Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing


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.

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Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

Having worked the polls in the Primary I can assure you that both McCain and McCory will get a lot of Hillary voters in Eastern NC. As a Smith supporter, I can say that McCory has improved his position extreamly well and Perdue who is "Obamatized" is very slowly fading especially in her home areas. I don't see Perdue selling more of the same old spend, tax, spend and do it again. Too many folks are trying to tie NC to the Presidential Election, bad idea, but I hope the Dimocrats keep it up!

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

People may be tired of some sorry Democratic ways, like the certificate of participation financing totaling near a half billion dollars. But, McCrory has shown he is no stranger to spending either.

Watching Washington Republicans spend this country further and further into debt to finance their big business contributors hasn't exactly been satisfying either.

I am not voting Republican again this year.

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

It's a fairly well-written piece, even if it is a clip-show montage of previous hit pieces against Democrats. By the way, you forgot the lesbian. I did like the finish where the African-Americans will march to the polls and ruin all the Republican dreams and such. It just goes to show, if you work real hard...turdblossom? FFC, are you on crackkk?

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

Perdue is being CALLED OUT across Western NC for her NONresponses to several public televised DEBATES...

SHE's SO LAME and RUDE that she wont even RESPOND!!! What a turdblossum she has turned into...and you people want this shady chick as a leader???
W H Y???

Eastern NC in Rebellion OVER ELECTRICITIES MISMANAGEMENT

Eastern NC SPEAKS OUT ABOUT ELECTRICITIES MISMANAGEMENT AND LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
ARTICLE

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/local/content/news/stories/2008/07/13/
electricities.html

ARTICLE
http://www.wilsontimes.com/News/Local/Story/
Electric-rates-face-August-increase

COMMENTS
www.thepoliticalagitator.com

COMMENTS
http://wilsontimes.com/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=8

Editor
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/
communities/herrin/entries/2008/07/15/hey_electricities_give_us_a_br.html

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/
communities/herrin/entries/2008/06/25/
fifteen_minutes_before_polls_c.html#comments

Tarboro
http://www.gotarboro.com/cbb/
Scotland Neck
http://www.topix.net/forum/city/scotland-neck-nc/THLJI91MLU2632SN4

Editorial
http:/www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/news/opinion/
stories/2008/07/19/ratesedit.html

Citizens in Wilson
http://wilson.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=231

KINSTON
http://www.kinston.com/news/average_47972___article.html/
increase_rate.html

http://www.kinston.com/articles/north_48108___article.html/
editor_students.html

http://www.kinston.com/news/water_46901___article.html/rates_increase.html

BLUENC
http://bluenc.com/electricities-mismanagement-is-our-target

http://terrellforhouse33.blogspot.com/

If you live in one of the 19 western cities, especially those in Gastonia, Lexington, High Point, Granite Falls, Monroe (Board Member cities) and you want to help with a letter to the editor and comments to the council, email Alman on www.bluenc.com Same for 32 eastern cities especially Tarboro, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Greenville, La Grange and Wake Forest (board members). Different letter and comments.

We will be spreading out and covering reporters in cities, councils/Mayors, business leaders. We will get a spokesperson for each group.

Talk to your paper, call city council, email and call legislators. Time to let the voice of the people be heard about mismanagement at ElectriCities.

Elizabeth City
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/
elizabeth-city-officials-brace-residents-higher-energy-costs#comment-631695

http://www.dailyadvance.com/search/content/news/stories/
2008/07/18/0719electricDM.html

Elizabeth City
A 14 percent electric rate increase is proposed. Any rate increase from ElectriCities is likely to be passed along in full to customers because of previous city efforts to avoid rate increases. Public hearing, July 28

Hertford
The Town Council rejected a proposal to increase retail rates 9.8 percent. Next month, it will reconsider the proposal and a suggested compromise. Next meeting, Aug. 11

Edenton
The town manager expects to request a 12 to 13 percent increase in retail rates. Committee meeting, July 28 Decision expected, August

On TV
The ElectriCities presentation made to Elizabeth City’s council on Friday will be rebroadcast on Elizabeth City’s Channel 11 this week:
Monday: 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.
Thursday: 2 p.m.
Friday: noon

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

With the past 40 years of ultra NC democrackkk corruption, HOW can any NC citizen with a brain vote for ANY democrackkk EVER AGAIN?????

You want Sugar Dumplin Perdue - MORE CORRUPTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION???

NC cannot stand another term of criminal democrackkks ruining our once great state!

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

This is clearly correct, and by simple numbers, it's going to carry downballot.

Mr. Terrell, I am sorry to say that this means you. You're going to get pounded. I'd be more sorry, but your comment ... seriously, if you're going to write in a public forum, make some charges that have some basis in substance. $8 gas? 50% tax rates? What in the name of poor old John Birch are you talking about?

I hope you don't pour too much of your hard-earned dough into this, but if you want to lose some more, I'd be glad to give you 2-1 odds, or spot you, say, 5% just to make it interesting.

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

"Both want $8 gas at the pumps and increasing your taxes to around or above 50% of your total income."

Do you actually believe this malarky? Please provide a link to back up these rather absurd claims. And please, no Faux News or Rush type sources.

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

Wow, Mr. Terrell, it sounds like you've really got a message to deliver! That point about how it's "hypocritical" to say you want change and then vote for BOTH Obama and Perdue is pretty sharp. I bet some of the lefties on this website would be stunned into silence with that one.

I'm glad you pointed this out about how Obama and Perdue both want $8.00 gas. I hadn't heard that (but you know how the media is).

Best of all is your point about being one of us workers. Dan Blue can't compete with that. Does anyone know any lawyers who *work* for a living? I'm sick of these elitist snobs. Betcha he's a racist and a secret Muslim, too.

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

I disagree...while there may be higher voter turnout, I believe it's safe money McCain will win in NC. Of course, I don't think anyone, at this point, can say McCain has any coattails worth speaking of.

I think Perdue will win, but it'll be close.

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

I for one believe that Obama would be a disaster for President and Perdue would be with four more years of entrenched Democratic corruption in North Carolina. Choosing Obama and Perdue is kind of hypocritical. For one you want change nationally, but with the other you do not want change locally. Which is it?

Both want $8 gas at the pumps and increasing your taxes to around or above 50% of your total income. Both would be disasters to our national and local economy. Drilling here in the US is one part of the solution that they are dead set against. Obama himself said he is happy with the current gas prices, just not how fast they went up. Perdue is hiding because she is afraid to debate McCrory. We do not need a timid governor.

This is why I am running for State House 33 against Dan Blue. We need a working person in there representing the people, not a elitist lawyer that talks in lawyer speak when asked questions about Jessica's Law or Forced Annexation. Someone who works for a living that truly understands what everyone is going through.

Paul Terrell III

http://terrellforhouse33.blogspot.com

Re: Be the Pundit: McCrory's bad timing

Excellent analysis, but maybe overestimates Obama's impact lower on the ballot. Time will tell. I support both Obama and Bev Purdue, so I hope this analysis turns out to be true. I expect huge turnout in urban areas, especially in Mecklenburg, but not so much in rural areas that will go for McCain.

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