Weapons of Mass Destruction in Charlotte

If a gathering of Young Republicans doesn't qualify as a weapon of mass destruction, I don't know what does. There was certainly something in the air this weekend as Young Republicans held their state convention in Charlotte, and that something was the aroma of the mingling of incompetence, greed and fear.

The toddling neophytes of the Republican regime were lobbied by the list of GOP goobernatorial hopefuls including Former N.C. Supreme Courth Justice Bob Orr, Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory(?), State Sen. Robert Pittenger and "wealthy trial lawyer" Bill Graham. Patrick Ballentine was not able to attend.

The Charlotte Observer has the story, as well as a few handy quotes from some of the hopefuls and also rans. I think the funniest quote is from our dear Mayor, Pat McCrory:

McCrory emphasized the importance of building "cordial, not adversarial" relationships with the business community. He said having the future NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte will ensure some of the brightest minds in technology remain in the area.

Ahhhh, yes, because scientists and tech gurus are all big NASCAR fans. Sorry, Mayor Pat, you lost me on that one.

The scariest quote came from Bill Graham:

"What we've got to get back to is right and wrong politics, not right and left politics."

I'll leave it to you to figure out what he thinks the difference is between right and wrong and I bet you don't even need a hint.

The article doesn't talk much about the convention, so there's no gossip to pass on. I'm sure all the little "dear leaders" had the times of their lives.

< / childish snark >

Sue Myrick Bitch Slaps Robert Pittenger

Jim Morrill from The Charlotte Observer got a chance to step outside his typical dry political world and write about something juicy. I'm not going to give it all away, so you will have to go read it yourself.

Gist for the mill: Sue Myrick is in for 2008. She blames Robert Pittenger for spreading a rumor that she was not going to run. Sue no likey Robert Pittenger anymore and it looks like another man is involved. Oooh, a political menage a trois.

In a rare public rebuff, U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick Tuesday severed ties with fellow Charlotte Republican and longtime supporter Robert Pittenger.

Myrick told Pittenger, a state senator, that she was kicking him off her congressional finance committee and asked him to remove her picture from a Web site.

"I no longer think it appropriate for you to have a part in the strategic direction of my political future," she wrote.

:::snip:::

In her letter to Pittenger, Myrick said she had heard "from numerous sources" that the two of them had "cut a deal" where Myrick would run for governor and endorse Pittenger for her congressional seat.

"I am not going to run for governor and I am not going to support you for Congress," she wrote.

What does Pittenger have to say and where does he place the blame for this development? You'll have to read the Observer. I can't give away all the juicy stuff Jim worked so hard to ferret out.

Is Sue Myrick Retiring?

A friend nudged me in the direction of a Charlotte Observer rumor mill piece printed yesterday that tossed the idea in the air that Pat McCrory might run for Sue Myrick's seat if she retires. Funny, we were having that discussion here way back at the end of November.

State Sen. Robert Pittenger, according to the Observer, has already made it known that he would run for Myrick's seat if she vacates it. With all this rumor mongering by the Observer it does lead me to believe something is up with Sue. Maybe she isn't well enough to continue serving, or maybe she does plan to run for Dole's seat.

I've also heard through the grapevine that McCrory might consider a run for Lt. Governor, but I'm not sure I see that. McCrory's not a bad guy for a Republican, but my fear is that he would get to Washington and step in line with all the other wingers. I know Pittenger would.

There's no suspense over who will be throwing his hat in the ring for a possible run against the Republican nominee. Bill Glass has announced he will run again in 2008. I haven't heard any rumors as to whether there are any other Democrats wanting a chance at this seat.

It's probably going to be a while before we find out.