McCrory's ratings are down but likely irrelevant

Editorial by Fayetteville Observer, September 18, 2013.

The honeymoon was short. The fall from public favor was fast. Pat McCrory started the year as a popular new governor. He was elected with 55 percent of the vote and pollsters found approval ratings to match.

But there was a brawl or two at the wedding reception and things went downhill from there. Today, polls show his approval rating down to 35 percent and possibly still falling. Worse, 53 percent - nearly his victory total - disapprove of his performance.

What happened? It appears the new governor made some freshman errors of his own, but it also looks as if the public is blaming him for decisions made in the General Assembly. State lawmakers, especially in the Senate, are running well to the moderate governor's right.

At least we think he's still a moderate. He was during his years as Charlotte mayor. His gubernatorial campaign emphasized his ability to work in a cooperative, bipartisan way.

Given Republicans' dominance of the executive and legislative branches, there's little reason now for bipartisanship, although we have seen some examples of it, at least on the local issues that the state oversees.

McCrory has had stumbles of his own. Some were simply political clumsiness, like bringing protesters a plate of cookies. But other moves brought outrage, like the continuing story of lavish pay and raises for appointed executives at the Department of Health and Human Services. Some of the people getting big bucks are just two years out of college and their only clear qualification for the job is loyal service on the governor's campaign staff.

The governor also made enemies when he enthusiastically supported sharp cuts in state unemployment benefits and our exit from the federal long-term unemployment program while the state's jobless rate was still high and new jobs were scarce.

But missteps in the first year of a four-year term aren't likely to mean much next year, let alone in the 2016 election. McCrory's popularity has plunged, but if the state's economy finally comes back to life in the next year or two, his numbers could soar yet again - especially if he can point to a connection between prosperity and his government reforms.

Legislators may have some reason to fear voter backlash next year, but McCrory will be a spectator, taking careful notes about the voters' mood. He might even get to resume his honeymoon before this term is done.