What can I say—great minds think alike. Yes I know we’re all holding our breath to find out whether or not the NBA will yank the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte over HB2—but I was just thinking the other day that business here in North Carolina seems to be moving along fairly swimmingly in spite of the controversial law and the doomsday scenarios forecast for our fair state by the bill’s opponents. Most recent example— Flight of the Conchords played in the Triangle Monday night and as far as I know there was no big deal made of HB2. If there had been, we would have heard about it, believe you me. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong.)

With this in mind JLF chairman John Hood weighs in on liberals’ ‘all HB2 all the time’ strategy as the election heats up:

We all know that if North Carolina’s economy were relatively weak, its state finances were in a shambles, and its education and transportation programs were getting scant attention from state leaders, the Left would want the state’s political conversation to be about these issues.

Because the facts are otherwise, liberals prefer to focus on H.B. 2. They can’t even say they’re doing so because of its potential economic effects, because we also all know that much of the external pressure on North Carolina from corporations, business associations, and the national media has been facilitated, encouraged, and often instigated by left-wing interest groups and Democratic politicians, very much including McCrory’s opponent in the gubernatorial race, Roy Cooper.

I actually disagree with some provisions of H.B. 2 and would like state policymakers to revisit them in the future. But the Left’s fixation on the bill is wildly, indefensibly disproportionate. They think it will determine the outcome of the 2016 elections. They’re wrong about that, too.

Another issue on which liberals will focus—HB 972—the law restricting access to police camera footage. As evidence, last night the Greensboro City Council engaged in a very confused debate and discussion over what —if any—action they could take to protest HB 972. It was an 90 minutes out of the life of everyone who spectated and participated that they will never have back.