North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) is the establishment favorite to face incumbent Pat McCrory (R) in the 2016 gubernatorial election. Cooper’s coronation robes are already catching a chill from the NAACP following his decision to let a Charlotte officer walk after the officer shot an unarmed black man ten times. Cooper dismissed the case after the jury deadlocked.
Roy Cooper already had problems, but he just stepped in it hard.
Attorney General Roy Cooper is facing a barrage of criticism on social media for saying he wants to “pause” Syrian refugees coming to North Carolina.
Cooper, a Democrat who’s running against Gov. Pat McCrory, is largely backing the governor’s stance on the issue. McCrory has repeatedly called on President Barack Obama this week to stop sending Syrians to North Carolina in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
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Have NC Democrats learned nothing? Would we even be in our current position as a legislative super-minority if our last D candidate for governor, Kay Hagan, hadn't run from President Obama and the progressive base?
Roy Cooper didn't just disregard President Obama and cooler Democratic heads. He offered a metaphorical fist bump to his opponent.
“As chief law enforcement officer of North Carolina, I support asking the federal government to pause refugee entries to make sure we have the most effective screening process possible so our humanitarian efforts are not hijacked,” Cooper said Wednesday. “At the same time, we must not let political fear-mongering on this issue divert our attention and resources from stopping terrorists who may already be here or who are trying to get into our country in other ways.”
Pause. Yes, let's just hit pause on millions of suffering people because humanitarian hijacking. Pat McCrory approves this message. Needless to say, Democrats don't.
Roy Cooper’s Facebook page reflects the backlash. From the comments:
Allow me to 'pause' my support of your campaign as well. North Carolina needs a progressive visionary, not a weak-backed panderer.
Roy I want to be with you but there is no pause in Russian, Iranian, and Isis attacks on civilians so there can be no pause in the humanitarian response.
On my list of things to do tonight, was to sit down and finally donate to your campaign. But after you echoed the same xenophobic mentality of McCrory in stirring up hate against Syrian refugees, I am glad I waited. I will not support your campaign, and will not donate one dime. Shame on you.
Add my name to the list of people who think you haven't got the guts God gave linoleum. Madeline Albright, of all people, says acceptance of refugees should be neither stopped nor paused. Step up, man up, and show some leadership. If the choice is you or McCrory again, I'll vote for you anyway, but a lot of Democrats will stay home if you don't lead -- quite possibly enough to cost you the election.
Cooper’s primary opponent, Ken Spaulding, responded in a statement:
“The vetting and security measures taken by our federal government usually take 18 to 24 months or more before a person is allowed to settle in our country as a refugee. This coupled with proper and effective state enforcement of our laws does provide a sound basis for our citizens’ protection and security.
“So no, I do not agree with Gov. Pat McCrory’s and Attorney General Roy Cooper’s call for a ‘pause,’ which is based on political popularity and not the facts. A year and a half to two full years with the current ongoing federal comprehensive vetting is already taking place.”
My support is behind Ken Spaulding in the primary. My sentiments are with the last commenter. Want to win, NC Democrats? Try acting like Democrats. Try leading.