Seriously, what is the deal with blowing up at state Sen. Robert Pittenger? Are Republicans really this petty and clueless?
Answer: Yes.
Sue Myrick says that Pittenger was running around claiming that were Myrick to run for governor in 2008, Myrick would endorse him for her vacant House seat. Pittenger says that is all wrong, that he never said he had Myrick’s backing. She said, he said.
Except that everyone in Charlotte is wondering when, and if, Myrick ever leaves that seat who she’ll endorse if she does leave. Everyone knows that Mayor Pat McCrory wants to replace her, just as everyone knows Pittenger would like to as well. Here’s the key point of contention:
But state Republican chairwoman Linda Daves said Pittenger recently told her that he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2008 and would run for Congress at some point with Myrick’s blessing.
“He said, `I have Sue’s endorsement,’ ” Daves said. “Sounds to me like somebody’s trying to force Sue Myrick out of her congressional seat.”
Pittenger said Daves misinterpreted his remarks. As he recalls, he said, “If (Myrick) endorses anybody, I hope she endorses me.”
Got that? Myrick is afraid that Pittenger is going to run against her in a GOP primary in ’08. This reaction makes no sense otherwise. And what of Daves role in all this — why take Pittenger down a peg or two just as the General Assembly opens for business in Raleigh? You would think Charlotte needs all the help it can get in the fight against the Down East kleptocracy.
Evidently not.
Two other points: Myrick will never run for governor — no way she wants to criss-cross North Carolina to defend Charlotte — and calling Pittenger’s nonprofit, the Foundation for NC Future, just a vehicle for his political ambitions is a joke. All such groups linked to pols are essentially fronts for their political ambitions. Welcome to 2007, Sue. Or 1997, or 1987.
