicans because you disagree with our views on public policy, economics, finance, taxes, debt, deficits, and the role of government. You see, most conservatives don’t assign evil or racist intent to liberal Democrats. Most of us think you are simply misguided and ignorant and if we debate you long enough you might see the light. Have a nice Mother’s Day from an out of stater from Colorado who appreciates the hospitality and beauty of my new home here in North Carolina.
Reply · Like · 2 · 21 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
I have always, until 2010, been proud of my state. As I’m sure you are proud of yours. Saying I was born and bred here is simply a fact I stated not condescension. Most North Carolinians agreed with me until Citizens United. Now North Carolina has been bought by outsiders I guess that’s why I sound so protective.
Reply · Like · 2 · 20 hours ago

Arnold Weaver · North Johnston High
What about all the harmful things the democrats have done to NC the last 100 years?????
Reply · Like · 1 · 20 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Michael Zsitnyar
Reply · Like · 20 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Mr. Michael: You must not have read the numerous studies done that consistently say Democrats are smarter than Republicans. I am not kidding. It’s mostly because Democrats are more educated. Take the repubs downtown for example. Totally ignorant. They have introduced legislation to have our own state religion and our own state money. And yes they are racist. I hear and see it everyday at work. From the members own mouths. The repubs policy and economic solutions do not fit our world today. As the new tax package kicks in we are 445 million in the whole in our state budget. I, myself would rather see education and children get the money instead of the millionaires who received the money as a tax cut. No you will never convince me to see your point of view. I welcome you and your tax dollars to NC. Cary is a good place you chose to live as it is full of like minded people (outsiders). I love that you love NC. Enjoy, in a few more years of Repub rule you will not recognize it.
Reply · Like · 3 · 19 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Arnold Weaver: The Democrats have made this State great. Nationally recognized and considered the most progressive of the Southern States. Where have you been? This state is going backwards do you not want to see the state go forward? Just another Repub.
Reply · Like · 3 · 19 hours ago

Arnold Weaver · North Johnston High
Vickie Spears And I guess you also think Obama has done a great job helping America??? You sound like Nancy Polosi!!!
Reply · Like · 1 · 19 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Arnold Weaver : The repubs hate Obama so much they have blocked everything he has tried to accomplish. If they hold on to their majority in the House they will probably treat a woman president the same way. You must be a white old man like the idiot repubs in public office.
Reply · Like · 2 · 19 hours ago

Arnold Weaver · North Johnston High
Vickie Spears Thanks for the nice comments! Hope you have a great Mothers day!!!
Reply · Like · 1 · 19 hours ago

Brynda G. Saunders · Top Commenter · Durham, North Carolina
Michael Zsitnyar …really “born and bred” … is worse than “let me tell you another thing about the Negro”…..if that is the most intolerant thing you ever heard “you shall be sick to your stomach by the end of 2016….
Reply · Like · 19 hours ago

Brynda G. Saunders · Top Commenter · Durham, North Carolina
Vickie Spears ….speak the truth my father was a Native North Carolinian, he loved North Carolina, always knew he was returning to North Carolina one day had to “leave because “all citizens where not treated the same by law in North Carolina at one time, and the man just did not want all his sons and daughters caught in that trap”…. One thing holds true North Carolina “once was the Most Progressive State in the South”, we all knew as children we where coming here to go to college in North Carolina
Reply · Like · 1 · 19 hours ago

Kevin Graves · Top Commenter · Frederick Douglass
Arnold Weaver Your hatred for President Barack Obama is noted. I’m sure his election pissed you and most every other Regressive individual in this country off not once but twice. The good thing about your and their attitudes is that it is a dying breed. Nowhere in this article, about the architect of North Carolina’s future demise, is there any mention of the President. But just like every other worthless, like-minded regressive you think you need a boogey man to blame. Well in the next few years while he and his cronies are in the majority Phil Berger will be your boogey man and you can watch this state become the new Mississippi. Ps. Her name is Pelosi but with the GOP assault on education we wouldn’t think you would get it right.
Reply · Like · 1 · 17 hours ago

Allison Lotz Backhouse · Top Commenter · Director, Inside Sales at Axial Exchange, Inc.
Vickie Spears Your state? Hmmm.. Maybe that’s the problem. It’s not your state. And, honestly, it’s pretty frightening how quickly and easily you labeled all Republicans as evil and racist. I’m beginning to see the reason for all the hatred – and it’s coming from the “born and bred”. If those are the values you received from being born and raised in NC, it’s probably a good thing there are others with better and more embracing values than you, regardless of where they came from.
Reply · Like · 1 · 13 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Allison Lotz Backhouse It is my state. It is your state too as long as you live here. The next state you live in will be your state also. How else would you phrase it when talking about a state you live in. You can’t really understand since you don’t work at the General Assembly and see the unfair and crooked things that go on every day. They even reduced my salary (and that reflects in my retirement) because I am a democrat and only because I am a democrat. How many ways do you have to be mistreated before you realize these people are downright evil. You can’t get over this born and bred thing. It is a phrase you will hear over and over in the South. If you were born somewhere and were raised there and live there you whole life then you were born and bred there. I think your insecurity is showing.
Reply · Like · 2 · 11 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Brynda G. Saunders I hate to tell you but this state is worse today than it was when your father left. The repubs have taken us back 50 years at least. And we use to have great universities that are now starving for money to keep our standards and they are not getting it. Another round of cuts is probably going to be in the new upcoming budget. We are losing our national prominence. So very sad.
Reply · Like · 1 · 11 hours ago

Allison Lotz Backhouse · Top Commenter · Director, Inside Sales at Axial Exchange, Inc.
Vickie Spears You said “I have always, until 2010, been proud of my state. As I’m sure you are proud of yours.” Which state is mine? I live here. And have done so for a looong time. I won’t be moving anytime soon – so, it’s our state. And my opinion, and all those people with whom you disagree – matters. My vote matters, my taxes matter, and my work in the community matters. So, get off your high horse and understand that your completely condescending tone and hatred are more the problem than whether someone is an R or D. Have you ever considered that?
Reply · Like · 11 hours ago

Vickie Spears · Works at NC General Assembly
Allison Lotz Backhouse There are only two of you who disagree with me on this site. Everyone else agrees that have responded. I have been in politics for over 20 years and until 2010 the Democrats have run this state. The only reason repubs got in was because the Koch brothers and Art Pope spent millions of dollars to buy this state so this was not the choice of the people. I have already addressed the “my state” issue and you obviously can’t comprehend what I’m saying so I don’t know what else to tell you about that. I actually got along with and respected the old guard GOP, the establishment GOP. But that is not what we have in office now. It is these crazy tea partiers. Even the old establishment GOP can’t abide these people. I appreciate you paying taxes and your work in the community. So, stick to that and stop talking about things you don’t know anything about!
Reply · Like · 1 · 10 hours ago

UPDATE: Well, According to Agent Pierce, it appears Ms. Spears has resigned on Tuesday afternoon (5/13).