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July 22, 2004
A Remarkable Gesture
As of today, I have learned a lesson in what it means to be a gentleman. Richard Vinroot, the former Mayor of Charlotte, stepped aside in the Republican nomination for Governor, allowing Patrick Ballentine to focus on Governor Mike Easley. Mr. Vinroot has served North Carolina well over the years, but he will be remembered for this noble gesture. Even if he is not “your kind of Republican”, respect is in order for the man and his decision.
In my experiences in political life and public service, I have spent time with both of these admirable men. Vinroot was a collegiate basketball player and the former mayor of Charlotte. He is an exceptionally tall gentleman, but today his stature is a little more impressive. Mayor Vinroot could of called for a runoff election. This would of drug out the primary process for another month allowing Governor Easley to raise more money and better organize his campaign. It would of also cost the taxpayers of North Carolina over one million dollars to staff the election and print the ballots. But he decided, "I believe the right choice, the right thing to do is to get our party behind the person who won the most votes Tuesday night as soon as possible."
Patrick is a young lawyer with a beautiful wife, Lisa and a precious daughter, Wilker. He has served as a North Carolina State Senator for the last ten years and as Minority Leader in the Senate for the last five years. This was his first statewide race and the results are impressive. I was able to attend a gathering (a $100 per couple gathering) at Representative Leo Daughtry’s house a couple months ago with my good friend Pamela Johnson and Alvin Phillips and his beautiful fiancée (commonly referred to online as “she who shall remain nameless”). I was struck at how positive and issue oriented Patrick was in his remarks. It was evident then, that he had decided to run a positive, issue oriented campaign, and the results are loud and clear across the great state of North Carolina. Patrick Ballentine was quoted as saying, "I told him off the top of my head I can't think of anyone who has made a decision like this, maybe except for George Washington, the father of our country, who really could have been king, who stepped down from power for the good of the country."
Congratulations to two great public servants, and may they both enjoy many more years of service to The Old North State.
Posted by hlperson at July 22, 2004 11:02 PM
Comments
If I remember right, this was Mr Vinroot's second "go around" at Governor. Rather than a desperate grasp to continue his campaign, Mr Vinroot stepped aside in order to allow the Republican party a cohesive stand against incumbent Mike Easley. By doing so, he's shown that he's anything but desperate... and is worthy of the public trust should he ever decide to run for office in the future.
Posted by: Jon Hunter at August 3, 2004 08:39 PM