The Chronicle Editorial Board's Oct. 22 endorsement of Michael Munger for governor was impractical at best. What was more troubling was the lack of context in its recommendation of Beverly Purdue.
As the presidential candidates promote change in Washington, North Carolinians could certainly stand a little change in Raleigh too. As The News & Observer put it in its Oct. 22 endorsement of Pat McCrory, "three years of scandals and the imprisonment of three former or current legislators have soiled North Carolina's capital." His proposals to clean up the capital seem spot-on. McCrory's proposal to create special state grand juries to investigate political crimes is a timely idea. He has also proposed measures to make state government more accountable and transparent, including an online database that would provide N.C. taxpayers with information about all government expenditures and contracts. It's time for good 'ol boy politics to end in North Carolina, and that will require real leadership.
McCrory's experience as a record-setting seven-term mayor of Charlotte, even though the majority of voters are Democrat and Independent, proves he is capable of such leadership. One of his biggest achievements as mayor was the construction of the light-rail system in Charlotte. Although The Chronicle cited his "massive road-building projects," they failed to mention his plans for promoting environmentally friendly mass transit, HOV lanes, park and ride facilities and requiring state-owned fleets to use alternate-energy vehicles.
Unless there is real change in Raleigh, we will continue to see an erosion of public trust. Purdue has served as lieutenant governor for the last eight years, playing an important role in a state government that has already disappointed voters. North Carolina deserves better and McCrory is the answer.
Fortunately, we are about to witness something that has happened only twice in the last 100 years, the election of a Republican as North Carolina's governor.
Samantha Mumma
Chair, Duke Students for Pat McCrory
Trinity '11
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