Now that primary season is concluded, it is pretty clear that Roy Cooper has the inside track to pick up North Carolina’s US Senate seat for the socialists. He has won numerous statewide elections in the state. He possesses a personality and a manner of speech that many voters in the state find agreeable.
Mike Whatley is the Republican nominee, but he has an uphill climb. I saw his victory speech last Tuesday night; and while he is a competent speaker, he focuses almost exclusively on economic matters. There is no discussion of cultural issues, constitutional issues or limited government. Similarly, his website is remarkably devoid of content even though he has been a candidate for US Senate since last summer.
Some are concerned that he will turn out to be a mushy moderate.
Where else do voters have to go? There will likely be a libertarian candidate, but these are typically liberal on social issues, immigration, trade and borders. The Constitution Party does not have ballot access but might run someone as a write-in candidate.
In order for Whatley to win, he needs to differentiate himself from Cooper significantly. That requires a “comparative” campaign. But in reality, he will have to “go negative” to drive down Cooper’s electability. Cooper has provided an ample target with his various actions and policy positions over the years. The voters just need to be educated; and need to be led to see beyond Cooper’s personality and manner of speech.
Any negative campaign would need to be smart and true and accurate. There is no need to manufacture items because Cooper’s record is so extensive.
But Whatley also needs to think long and hard about who he is. If his mindset is that of an establishment Republican, he is going to lose. If he has latent conservative inclinations, these need to rise to the surface. He needs to be somebody that people want to support– and we haven’t seen it yet.
But right now, based on what he has displayed thus far, chances are he would be an enormous disappointment even if he were elected.
An easy but uncomfortable choice.
(My, oh my, hasn’t Tillis gone batshit crazy)
Fred, I chose not to post about Tillis’ most recent episodes. But it seems pretty clear that his histrionics contributed to Trump sacking Noem. I hope he does not have similar “success” with Steve Miller.
I found it a bit distressing that Trump fired Noem because it was unjustified. If we are serious about border security, there are going to be some unsavory scenes precipitated by the socialists. We need to be willing to ride those out, stand beside our people and manage the PR.
Reminds me a lot of the Jeb Bush vs. Hillary Clinton match up. Who cares?
‘Tis said the perfect can be the enemy of the good. We’ve suffered decades now of the mediocre being the enemy of the good. It might be just as well to have a Democrat that we know is evil than a “moderate” like Tillis, who helped the Dems persecute the J6ers and helped the Dems with Russiagate and helped the Dems create the Faucian Dystopia.
We are screwed. And I don’t suffer the illusion that voting will do a thing about it.
You’re definitely justified to feel that way, J. Sobran.