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The Party Line is dedicated to examining regional issues and policies through the figures who give shape to them. These are critical, complex, and even downright confusing times we live in. There’s a lot to navigate nationally and in the Carolinas; whether it’s elections, debates on gay marriage, public school closings, or tax incentives for economic development. The Party Line’s goal is to offer a provocative, intelligent look at the issues and players behind the action; a view that ultimately offers the necessary insight for Carolina voters to hold public servants more accountable.

An Endorsement Pat McCrory Doesn’t Want

WFAE | By Tom Bullock

Published October 28, 2016 at 12:10 PM EDT

Politicians love to brag about their endorsements. Those statements of support from other candidates, police or labor unions, newspapers, whatever.

On Friday, October 28^th, Republican Governor Pat McCrory received an endorsement from a newspaper which, at first blush, sounds great for him. The endorsement starts with this question, “Which candidate would do the most to help our local economy?”

The answer, the editorial continues, is easy. “It’s Pat McCrory, the Republican governor of North Carolina, who’s seeking his second four-year term in the November election. We can point to specific and multiple ways he has helped the economy — our economy.”

So what’s the problem here? The source.

This endorsement is from The Roanoke Times in, yes, Roanoke, Virginia.

It goes on to note how House Bill 2 has caused various companies and sports events to bail on North Carolina and head to Virginia. Of note to the paper is “The NCAA Division III men’s and women’s soccer championship and the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship,” which were to be played in North Carolina but are now being held in Salem, VA.

The endorsement ends with these seven words, “That’s money in the bank for us.”