Pat McCrory would be the first Republican governor since 1993 ... if he'd run in 2012.
That's the take of regular Dome reader Lee P., the first entrant in our "You Are the Pundit" contest. Here's the rest of his analysis on the gubernatorial race:
McCrory's seven terms as mayor make him eminently qualified.
The Queen City is consistently ranked one of the best places to live. His light rail project is successful, and ground's been broken on the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Despite Democratic misinformation, Charlotte doesn't have the state's highest taxes. And unlike his rival, he has a viable solution for rising gas prices.
Republicans have their most exciting gubernatorial candidate in years, but it may not be enough.
McCrory's opponent, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, is a classic Raleigh insider and the right-hand woman to Gov. Mike Easley since 2000. She embodies everything McCrory is running against. Voters are outraged over $60 cheeseburgers and embarrassing public displays, and the trials (no pun intended) of disgraced House Speaker Jim Black and expelled Rep. Thomas Wright.
Still, McCrory couldn't have picked a worse year.
If he loses, it won't be because he's from Charlotte, or North Carolina prefers Democratic governors, or Perdue has better name recognition. The odds are against him because of Barack Obama. Democratic turnout, especially among African-American voters, will shatter records.
This is terrible news for down-ballot Republicans, even a candidate as good as McCrory.
Disagree? Send your take to dome@newsobserver.com.

House Minority Leader
What happened to
Jack Betts add his two cents on