Gubernatorial Transition: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

by Jeanne Milliken Bonds

I like and respect many of Governor-Elect McCrory's transition team members, having known some for quite a while. And I like McCrory. But his transition press conference leaves me wondering.

First, policy:  There were some policy areas that seemed fuzzy. Now, I don't expect McCrory to come in loaded with solutions. Well, actually, I do. He has been running for four years. But on health care reform, he wasn't as sharp as I expected. I liked the idea of better customer service at DNR and DOT. Who doesn't? I can't wait to hear more. He promised to “instill in state government a culture of customer service,” and vowed to work with the Democrats and run an open administration. And, his team members are all signing an ethics pledge. Plus, he is looking for volunteers to help. All very good.

Second, there is a strange issue hanging over all of this: Elected officials are free to take the oath at any time after their term begins. The N.C. Constitution says the governor's term "shall commence on the first day of January next after their election and continue until their successors are elected and qualified." But we have a tradition. Usually, the oath and parade are timed to the Junior League of Raleigh's inauguration festivities. (Disclaimer: I am a member of the Junior League and have worked on a Ball. It takes some time to pull off a good one.) The calendar date for the ball is January 11.

I am a native North Carolinian and respect tradition in my state. Why is Bob Orr, a former N.C. Supreme Court justice and former Executive Director and Senior Counsel at the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law, a non profit funded by the Art Pope Foundation, suggesting a break with tradition with an earlier swearing-in? I like and respect Bob, but I want to hear a straightforward reason for the "rush to govern" so my mind doesn't create its own reasons. McCrory dodged the question. It all seems too "pushy" for North Carolina.

Third, the first photos of the transition team and the press conference have political contributor Art Pope and several others who worked at Pope-funded organizations:  I have great respect for Jack Hawke, a former president of the John W. Pope Civitas Institute and Transition director Thomas Stith is a former Civitas Institute vice president. I also have great respect for Former Representative Ed McMahan. All great guys who are smart.

Also in the photo is Lindsey Wakely, formerly with the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, and Art Pope himself as co-chair of the transition. Come on. That's a lot of Pope funded organizations' former staff in one photo.

Governor-Elect McCrory says he is solution-oriented and his record as Mayor is one of collaboration and cooperation. He is also widely seen as a business moderate. There are others on the transition team but many are concerned about SuperPac spending in this election and whether or not this Governor will be business moderate or social right in his approach, the presence of so many folks from Pope-related entities is an unnecessary distraction from the business of governing.

McCrory is saying all the right things about working with the Democrats and getting to work for the State, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

Jeanne Milliken Bonds is a Consultant, Political Analyst and Co-Owner, LiveWire Politics