Comments for Conservative Voter Alert! | Eastern NC Now

When it comes to the governor's primary on the GOP side, the three candidates reflect the three Republican governors NC has had in the last half century wth each reflecting a different governor. Having been active in politics during each of those administrations, and serving in one GOP governor's administration (conservative Jim Martin), I will explain which 2024 candidate matches up with which former GOP governor.

Bill Graham is similar to Gov. Jim Holshouser (1973-1977)

Dale Folwell is similar to Gov. Jim Martin (1985-1993). Governor Martin has even endorsed Folwell in this primary.

Mark Robinson is similar to Gov. Pat McCrory (2013-2017)

Jim Holshouser was a lawyer who talked conservative but had a much less conservative background and did not govern as a conservative. He had enough administrative ability to run a reasonably competent administration but did little to push a conservative agenda. He relied heavily on a political operative named Gene Anderson who was mean and power-driven and permanently left the state the day after the administration ended. Graham, a wealthy trial lawyer, largely fills the bill right down to his political operative he shares with Tillis, Paul Shumaker.

Jim Martin was a staunch conservative who was more focused on actually achieving conservative policy objectives than in railing about them in speeches. He was a superb administrator who staffed his administration with politically savvy conservatives who could get the job done, and he delivered. He breezed to an easy second term, the only Republican governor ever to serve two terms. State Treasurer Folwell matches Marin's style and abilities as well as his political philosophy. It is no surprise that Martin has endorsed Folwell in the upcoming primary.

Pat McCrory could give a decent speech, although not as fiery as Mark Robinson, but he talked a good game. He did an awful job of staffing his administration, however, ignoring policy-oriented conservatives and often putting in people who lacked loyalty to the administration and even basic competence. Bungling staff cost him reelection. McCrory was also completely adrift on policy his entire term. Mark Robinson shares McCrory's failings. He has been incompetent in organizing a functioning lieutenant governors office, which is tiny compared to a gubenatorial administration, and he talks a real good game on issues, but hasn't done a thing to impact issues in the General Assembly where he is presiding officer of the state senate. He represents all of the things that made McCrory an unsuccessful governor.

Dale Folwell is the one candidate with the skill set, philosophy, and principles to be a successful governor.
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Commented: Friday, February 23rd, 2024 @ 2:50 pm By: Steven P. Rader

Flim-flam in politics! Imagine that!

Commented: Friday, February 23rd, 2024 @ 10:25 am By: Bubba

We should be particularly suspicious of candidates who overuse the word "conservative" in their campaign materials and websites. Something is usually wrong there. For example, Bill Graham overuses that term and he is recruited and endorsed by liberal Thom Tillis. Definitely something wrong with that picture. Then there is Bob Brinson, who also overuses that term. In his only public office, a partial term on the New Bern City Counsil, there is very little in his voting record there that tells you what he is, but there is one glaring thing. Brinson voted LIBERAL to raise taxes, and he is now sending out postcards saying he is a tax cutter. No, what Brinson has demonstrated is that he is a LIAR who voters simply cannot trust. Well, that and a tax and spend liberal.

Commented: Friday, February 23rd, 2024 @ 7:20 am By: Rino Hunter

Translation - Not every republican is a nut and it makes me sad.

Commented: Friday, February 23rd, 2024 @ 6:46 am By: Big Bob

It is hilarious how everybody talks conservative at election time. Some of these extremely well-funded candidates are telling some outright whoppers. Many of the palm cards from the local Repub Party and their satellites are fanciful tales of absurdity.
If you are looking for conservative candidates to vote for, do your own research and believe nothing but real facts and records. Lacking time for that, make sure the recommendations come from the BC Conservative Club. You won't find phony baloney conservatives in that group. Anything else might be the exact opposite of what you are looking for. There's a lot of shameless lying going on.

Commented: Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 @ 9:32 pm By: Van Zant