McCrory praises Smith, forgets Pittenger

Pat McCrory dropped in on the legislature today.

The Republican gubernatorial nominee made an appearance at a 10:45 a.m. press conference with 30 Republican legislators who were discussing the upcoming short session and the budget process.

Earlier in the morning, he was introduced to the Republican Senate caucus by state Sen. Fred Smith, his erstwhile competitor in the GOP primary.

McCrory told reporters that the party is "a united front" on its goals of boosting the state's education system, creating jobs, lowering crime and reducing the size of government.

He also praised Smith as "one of the class acts of North Carolina," leading a round of applause from the legislators.

"During the past 13 weeks on the campaign trail, I saw an individual who has just incredible professionalism," he said. "He's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen in my life and he also is just a true public servant."

Standing behind McCrory was state Sen. Robert Pittenger, a Charlotte Republican who won the party's nomination for lieutenant governor, but McCrory failed to introduce him.

At the end of the press conference, Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger introduced Pittenger, and McCrory promptly apologized for forgetting him.