The Republican Governors Association is targeting Beverly Perdue on jobs.

In a mailer sent to North Carolina voters, the national group argues that the Democratic gubernatorial candidate's "failed policies are killing jobs in North Carolina."

Inside, it argues that Perdue has failed to lower taxes, reduce pork barrel spending or crack down on illegal immigration.

It also repeats a claim that a 2001 bill made it easier for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.

As noted previously, that bill actually made it slightly harder.

The back page of the mailer argues that Republican Pat McCrory "successfully recruited dozens of new companies" and brought the NASCAR Hall of Fame to North Carolina, while the number of homicides in Charlotte decreased.

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.