Bad Start, Pat

Yesterday I wrote nice things about Governor-elect McCrory. But his entrance onto the Raleigh stage this week wasn’t a good one.
 
Look at it this way: McCrory has a strong brand in North Carolina right now. He just won big. He gets the benefit of the winner’s glow. He should milk that political capital.
 
Instead, he squandered it by announcing a transition that that can only hurt his brand.
 
Exhibit A: the media immediately focused on whether Art Pope & Co. will run McCrory’s administration.
 
Exhibit B: The only Democrat was Joe Mavretic, who is anathema to Democrats.
 
Exhibit C: Jim Gardner. Really?
 
Exhibit D: A striking lack of diversity.
 
Exhibit E: McCrory’s old boss from Duke (reportedly the top candidate for Commerce Secretary). Duke is the most unpopular company in Raleigh today.
 
Everybody on the stage yesterday has friends and enemies. Today their enemies are mad at McCrory. And many of their “friends” are jealous and afraid of losing out in the battle for jobs, power and access begins.
 
Remember: transitions are when you stop fighting your enemies and start fighting your friends.
 
McCrory kick-started the infighting yesterday, and it will only hurt him.
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Gary Pearce

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Bad Start, Pat

Yesterday I wrote nice things about Governor-elect McCrory. But his entrance onto the Raleigh stage this week wasn’t a good one.
 
Look at it this way: McCrory has a strong brand in North Carolina right now. He just won big. He gets the benefit of the winner’s glow. He should milk that political capital.
 
Instead, he squandered it by announcing a transition that that can only hurt his brand.
 
Exhibit A: the media immediately focused on whether Art Pope & Co. will run McCrory’s administration.
 
Exhibit B: The only Democrat was Joe Mavretic, who is anathema to Democrats.
 
Exhibit C: Jim Gardner. Really?
 
Exhibit D: A striking lack of diversity.
 
Exhibit E: McCrory’s old boss from Duke (reportedly the top candidate for Commerce Secretary). Duke is the most unpopular company in Raleigh today.
 
Everybody on the stage yesterday has friends and enemies. Today their enemies are mad at McCrory. And many of their “friends” are jealous and afraid of losing out in the battle for jobs, power and access begins.
 
Remember: transitions are when you stop fighting your enemies and start fighting your friends.
 
McCrory kick-started the infighting yesterday, and it will only hurt him.
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Gary Pearce

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