Is McCrory Over His Head?
2013-07-30 - by
Maybe Kieran Shanahan quit because Governor McCrory still hadn’t learned his name. The Governor called him “Sharon” and “Karen” at a press conference.
Whatever caused Shanahan’s abrupt and rumor-spawning resignation, it punctuates a rough start to McCrory’s administration.
He claimed he got 20 of his 22 legislative priorities. But he clearly was the tail to Republican legislators’ dog.
The Governor just as clearly will break a promise he made to the people of North Carolina in 2012. He will sign into law new restrictions on abortion. That’s the title and the clear purpose of the bill, and no amount of weasel-wording can make it not about abortion. As Abe Lincoln said, calling a horse chestnut a chestnut horse doesn’t make it one.
Then McCrory admitted he would sign voter restrictions into law even though he hadn’t read the bill and seemed unaware of a key provision.
So, when a much-hyped Cabinet secretary leaves with just weeks’ notice just six months into the job, the question arises: Is McCrory over his head in the Governor’s Office?
In fairness, new governors – and Presidents – often have a rough start. For all his legislative success in 1977, Governor Hunt struggled to get control of his administration.
Hunt learned and adjusted. He brought Joe Pell and John A. Williams onto his staff to strengthen his hand. Problem solved.
Hunt, on the other hand, never had to learn to read the words, watch his words and keep his word. And that gets to the heart of why even some Republicans judge McCrory a lightweight.
Does he do the hard, time-consuming homework that being Governor requires? Does he pay attention to small things that make a big difference? Does he choose his words carefully?
Or does he sign bills he hasn’t read – or at least made sure he gets a full and accurate report on what he’s about to sign into law? Does he talk without thinking: saying “none” when asked what abortion restrictions he’ll sign, promising “revenue-neutral” tax reform, bashing liberal arts studies in college and saying he was in a Moral Monday crowd when he wasn’t? Does he keep a close eye on his Cabinet, or does he lurch from crisis to crisis?
That’s the unglamorous work that separates success from failure in an executive. So far, McCrory hasn’t made the grade.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans
Is McCrory Over His Head?
2013-07-30/
Maybe Kieran Shanahan quit because Governor McCrory still hadn’t learned his name. The Governor called him “Sharon” and “Karen” at a press conference.
Whatever caused Shanahan’s abrupt and rumor-spawning resignation, it punctuates a rough start to McCrory’s administration.
He claimed he got 20 of his 22 legislative priorities. But he clearly was the tail to Republican legislators’ dog.
The Governor just as clearly will break a promise he made to the people of North Carolina in 2012. He will sign into law new restrictions on abortion. That’s the title and the clear purpose of the bill, and no amount of weasel-wording can make it not about abortion. As Abe Lincoln said, calling a horse chestnut a chestnut horse doesn’t make it one.
Then McCrory admitted he would sign voter restrictions into law even though he hadn’t read the bill and seemed unaware of a key provision.
So, when a much-hyped Cabinet secretary leaves with just weeks’ notice just six months into the job, the question arises: Is McCrory over his head in the Governor’s Office?
In fairness, new governors – and Presidents – often have a rough start. For all his legislative success in 1977, Governor Hunt struggled to get control of his administration.
Hunt learned and adjusted. He brought Joe Pell and John A. Williams onto his staff to strengthen his hand. Problem solved.
Hunt, on the other hand, never had to learn to read the words, watch his words and keep his word. And that gets to the heart of why even some Republicans judge McCrory a lightweight.
Does he do the hard, time-consuming homework that being Governor requires? Does he pay attention to small things that make a big difference? Does he choose his words carefully?
Or does he sign bills he hasn’t read – or at least made sure he gets a full and accurate report on what he’s about to sign into law? Does he talk without thinking: saying “none” when asked what abortion restrictions he’ll sign, promising “revenue-neutral” tax reform, bashing liberal arts studies in college and saying he was in a Moral Monday crowd when he wasn’t? Does he keep a close eye on his Cabinet, or does he lurch from crisis to crisis?
That’s the unglamorous work that separates success from failure in an executive. So far, McCrory hasn’t made the grade.
Posted in General, North Carolina - Republicans