Dec 03 2008
Will McHenry Seek a Promotion?
According to the N&O, Rep. McHenry might be looking around for a bigger office. It ran this exceprt from the Lenoir News-Topic that appeared over the weekend:
With McHenry having likely faced his last credible challenges, either from GOP or Democratic circles, speculation has begun about his political future. Those close to McHenry privately say that a run for North Carolina governor in 2012 is one possibility, though a challenge to Senator-elect Kay Hagan in 2014 could be a more likely scenario.
The same senior aides, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, note that a gubernatorial run may hinge on whether Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory opts for a rematch against Bev Perdue. In their estimation, McHenry’s relative youth and previous electoral success have positioned him as a leading voice as the state GOP charts its political future.
A corrupt, closet-gay, GOP Governor or Senator? Hardly. Besides that, only Reps who are actually EMPLOYABLE outside of government risk losing the only job they have to run for another office.
The notion that he has seen his last credible GOP challenge in NC-10 is most definitely incorrect. In fact, he is probably about to see his FIRST credible challenge.
If he survives May 2010, he will surely be thrown under the bus by his own party during redistricting.
And yes, generally McHenry votes as a conservative should, but when it came to protecting his friends in the banking business, he publicly advocated in favor of subprime mortgages in the Charlotte Observer, and voted against his district to allow credit unions to change into banks.
Being a conservative is not enough if you are a hypocrite and a crook. McHenry needs to get a real job.