Democrat Walter Dalton blasted Republican rival Pat McCrory’s record as Charlotte mayor Saturday, striking a combative tone in a Wilmington debate that reflected a governor’s race so far defined by millions in negative television advertising, John Frank reports.
In the first question in the campaign’s first debate, the lieutenant governor took aim at McCrory’s support for a downtown arena that many opposed and a budget that boosted his mayoral salary amid the financial crisis. “That is not leading by example,” Dalton said, noting that he voluntarily took a furlough amid state budget cuts.
McCrory offered no response in the debate or a subsequent interview about the pay hike but he had a witty retort about the arena project. “We’ve done such a good job the Democratic Party is coming to the city,” McCrory said, invoking laughter from crowd. “The convention is coming to the arena he criticized.”
Read the rest of the story here.
Comments
Kinda ironic. Unemployment
June 25, 2012 - 12:26pm — WilmingtonDemocratKinda ironic.
Unemployment doubled under W's terms as President and it doubled under Myers Park Pat's terms as Mayor. Least W. didn't go to work for a big lobbying firm.
Anyone BUT a democRAT !!!
June 25, 2012 - 6:19am — RedHotPokerWe will take anything we can get to get these power mongering slavedrivers OUT of office. The party of SLAVERY has RUINED our once great state.
I knew Bev Perdue
June 25, 2012 - 5:53am — cooldelaOn Bev's Lieutenant:
"I knew Bev Perdue. I served with Bev Perdue. And you, sir, are a Bev Perdue."
Debate
June 25, 2012 - 12:31am — S28117McCrory clearly swept the debate. Dalton was doing what he was told, his only chance, attack McCrory, it is his only avenue. Pedal as hard as he can, he can't distance himself from the Purdue=Easley camp so he sidesteps and brushes over questions and brings up the same old trite attacks that Purdue used years ago. McCrory was clear and concise, steering the debate and the election towards the issues and taking the higher ground of ethical behavior. He proved there are gentlemen with class in politics. Pat was sharp in his answers on issues, responsive to accusations, and reliable on his plans to put NC back in the game. .
Dalton struck out in debate/McCrory a solid double
June 24, 2012 - 10:16pm — concerned53Just watched the replay of the debate and the Mayor clearly showed his ability to lead this state out of the mess that our dems have created over the years. Pat has a vision & the passion to implement, while Wally had to slowly read the talking points that Bev and Mike gave him. Dalton could not separate himself from Bev and in fact, demonstrated that he is reading from the same slimey playbook that Bev used when he tried to tell a story from 4 years ago about dumps in NC - he probably had no clue what he was talking about but was ordered, "look, this might work!" The dems are so desperate to hang on that they will try to do anything to deceive the voters.
The unemployment rate
June 24, 2012 - 3:39pm — WilmingtonDemocratThe unemployment rate doubled under Mayor McCrory's tenure in Charlotte.
Perdue + Dalton + Easley does not equal Reform
June 24, 2012 - 1:57pm — concerned53We'd like to know who this blogger is paid by to come to false conclusions or lies? I believe you stated in an earlier entry that there are TWO lobbyists out of 300+ professionals at Moore & Van Allen. Not a large lobbying organization compared to Garrett Perdue's group at Womble Carlyle and others.
But if a Dalton child has special access to Wally as a lobbyist, it is just a continuation of illegal activities by you and the dems. Perdue = Dalton = Easley. NC deserves better.
Myers Park Pat said in the
June 24, 2012 - 1:27pm — WilmingtonDemocratMyers Park Pat said in the debate this morning that he was proud of his work at his lobbying/law firm. That means he is proud of the hundreds of thousands of dollars his lobbying/law firm is paid to represent special interests before the North Carolina General Assembly. How can he be a reformer when his law/lobbying firm that he is proud of makes hundreds of thousands of dollars for special interests.
Does North Carolina really want a lobbyist from Charlotte as Governor.
Garrett Perdue/Dalton's kids - NC lobbyists???
June 24, 2012 - 1:16pm — concerned53Hasn't Garrett Perdue been involved in some questionable corporate land deals with Bev while at Womble Carlyle? Insider dealings perhaps? More to come out on illegal dealings?
Are Wally's kids involved in lobbying activities with the state government? If so, I would be curious about any and all conversations/emails that the current Lt. Governor has had with his kids.
Easley, Bev and now Dalton, perhaps????? Do tell if anyone has any information. How about some investigative reporting from the N&O?