Aside from JLF’s own Jeff Taylor, the N&R’s Doug Clark has the most interesting angle on ‘McCrory for Governor’ I’ve read so far.
Clark says McCrory stacks right up with Republican candidates Fred Smith and Bob Orr and, should he win the nomination, he’d be more than a match for either Dem, whether it’s Richard Moore or Beverly Perdue. But especially Perdue:
McCrory’s rivals discount his executive experience, noting that Charlotte has a “weak mayor” government. So do Greensboro and every other North Carolina city. But an effective mayor leads by articulating a vision and persuading others to follow — just how a governor should operate.
The only other major candidate with executive experience in government is Moore. If Perdue wins the Democratic nomination, the issue will turn strongly in McCrory’s favor because lieutenant governor is the ultimate “weak” job with hardly any significant duties at all.
So Clark’s basically saying we don’t a strong leader running for governor, right? That’s not good. The real problem is (in case you haven’t noticed) the same can be said about the race for president, and that’s not good either. I made the case to a liberal friend of mine a few weeks ago that the standard for president has permanently been lowered, and it started when we elected Bill Clinton president. He disagreed, saying he thought Clinton was wonderful president, citing his “brilliance.” Yeah, right. Now look who’s (in many people’s opinion) the Democratic frontrunner: The woman who’s been riding his coat tails these many years. And she could very well be elected.
When you step back and really think, it’s hard not be scared. I just try not to think about it that much.
