If Pat McCrory loses in November, he’ll regret March.

He came into the month like a lion. John Davis wrote that McCrory’s big primary win and passage of the Connect NC bonds positioned him well:

“(His) seven terms as Mayor of the City of Charlotte seasoned him well to lead an urban dominant swing state. His successful leadership of the Connect NC bond referendum adds to his potential for winning crossover independent-leaning Democratic voters statewide.”

Then came House Bill 2. And a political hurricane over discrimination. And national news coverage. And a firestorm of businesses angry over damage to North Carolina’s brand.

McCrory didn’t even want the bill. It was foisted on him by Dan Forest and Phil Berger.

But for some reason he doubled and tripled down on the issue. He went full Trump against the media. He made himself the face of the controversy, while Roy Cooper made himself the leader concerned about the damage to North Carolina.

McCrory won in 2012 because (1) he had an opponent hampered by a late start and a primary, (2) he ran as a pragmatic, moderate, modern executive and (3) he rolled up big margins in Charlotte.

All that is in jeopardy, thanks to HB2.

Which may be why McCrory waffled yesterday. He met with opponents of the new law. He suggested it might need a few tweaks.

But now this whole thing is about to reach a new crisis level. The NBA may pull its All-Star game. The NCAA may cancel tournament games.

And, Blue Heaven forbid, Roy Williams might have to answer questions at the Final Four about the dadgum thing.