Does it sound like NC gov 'joking' about suspending elections?

This could have been a gaffe or a joke, and the liberal media is accepting the explanation of an "aide" to North Carloina governor Beverly Purdue. However what do you think would be the response from the media if a conservative politician said, "I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won't hold it against them — whatever decisions they make — to just let them help this country recover"? Listen for yourself and see if you think Governor Purdue was "joking"?