I voted for Mayor Pat McCrory for governor of North Carolina. I have caught some heat from my more partisan friends, but I try to vote for the more progressive candidate in each election. I have watched both Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue and Mayor Pat McCrory for many years. It’s clear there’s no truly progressive candidate in this race. They both have taken conservative positions on many issues. However, McCrory has been doing a great job as Mayor of Charlotte in several ways and he is now campaigning on important good-government reforms.
First, McCrory has been an advocate for public transportation on both a local and state level for the last decade. He spearheaded the effort to implement the LYNX light rail system in Charlotte and he has advocated with the mayors of other public transit cities for a more rational transportation future for us all.
Second, McCrory has promised to end campaign fundraising by NC Board of Transportation members. BOT fundraising for candidates has been a traditional source of dubious decision making in the past – basically if you raise enough money for the winning gubernatorial candidate then you get to be on the Board of Transportation. Perdue has four different members of the BOT out raising money for her – or she did until two of them had to resign in disgrace earlier this year.
Frankly, as long as political fundraising plays a role in transportation decision making in North Carolina, we will never get a transportation system that serves the people’s needs first.
Third, I haven’t been impressed by anything Perdue has done or said. She claims to be very independent of Gov. Mike Easley, but it isn’t clear that she has done anything at all as Lt. Governor.
Therefore, although I disagree with both candidates on a range of issues, I know who Pat McCrory is and I know that he will be an advocate for clean government and rational transportation planning in North Carolina.
Mark Chilton
Carrboro
Mr. Chilton’s term expires in 2009- at which time I’m sure Carrboro will vote for the “more progressive candidate” running against him.
More “progressive”?? Than Chilton? Gimme a break.
Dear Sophie,
RE: “more progressive candidate”
I meant it ironically- as in the endorsement.
(Note the quotes.)
Sophie King: I responded to you several days ago- but my comments were not published. (tried twice)
I guess criticism of the mayor in the Citizen is considered hate speech…
or something.
Thanks for the clarification, I thought the comment strange but now it makes sense. Good one!
JM: welcome my friend- welcome, to the machine. I think this paper is much better than most as regards censure, but then you never know. Repeated requests to add squeezethepulp.com and moronsinchapelhill.com to the bloglist seem to be ignored. Hmmmm
there it is!