Roy is ready
As I listened to Roy Cooper set a crowd of OBX Democrats to clapping and hollering Monday evening, a wise old political vet whispered what I was thinking: “He’s come a long way.”
A year or so ago, Democrats had doubts about Cooper. “He should have run before now.” “Does he really have the fire in the belly?” “He needs to be a better speaker.”
Today, 70-some days before the election, Cooper has answered all the doubts. He picked the right year to run, he definitely has the fire and he’s speaking with energy, passion and conviction.
Check, check and check.
In person, Cooper has the fit, lean look of a man ready to run a marathon. His campaign is just as disciplined.
His timing this year, as it has been throughout his career, is perfect. The old joke was that, after coming to the legislature in the 1980s, he’s been a rising star in four different decades. His obvious talent make him obviously touted for bigger things.
In 1994, he was pushed to run for Tim Valentine’s seat in Congress. Cooper passed because he had young children. Smart.
He picked the right office (AG) and the right year (2000) to run statewide. He passed on U.S. Senate races in 2002 and 2004, good Republican years. He passed on challenging Bev Perdue for Governor in 2008; Democrats were going to nominate a woman, period. And he knew better than to get in the race late in 2012.
Now is the right year to run for Governor.
Since Governor McCrory signed HB2, Cooper went from behind in every poll to ahead in every poll. He’s catching a wave with voters who don’t like the direction McCrory and the Republican legislature have taken us. He evokes the North Carolina rural roots and embraces its new urban character.
He has a good message, and he sings it well. He hits HB2, education, the environment and over-partisanship with quick, strong lines.
One example Monday: teacher pay. Republicans are twisting statistics to camouflage their record on teacher pay. Cooper avoided the mind-numbing numbers game. He told a story.
He told about a third-grade teacher who came to him in despair about not just pay, but the lack of respect from Raleigh. Cooper told her about his third-grade teacher and the difference she made in his life. He assured the teacher she was making a difference in her students’ lives.
And he told her, “Hold on, I’m coming.”
Indeed. Coming on strong.
Roy is ready
As I listened to Roy Cooper set a crowd of OBX Democrats to clapping and hollering Monday evening, a wise old political vet whispered what I was thinking: “He’s come a long way.”
A year or so ago, Democrats had doubts about Cooper. “He should have run before now.” “Does he really have the fire in the belly?” “He needs to be a better speaker.”
Today, 70-some days before the election, Cooper has answered all the doubts. He picked the right year to run, he definitely has the fire and he’s speaking with energy, passion and conviction.
Check, check and check.
In person, Cooper has the fit, lean look of a man ready to run a marathon. His campaign is just as disciplined.
His timing this year, as it has been throughout his career, is perfect. The old joke was that, after coming to the legislature in the 1980s, he’s been a rising star in four different decades. His obvious talent make him obviously touted for bigger things.
In 1994, he was pushed to run for Tim Valentine’s seat in Congress. Cooper passed because he had young children. Smart.
He picked the right office (AG) and the right year (2000) to run statewide. He passed on U.S. Senate races in 2002 and 2004, good Republican years. He passed on challenging Bev Perdue for Governor in 2008; Democrats were going to nominate a woman, period. And he knew better than to get in the race late in 2012.
Now is the right year to run for Governor.
Since Governor McCrory signed HB2, Cooper went from behind in every poll to ahead in every poll. He’s catching a wave with voters who don’t like the direction McCrory and the Republican legislature have taken us. He evokes the North Carolina rural roots and embraces its new urban character.
He has a good message, and he sings it well. He hits HB2, education, the environment and over-partisanship with quick, strong lines.
One example Monday: teacher pay. Republicans are twisting statistics to camouflage their record on teacher pay. Cooper avoided the mind-numbing numbers game. He told a story.
He told about a third-grade teacher who came to him in despair about not just pay, but the lack of respect from Raleigh. Cooper told her about his third-grade teacher and the difference she made in his life. He assured the teacher she was making a difference in her students’ lives.
And he told her, “Hold on, I’m coming.”
Indeed. Coming on strong.