Tillis trying to get Robinson out of 2024 NCGOV race?
That’s the word coming over the transom. I picked up this nugget from someone with knowledge of the internal workings of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s (R) political operation.
My source says Robinson’s team was recently approached by someone influential within the Tillis political operation. My source says the idea floated by the Tillis rep was for Robinson to back out of a 2024 run for governor and, instead, look toward a spot in DC. The Tillis rep suggested that his side could help Robinson stay in the DC role for as long as he liked.
If Tillis were to win the 2024 governor’s race, there would be two years left on his current Senate term. He could appoint his successor. There’s no telling if THAT is the DC position the Tillis rep had in mind.
There has been no word yet on how the Robinson camp responded to such a proposal.
I may be wrong but I don’t think that Mark Robinson’s aspirations are to be a BIG dog, but rather, the RIGHT dog for N C.
I don’t know the Lt. Gov but I can’t imagine him being influenced by the likes of Tillis. I dislike him more and more each day when you talk about these “rumors”.
Tillis doesn’t really want to be replaced by Mark Robinson, but as usual, he is willing to promise whatever it takes to get what he does want, in this case, to be Governor. Notice I said, “willing to promise,” not “willing to do.” I don’t think Mark Robinson would be stupid enough to trust any promise from Tillis, and I hope he sticks with running for Governor, instead. In any case, the further Tillis is from ANY political office, the better off the decent, honest citizens of North Carolina will be, and the sooner the better. Some people have even asked me to run against Tillis, but I have no desire to go to DC, and I don’t think I could raise enough money or handle the State-wide travel it would take to run for that office. For one thing, I don’t fly. It would be nice to think I could take out Tillis, but I know it wouldn’t happen, and I would rather see someone more capable take him on, like Dan Bishop.
I don’t think he’s stupid where Tillis is concerned either, but someone needs to get in his ear about the dangers of endorsing people you don’t even know. He has either endorsed bad local candidates in my county or the local corrupt county party leaders are taking Robinson’s name in vain. If the latter, Robinson needs to put a stop to that, also. His name associated with these bad candidates isn’t going to be good for him in 2024.
A good example of that is RINO Jim Perry. There was a top drawer conservative challenger gearing up to challenge Perry in the primary, with a lot of local support lined up, then Robinson out of the blue sends out an endorsement of Perry. The result was the conservative not entering the race. It was like that Trump endorsement of Thom Tillis that collapsed the campaign of Tillis’ conservative primary challenger.
Bad endorsements like that, and there seem to be a number of them around the state, will make conservative activists take a closer look at Dale Folwell , if he runs for governor in a primary with Robinson than they might have without those endorsements. It is probably related at least partly to a less than optimum staff situation with Robinson, but it does reflect on Robinson’s political savvy. Robinson is new enough to politics that he would be best served by a really politically savvy staff, something he seems to lack right now.
In making an endorsement, it is really necessary to get the lay of the land in that particular race, and not shoot from the hip.
Republicans want a governor with the policy and staffing savvy of a Jim Martin, not another dud like McCrory who was terrible in both policy and staffing. The two go together in running a successful administration. Personnel is policy. Would a Lt. Governor who endorses RINOs be likely to appoint RINOs to key policy positions? That is the concern. I really like Robinson and think he would be a great candidate, but I still need to be convinced he would also be a great governor. Tillis is not at all a consideration for any primary, but Dale Folwell may be. I do not think Folwell would be as strong a candidate as Robinson, but I know he understands policy and staffing and handles both very well. The jury is still out on those subjects with Robinson.
What I think would really help Robinson is to use some of the policy tools the Lt. Governor’s office has to address policy issues more. He has done a great job of that in one area, education, but he needs to tackle other issue areas as well. One is energy, and he is the statutory chairman of a state council on energy. With Cooper going crazy on green new deal issues, that council could allow Robinson to raises questions about the costs to ratepayers of Cooper’s wind and solar craze. It is things like that I will be watching.
Very understandable set of concerns. I see the same problem with Trump. He trusted a lot of the wrong people, but I trust him to resume the good work he was doing before the 2020 election was stolen from him, should he be restored to office. As with Trump, so with Robinson, someone needs to get close to him and give him better advice.
That is sound wisdom. I hope he sees it. What County?
Your source may be correct. It has long been thought that Tillis will run for governor in 2024. He would very much hate to run against a conservative Republican, particularly one with Robinson’s public appeal. The reality is that Tillis, Moore, and Berger will do anything within their power to keep as many conservatives out of North Carolina government as possible. (Don’t believe me? Look at the slate of candidates the House and Senate caucuses are supporting. Count the conservatives. I’ll wait.) They are totally aware of what could happen to them opposing Robinson. Ask Andy Wells and Carter Wrenn.
As much as I detest Tillis, I would 100% rather have him in the office than any Democrat. However, if I get a chance to vote for a conservative running against him, I will (and have). I don’t think Robinson is very strong in governance, but then again, look at what we’ve gotten electing “qualified” candidates.
And I forgot to mention, don’t be surprised if Tillis is running interference for Michael Whatley, who also wants to be governor or Senator. (There goes Tillis’ appointment if Tillis were to beat Stein, which he can’t.)
Whatever Tillis is up to, you can rest assured it is no good.
The real danger is a three way primary with Dale Folwell, Mark Robinson, and Tillis, couple with that obscene 30% threshold to avoid a primary that swamp creatures Berger and Moore gave us. Two conservatives and one RINO is not a good situation.
Tillis is not electable. I know too many conservatives who have held their noses for Thom Tillis for the very last time. If Tillis is on the November ballot for anything, they will just sit that race out.
Right after November8 th groundswell of those of us who are Anti-Tillis should just descend on Hillsborough Street to GOP HQ and say NO Tillis. My pick is Robinson, but Folwell is one heck of a Treasurer. Ideally let either Robinson or Folwell have an easy primary. Hopefully for the sake of the state they win then on 1-1-25 after the one gets sworn is as Gov. Then Tillis leaves his seat and the other gets appointed to the Senate. Not going to happen but it would be nice.
Dale Folwell is a dear friend of mine, and he would be a great Governor, but I hope he will decide to remain Treasurer and give Robinson a chance. If Dale runs against Robinson and Tillis, it will be too easy for Tillis to squeak by with the obscenely low requirement of only 30% that was established primarily for him. I will not vote for Tillis, even if it means Stein wins, the thought of which turns my stomach. Tillis must be stopped, PERIOD!!!. I will not vote for Stein, but I am absolutely done with Tillis.
More important if Robinson runs for Gov he will need a good Lt. Gov and if Robinson would treasure advice from Folwell during is term as Gov then LT. Gov is where Folwell could be the most useful making sure everything was stays on track while Robinson is busy being the face of the state. Nothing says that the Gov cannot delegate more to the Lt. Gov
I do not see any difference in voting for a democrat and voting for Tillis. Tillis and Burr have long ago ceased to represent the people of NC. They are turncoats of the first degree. Their consistency in voting with the Dems is also imitated by many of those whom we have elected to the US House of Representativest. In my opinion, Mr Robinson is not afraid to stand up for the good of his people. If you can cleanse the GOP of those who are there just there to be there, we might have a chance to recover our state (and Nation). If we do not soon rid ourselves of the “hanger-oners” there will not be a Nation anymore. Tillis is a hanger-owner. He manages to scrap by with marginal numbers, but is STILL going to be our senior Senator come January, 2023. We must look to
If 2020 is any indication with the previous LT GOV running against a Dem, Robinson should step aside IF he can validate his next move. Guy like Robinson would be fantastic to hold either the senate or house accountable when we take control next week. Don’t see how he wins the Governor’s mansion, I wished he would. But don’t see how he does at all. If Dan couldn’t, what makes you think Robinson could?
Lets look at the other options. Tillis has worn out his welcome with conservatives and party activists so bad that he is unelectable. Robinson would have a much better chance of actually winning than Tillis. Tillis would also make an awful governor, just like McCrory. The other major option is Dale Folwell who thoroughly understands policy and personnel, and has a good record on both as a committed conservative. He would make a first rate governor, but is probably a weaker candidate than Robinson because he is not as dynamic.
Lieutenant Dan got lulled into complaceny on using issues and throwing grenades at the opposition by two successive races where that was not necessary. In the governor’s race it was, and he failed to deliver like he should have.
A Tillis nomination would be a disaster and hand the governorship to the Democrats again. Robinson or Folwell could win it, but I would like to see Folwell more dynamic and Robinson display more of a strong handle on issues and personnel.