What They’re Reading: Robinson’s Online Activity Provokes Outrage, Concern Across North Carolina
Following breaking news report from CNN about Mark Robinson’s online activities, North Carolinians today woke up to calls from elected officials across the aisle for Robinson to drop out, demands for an explanation of Robinson’s history, and concern with Robinson’s impact on other Republican races, as well as the very future of the state.
See coverage below:
ON THE AIRWAVES:
WRAL:
NC Governor Roy Cooper: “Is there something special that happened? Every day could be a reason for him to have dropped out of the race. He is the wrong choice for North Carolina.”
CNN:
NC Treasurer Dale Folwell: “The Republican Party that I’ve observed in the last 50 years – that’s a party that’s based on conservatism, common sense, courtesy, humility, humanity, and ethics. And I have not observed in my time serving with Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson that he possesses any of those traits.”
WTTG:
“Although the state Republican party is standing behind Robinson, many members are looking to distance themselves as far as they possibly can.”
WJZY:
“Many Republicans had heard these details were going to be reported and have been pressuring him today to drop out.”
IN PRINT:
WECT: CNN report ties Lt. Gov. Robinson to past disturbing comments on porn message board
Scott Lassiter, the Republican nominee for the North Carolina Senate in southern Wake County, sent out a press release just after 2:30 p.m. calling for Robinson to suspend his campaign. “As a proud Republican, I stand for hard work, fiscal responsibility, and liberty. But no one should feel obligated to support a candidate solely due to party affiliation,” Lassiter stated, “Wrong is still wrong, and if the recent allegations against Robinson are true, combined with his previous public rhetoric, I believe it’s time for him to step aside. North Carolinians deserve a viable choice in this election.”
WCTI: Experts dissect fallout from CNN’s bombshell on Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson
Dr. Brandon Lenoir, a political science professor at High Point University, said this controversy could impact Robinson’s campaign. “It’s unlikely that this is not going to have an effect on the election,” Lenoir explained. He also mentioned that other Republican candidates who have endorsed Robinson may face pressure to either defend him or withdraw their support.
WHQR: North Carolina Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson vows to stay in race despite media report
Robinson has a history of inflammatory comments that Stein had said made him too extreme to lead North Carolina. They already had contributed to the prospect that campaign struggles for Robinson would hurt former President Donald Trump to win the battleground state’s 16 electoral votes, and potential other GOP down-ballot candidates.
WRAL: Mark Robinson staying in NC governor’s race, despite pressure following report of porn site comments
On Thursday morning, before the Robinson was published, Stein held a “Republicans for Stein” event featuring dozens of former GOP politicos, including elected officials, who said they were backing Stein over Robinson. “That’s a decent summation of where this race is headed,” Coleman said.
WRAL: Republicans seek distance from Robinson, focus on other races
Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, laid out several potential impacts of the Robinson news. Republicans could vote for other Republicans and Stein or simply skip the governor’s race altogether when filling out their ballots, scenarios that would be good for GOP candidates. Or the Robinson news could dampen overall enthusiasm among Republicans for voting altogether, leading to problems up and down the ballot for the GOP, a worst-case scenario for other Republican candidates.
ONLINE:
Statement from NRCC Chair Richard Hudson:
Statement from Senator Ted Budd:
Statement from NC House Representative Erin Pare:
