Did Republicans Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin become governor because of Democratic infighting?

That's the argument made by D.G. Martin in a column in the Chatham Journal Weekly. He says that splits between Democrats in the 1972 and 1984 primaries led to acrimony in the general elections, allowing the Republican candidates to win.

In '72, the split was between Lt. Gov. Pat Taylor and Skipper Bowles. Though Bowles won, Taylor backers were disinclined to vote for him, Martin argues.

In '84, former Charlotte Mayor Eddie Knox bitterly fought Attorney General Rufus Edmisten. Though Edmisten won, Knox and some of his supporters did not back the winner, Martin says.

Martin makes the case that the same could happen because of the fierce battle between Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and state Treasurer Richard Moore for the Democratic nomination.

A couple quibbles: 1) The analysis is a bit blue-centric. Democrats lost, but Republicans also won. 2) In both cases, Martin's own history suggests the key test was after the primary, when Bowles failed to reach out and Knox refused to endorse. 3) With four candidates, the GOP may also split.

Hat Tip: Tom Jensen

Jeff Taylor says Pat McCrory needs a big conservative idea.

In a post on The Meck Deck, the conservative blogger argues the Charlotte mayor is different from former Republican Gov. Jim Martin, who ran as an "unabashed conservative."

As we tried to explain, McCrory must find something to run as a conservative on. He will no doubt be perceived as socially liberal — because he is from Charlotte. Fine. He can overcome that, perhaps turn it into an asset. But not with a wish-washy set of bromides on the side.

Taylor was responding to a recent piece by UNC-TV host D.G. Martin that argued the Charlotte mayors curse is bogus.

D.G. Martin says the Charlotte mayors curse is bogus.

In a column in the Southern Pines Pilot, the UNC-TV host and former Congressional candidate writes that the losses of former mayors Richard Vinroot, Eddie Knox, Sue Myrick and Harvey Gantt in statewide bids were not because of their job titles.

"All of the above contests were decided by many factors more important than the pluses or minuses of having served as a Charlotte mayor," he writes.

He also points to former Republican Gov. Jim Martin, whose political base was Charlotte, even if his address was Lake Norman.

Therefore, Martin argues, current Mayor Pat McCrory could still have a shot if he decides to run for the Republican nomination for governor.

Hat Tip: Mark Binker