Roy Cooper is as good as they get - honest, sincere, decent, professional, intelligent, and effective. I’ve already contributed to his campaign, and as a lifelong North Carolinian I will be shocked and literally heartbroken if this trump tool, Whatley, somehow wins.
I'm an NC native who moved away and came back 33 years ago. I've known Gov. Cooper slightly for most of the past dozen years, since he was first running for governor after two successful terms as NC AG.
He is absolutely genuine. He has integrity, as Linda Cobb notes. He's honest, in touch, humane; he cares about people and their welfare. He wants everyone in the state -- and the nation -- to do well. Not flashily, not dishonestly, but like himself. His mom was a school teacher (like mine); he studied hard and went to law school and ran for the legislature and has always served others.
His Christian faith (which I don't share: I'm a humanist and Unitarian Universalist) and his values and his integrity are unquestionable; in fact, unlike faux Xristians and nationalists, he actually believes in the message Jesus shared: "Love your neighbor as yourself." He's also glad to explain not just what he stands for, but why, and what he hopes will be the result.
He's a mensch. He's Jimmy "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Stewart without the naivete or stars in his eyes. A true believer in democracy and a fighter for our democratic republic. What could be better than that?
Thank you for a great article. I have donated to Cooper and I think he will win. He talks the language of the folks in North Carolina. I urge Democrats to push for saving taxpayers money by combining the local elections with the midterm even year elections. It will save millions of dollars every election cycle. It also will boost voter turnout and according to a study in California which has adopted this policy, it has resulted in the election of more women and more Minorities to local offices!!! This helps prevent small groups of extremists taking over school boards due to the increased voter turnout and the election of more minorities (usually Democrats).
It's precisely because Roy Moore has been in office since 1987 he will win. People know he has served his state for that many years, and has nothing he needs to prove. No need for fireworks campaigning. They'll vote him in because they know him as someone they can trust. End of story.
OMG, please edit your comment! In a nation full of despicable politicians, Roy Moore is one of the most despicable. Roy COOPER is one of the finest people and government servants to ever bless our state - and hopefully in a few months, the nation.
Sorry- commented. My mistake- yes OMG- Not all Roy's are created equal. Roy Moore who should never be voted into office ever again. But Roy Cooper IS as you noted is the Roy we hope our voters in South Carolina will bless by your state into the US senate. I'm so sorry for my careless last name confusion mistake here.
Thanks for the well wishes! I have to believe that Cooper will get the most votes b/c he is so beloved; I just wish I had confidence that it will translate into him actually being seated in the Senate. It's going to be a nail-biter of a few months b/c T and his sycophants are going to do everything possible to make sure the will of the voters does *not* prevail unless they approve.
(Also, in case you're not aware, if you click on the three dots (...) to the right of your name, you'll get a drop down menu with an "Edit" option that allows you to modify your comment. Can't tell you how many times I've had to do that - ha! I should also say that apparently this doesn't work on every device, so it's not you if you try and can't do it.)
How can you write about North Carolina without mentioning its history of hyperpartisan Republican gerrymandering? This affects state legislative races and Congressional House District races, and MAGA-friendly state courts have added to the problem by blessing efforts to diminish the powers of the governor, including the power to appoint members of the state election board. That board is currently taking a sledgehammer to voting procedures (eliminating Sunday voting and early voting, eliminating voting stations in university areas, etc).
It's an interesting divide between the two parties.
With the Democrats, locally-grown candidates are rising up on all sides, reflecting the concerns and cultures of their regions and their people.
They don't all speak in Carville-ese, as Democrats once did--those artfully-polled little sound-bites that have cost the Democrats so many districts, states, and national elections over the last thirty years. Instead (the occasional Hakeem Jeffries to the contrary notwithstanding), many of them have learned to maintain a fierce sense of locality, of time and place, of having their fingers on the pulse of THEIR people rather than sniffing the DC air and chasing after opinion polls and dark money.
They understand what the consultants have long failed to understand: people don't vote Democratic in North Carolina for the same reason they vote Democratic in New York; they don't vote Democratic in Maine for the same reason they vote Democratic in Alabama.
The Republicans, on the other hand, have become a national party driven by loyalty tests and loyalty oaths and a rigid national vision. They all speak exactly the same language--they even lie the same. As their party's policies shred the lives of their constituents they insist that the real menace is not tariffs, or vast transfers of public wealth into the private pockets of the super-rich, or the destruction of the public health infrastructure, or the shredding of the safety net.
Instead the real menace is the Socialist Communist Woke Muslim Sharia Trans Immigrant Union of Body Snatchers.
Republican voters are assured that only by voting in a spirit of pure fealty to Dear Leader and the White-Skinned Order Of The Red Cap can they hope to save their grandchildren from The Beast.
In the meantime just ignore that burning mountaintop, that shuttered factory, that poisoned river, that pediatric ward filling up with unvaccinated kids, that ever-expanding megadrought.
Listen, follow, obey. Donald says it's all good.
It's quite striking.
I hope the Democrats are ready, just in case the miracle happens and they pull off a win. Because even if they do, THEY'RE going to have to deal with the burning mountains and the megadrought and all the rest: and Donald as well.
Another terrific column. Cooper is authentic and relates well with North Carolina voters. The issues he discusses are those that effect most people regardless of political preference. We should all hope to be this boring while being on point and relatable.
There's an old cliche about voters wanting a work horse, not a show horse. Cooper fits that description - he gets stuff done for the people in his unassuming way.
Pardon me for going off topic, but can we please get some content moderation to deal with the people who spam the comments with multi-paragraph, multi-part screeds that have nothing to do with Roy Cooper, North Carolina, or the Senate election?
The Bulwark needs to report on the cost of health care and how it is bankrupting average Americans.
Roy Cooper is as good as they get - honest, sincere, decent, professional, intelligent, and effective. I’ve already contributed to his campaign, and as a lifelong North Carolinian I will be shocked and literally heartbroken if this trump tool, Whatley, somehow wins.
He won as Governor. He is popular in NC. He should win a senate seat.
The don't make 'em any finer than Roy Cooper.
Also, Jamie Ager's dad told me it was Mike Whatley who recruited Mark Robinson. That should be enough to cost him the election.
Larry David. American hero .
I'm an NC native who moved away and came back 33 years ago. I've known Gov. Cooper slightly for most of the past dozen years, since he was first running for governor after two successful terms as NC AG.
He is absolutely genuine. He has integrity, as Linda Cobb notes. He's honest, in touch, humane; he cares about people and their welfare. He wants everyone in the state -- and the nation -- to do well. Not flashily, not dishonestly, but like himself. His mom was a school teacher (like mine); he studied hard and went to law school and ran for the legislature and has always served others.
His Christian faith (which I don't share: I'm a humanist and Unitarian Universalist) and his values and his integrity are unquestionable; in fact, unlike faux Xristians and nationalists, he actually believes in the message Jesus shared: "Love your neighbor as yourself." He's also glad to explain not just what he stands for, but why, and what he hopes will be the result.
He's a mensch. He's Jimmy "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Stewart without the naivete or stars in his eyes. A true believer in democracy and a fighter for our democratic republic. What could be better than that?
Lifelong Charlotte resident here. Couldn't have said it any better. Roy is the real deal. Onward!
Thank you for a great article. I have donated to Cooper and I think he will win. He talks the language of the folks in North Carolina. I urge Democrats to push for saving taxpayers money by combining the local elections with the midterm even year elections. It will save millions of dollars every election cycle. It also will boost voter turnout and according to a study in California which has adopted this policy, it has resulted in the election of more women and more Minorities to local offices!!! This helps prevent small groups of extremists taking over school boards due to the increased voter turnout and the election of more minorities (usually Democrats).
It's precisely because Roy Moore has been in office since 1987 he will win. People know he has served his state for that many years, and has nothing he needs to prove. No need for fireworks campaigning. They'll vote him in because they know him as someone they can trust. End of story.
OMG, please edit your comment! In a nation full of despicable politicians, Roy Moore is one of the most despicable. Roy COOPER is one of the finest people and government servants to ever bless our state - and hopefully in a few months, the nation.
Sorry- commented. My mistake- yes OMG- Not all Roy's are created equal. Roy Moore who should never be voted into office ever again. But Roy Cooper IS as you noted is the Roy we hope our voters in South Carolina will bless by your state into the US senate. I'm so sorry for my careless last name confusion mistake here.
Thanks for the well wishes! I have to believe that Cooper will get the most votes b/c he is so beloved; I just wish I had confidence that it will translate into him actually being seated in the Senate. It's going to be a nail-biter of a few months b/c T and his sycophants are going to do everything possible to make sure the will of the voters does *not* prevail unless they approve.
(Also, in case you're not aware, if you click on the three dots (...) to the right of your name, you'll get a drop down menu with an "Edit" option that allows you to modify your comment. Can't tell you how many times I've had to do that - ha! I should also say that apparently this doesn't work on every device, so it's not you if you try and can't do it.)
He’s been Governor. The socialist who is going to transgender your child play doesn’t work. That’s the only play the GOP has.
It’s one of their all time favourites.
How can you write about North Carolina without mentioning its history of hyperpartisan Republican gerrymandering? This affects state legislative races and Congressional House District races, and MAGA-friendly state courts have added to the problem by blessing efforts to diminish the powers of the governor, including the power to appoint members of the state election board. That board is currently taking a sledgehammer to voting procedures (eliminating Sunday voting and early voting, eliminating voting stations in university areas, etc).
It's an interesting divide between the two parties.
With the Democrats, locally-grown candidates are rising up on all sides, reflecting the concerns and cultures of their regions and their people.
They don't all speak in Carville-ese, as Democrats once did--those artfully-polled little sound-bites that have cost the Democrats so many districts, states, and national elections over the last thirty years. Instead (the occasional Hakeem Jeffries to the contrary notwithstanding), many of them have learned to maintain a fierce sense of locality, of time and place, of having their fingers on the pulse of THEIR people rather than sniffing the DC air and chasing after opinion polls and dark money.
They understand what the consultants have long failed to understand: people don't vote Democratic in North Carolina for the same reason they vote Democratic in New York; they don't vote Democratic in Maine for the same reason they vote Democratic in Alabama.
The Republicans, on the other hand, have become a national party driven by loyalty tests and loyalty oaths and a rigid national vision. They all speak exactly the same language--they even lie the same. As their party's policies shred the lives of their constituents they insist that the real menace is not tariffs, or vast transfers of public wealth into the private pockets of the super-rich, or the destruction of the public health infrastructure, or the shredding of the safety net.
Instead the real menace is the Socialist Communist Woke Muslim Sharia Trans Immigrant Union of Body Snatchers.
Republican voters are assured that only by voting in a spirit of pure fealty to Dear Leader and the White-Skinned Order Of The Red Cap can they hope to save their grandchildren from The Beast.
In the meantime just ignore that burning mountaintop, that shuttered factory, that poisoned river, that pediatric ward filling up with unvaccinated kids, that ever-expanding megadrought.
Listen, follow, obey. Donald says it's all good.
It's quite striking.
I hope the Democrats are ready, just in case the miracle happens and they pull off a win. Because even if they do, THEY'RE going to have to deal with the burning mountains and the megadrought and all the rest: and Donald as well.
Brilliant.
Great on the ground reporting.
Another terrific column. Cooper is authentic and relates well with North Carolina voters. The issues he discusses are those that effect most people regardless of political preference. We should all hope to be this boring while being on point and relatable.
There's an old cliche about voters wanting a work horse, not a show horse. Cooper fits that description - he gets stuff done for the people in his unassuming way.
Pardon me for going off topic, but can we please get some content moderation to deal with the people who spam the comments with multi-paragraph, multi-part screeds that have nothing to do with Roy Cooper, North Carolina, or the Senate election?
Just the dateline says a lot.
Cal Cunningham never came to WNC outside of Asheville a couple of times. Cheri Beasley: same.
Henderson County’s plenty red. County races rarely include Dem candidates. Yet, here’s Cooper, where Cunningham and Beasley feared to tread.
Go Roy Go