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Gov. Pat McCrory returned to Charlotte Friday to help House Speaker Thom Tillis raise campaign cash. For what campaign isn't clear.

McCrory was Tillis's guest at the Myers Park Country Club fundraiser that attracted some blue chip Charlotte hosts, including Tim Belk, Smokey Bissell, Tom Nelson, Allen Tate and Ed McMahan.

Tillis, holding himself to self-imposed term limits, has said he's in his last term in the House. He could choose to use the money on other House candidates next year. But he's also on the list of possible Republican candidates to challenger Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan in 2014.

One sponsor of Friday's fundraiser was Ned Curran, president of Bissell Companies. He said he was supporting Tillis for whatever he needed. Said Curran: "I think it's part of him having resources for himself or for others to be effective at what he does." --Jim Morrill, Observer staff writer

A Gaston County strip club owner gave Pat McCrory's campaign $200.

Sammy Tillman, owner of the Paper Doll Lounge (NSFW) in Charlotte, made the donation on Feb. 2, according to the Republican gubernatorial nominee's first-quarter campaign finance report. 

Billed as an "upscale gentleman's club," the Paper Doll claims to be the "grand daddy" of Charlotte clubs on its Web site, while a theme song claims to serve "cowboy playboys."

Consultant Jack Hawke said that the campaign did not realize Tillman's occupation, noting that its accountants also referred to former U.S. Sen. Jim Broyhill as a state legislator.

"They don't always catch who everybody is," he said. "It's a $200 contribution. We've accepted it, and I think that's basically the end of the story."

Hawke also joked about the size of the donation.

"I can tell you this, Pat McCrory's not going to take his pants off for $200," he said. When asked if that meant he would do so for more, he demurred. 

"I don't know what the amount is," he said, laughing. 

The Charlotte Observer has its own post-mortem on Pat McCrory.

The hometown newspaper of the Republican gubernatorial candidate put forward its own five reasons for his primary win this weeekend. (See Dome's thoughts here.)

He got national backing. McCrory caught the attention of national party leaders, with figures such as South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford encouraging him to run.

Voters didn't like their options. Polls taken before McCrory got in showed that half of Republicans were undecided. The other candidates were not well-known.

He had a solid base. McCrory was well-known in the Charlotte media market, home to a third of the state's Republican electorate. He won 80 percent of Mecklenburg County.

He raised money quickly. He transferred $400,000 from his mayoral campaign, then managed to raise $1.2 million in three months thanks to connections in Charlotte and statewide.

He had executive experience. As a seven-term mayor, McCrory was used to the media spotlight. He used his background to good effect in debates and ads.