Run Tom, Run
Published January 17, 2015
by Thomas Mills, Politics North Carolina, January 16, 2015.
Whenever a door closes, another opens. And today, the University of North Carolina’s loss could be the Democrats’ gain. They’ve been looking for a Senate candidate to take on Richard Burr and few people fit the bill as well as UNC President Tom Ross. He’s the got profile, connections and gravitas to make a great U.S. Senator.
Tom Ross has had a stellar career as a leader in North Carolina. Before he became president of the UNC system, he was president of Davidson College, one of the South’s premier private liberal arts colleges. Before that, he was executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in the state. He also served as director of the administrative office of the courts and as a superior court judge.
At a time when people are fed up with politics as usual, Ross brings the heft of a career in public service. He also brings a solid background in education and North Carolina is still an education state, regardless of how hard the Republicans have tried to change that. Ross would be a formidable candidate who would bring instant credibility even if he lacks name recognition among the general public.
Run, Tom, Run. North Carolina needs you now more than ever. If the UNC Board of Governors is dumb enough to give you up, we’ll take you. You’re not ready to quit and we’re not ready to lose you. Run, Tom, Run.
January 17, 2015 at 10:46 am
Norm Kelly says:
Mr. Mills, though I know him not, is obviously a lib. Gets his jabs in when he can, and makes a way whenever possible. Witness 'North Carolina is still an education state, regardless of how hard the Republicans have tried to change that'. No matter what changes the Legislature makes, if it doesn't reinforce the existing government monopoly establishment, it's automatically rejected by libs. Not what's best for kids & families, but what's best for the status quo.
But the other way we know Mr. Mills is a lib is his endorsement of Tom. I know not Tom either. Tom's entire adult life has been in 'public service'. It appears he has zero real-world experience. There are 2 types of people we have too much of in politics. Lawyers and career public service employees. No need to say anything about having too many lawyers. But career public service employees come to politics with the belief that government is the answer. Hiring government employees stimulates the economy, when all you know is government employment. These type of people end up saying goofy things like 'the private sector does not create jobs'. Is it possible that the socialist party can find a qualified individual, someone who is not a career 'public service' candidate? Someone who actually understands how the private sector works, how the US Constitution demands that decisions remain at the state level, and that private freedom, individual freedom is a central part of the document? Why is it the 'best' lib candidate has to be a government hack?
Love Tom as much as you want. Since I don't know him, or anything about him, I'm not biased because of anything he's done or anything he's said. I would oppose him when the election comes around for the simple reason that he's a career government employee. We have too many of those types messing things up now. Witness the unqualified, never-held-a-job, community organizer, socialist in chief. A firm believer in 'the private sector doesn't create jobs', unemployment payments stimulate the economy, and central planning is the best solution to every problem, perceived or real.
Run, Tom, Run. Cuz we want another term for Richard!
January 19, 2015 at 8:26 am
Frank Burns says:
A stellar leader would not have allowed college costs to skyrocket like they have under his term of office. Under the Democrats costs was never a concern and nobody has been examining why university costs have gone up so much beyond inflation. He can run if he wants to but I don't believe the taxpayers would be inclined to vote him the office of dogcatcher much less governor.
