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Election '08: Governor
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Published: October 12, 2008
North Carolina enjoys a gubernatorial election this year with three candidates who would make good governors. The Journal thinks that Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is the best qualified of the three to be a very good governor.
McCrory has served the Queen City well during his seven terms, proving to be a practical leader for a vibrant and growing municipality. He will do the same for North Carolina.
We are, of course, impressed with the many good things that have happened in Charlotte over the last dozen years or so. But when it comes to McCrory, a Republican, we are most impressed that he led the city during its effort to fight traffic and pollution with better mass transit.
North Carolina is fast becoming an urban state. More than half of our population is urban, and the trend to city and suburban living is only accelerating. Yet, if North Carolina has ever had a city-oriented governor, it escapes the memories of the Journal's editorial board. A city-oriented governor, we believe, will help shape policies for the kind of state North Carolina is now and will be during this century.
The Journal was especially impressed with McCrory's promises to rethink our transportation needs and make long-range plans to meet them. He also impresses us with promised policies of an open office, thus allowing the public to see how its government operates.
North Carolina has been served well by its past governors and legislative leaders. But even winning teams need to be shaken up every once in a while. With legislative control likely to stay in the hands of current leaders, we think McCrory's new ideas and attitudes will serve to broaden the range of options for moving forward.
Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue, the Democratic nominee, has been an active leader in this state for many years. She knows how to get things done and did great work in leading the state's efforts to keep our military bases open.
Libertarian candidate Mike Munger has also impressed us this election season. The Duke University professor is a smart, reasonable and serious man whose ideas, we hope, will be considered by whoever wins this vote.
Of the three, McCrory stands out as most likely to do great things for this state. Life in Raleigh has been tough for our only two Republican governors. Just ask Jim Martin and Jim Holshouser. But we believe that McCrory has the managerial skill and the record of success working with Democrats to help him hurdle those political problems. Pat McCrory promises to be a charismatic leader and a progressive governor for this state. The Journal endorses him enthusiastically.
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