May 10 2008
McCrory Hits Perdue on Immigration But Is It Fair?
RALEIGH — Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory, in his first attack of the general election, slammed his Democratic rival Friday for supporting a policy that allows illegal immigrants to attend the state’s community colleges.
But Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue shares McCrory’s opinion.
Perdue has made it clear that she opposes a community college policy — supported by Gov. Mike Easley — that orders all 58 campuses to admit illegal immigrants who are 18 years old and high school graduates.
“I think the policy is ill-conceived for North Carolina, although I’m very respectful of it,” Perdue said in April.
It would seem that the claim is a stretch, however the McCrory campaign has a response to this.
When asked Friday about the discrepancy, McCrory’s political strategist, Jack Hawke, said Perdue had failed to take action as president pro tem of the Senate or a community college board member to reverse the policy.
“If she took a stand today, it’s a stand that appears to be in conflict with all of the actions she’s taken up until this point,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor has little power to really do anything other than break ties in the Senate so I don’t think Perdue can honestly be criticized for taking no action in that capacity. However, it is fair to point out a lack of action on her behalf as a member of the state community college board. All and all, I think the McCrory campaign could better spend their money on policy differences that aren’t a bait and switch. I don’t think this one will have much legs.