McCrory: I'm agent of change

Pat McCrory is picking up the mantle of change.

In a speech at the state Republican convention in Greensboro today, the gubernatorial nominee received one of the loudest ovations as he called himself "a change agent" in his race against Democratic nominee Beverly Perdue, Jim Morrill reports.

"We have been governed for the past decade by the good ole boy politics of Gov. (Mike) Easley and Lt. Gov. Perdue," he said. "I want to change the culture."

John Davis, president of the pro-business group NCFREE, said McCrory and Obama could appeal to many of the same kind of voters: newcomers, urban, young and ready for change.

"It's not a party thing," he said. "It's an anti-establishment, a 'pox-on-both-your-houses,' general change-voter driving this election year."

Alan Pugh, the GOP chairman in Randolph County, agreed.

"So for those who understand the dynamics of the election, these are the ones that are positive," he said. "The ones that are negative are those sitting around listening to the 24-hour news channels."