McCrory: (small) change agent

I've just about given up on the practice of pointing out hypocrisy. It lies too much (pun intended) at the heart and soul of modern politics. Still, when a guy talks about wanting the change the culture out of one side of his mouth, while grippin' and grinnin' to suck in special interest money on the other side, well, it's hard to ignore. This from a Perdue campaign email:

“Pat McCrory says he wants to change the political culture, but he’s bringing George Bush’s special interests and failed policies to North Carolina. And he’s doing it with open arms,” said Perdue spokesman Tim Crowley. And here’s what McCrory and his hometown paper have said:

Despite the questionable fundraising tactics employed by the RGA NC 2008 PAC, Pat McCrory “is welcoming the association's help.” [Charlotte Observer, 7/24/08]

“This concept where the Observer keeps doing headlines, ‘McCrory takes PAC money’ as though it’s something illegal, I accept PAC funds, because it’s not only legal, I think it’s a good thing.” [WDYT 1220 AM (Charlotte), McCrory interview, 8/5/08]

Charlotte Observer editorial: McCrory’s “fundraising letter looks more like it's part of the discredited ‘pay to play’ system than the pitch of a reformer…It's business as usual. [Charlotte Observer editorial, 8/2/08]

“Campaign manager Richard Hudson noted that lobbyists still advise PACs, and nothing in the law prevents contacting lobbyists. ‘Those are the folks who typically make the decision about where the money's going to go,’ Hudson said. ‘My understanding is that's normal procedure.’” [Charlotte Observer, 7/29/08]

Mr. Pat hasn't a snowball's chance in hell without special interest money, so he's sold his promise of changing the culture to the highest bidder. As the Charlotte Observer says, business as usual.