Gov. Pat McCrory's office lit in to the Human Rights Campaign ("more powerful than the NRA") this afternoon, reporting it didn't turn in as many petitions opposing HB 2 as it claimed, and that most of the signatures were from out-of-state.
I haven't seen the petitions and don't know who's right about them. But the governor's office continues to miss the point. It is not the victim of a "national smear campaign."
A new poll out today from Public Policy Polling finds that 54 percent of North Carolina respondents believe HB 2 is having a negative effect on North Carolina's economy, while only 11 percent think it's having a positive effect.
Majorities also think HB 2 has hurt the state's image and hurt North Carolina all the way around. Fewer even think it's made the state safer than think it hasn't.
The governor's narrative just isn't believable to most North Carolinians. A majority can see the negative impact this legislation has had, and it likely will become more obvious over time.
Even many conservatives, including Donald Trump and Charles Krauthammer, can't understand what's driving this ill-considered legislation.
I hate to think the governor takes any satisfaction in showing the HRC overcounted some petitions when North Carolina is losing tens of millions of dollars in business as a direct result of his actions.
He has lost the argument, and we'll all lose more than that if HB 2 isn't repealed soon.
