How Do N.C. Republicans View Democrats' 2012 Charlotte Convention?

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- It was no surprise that elected officials here would write a letter of welcome to the Democratic National Committee while anticipating the millions of dollars expected to follow the delegates, media and assorted visitors when the party's 2012 convention comes to town.

We "extend our greetings and heartfelt thanks" to the committee, said the letter from the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, read loud and clear at last week's meeting. It went on to extol the "Southern traditions and hospitality" of Charlotte's "vibrant, diverse community."

But while the message was routine, the messenger -- none other than GOP Commissioner Bill James – was a surprise. James is known for expressing far more critical sentiments about Charlotte's diversity, most recently in December when he disapproved of a letter that commission chair, Democrat Jennifer Roberts, wanted to send to Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina thanking him for backing repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Other commissioners questioned whether a letter should be sent on behalf of the entire board. However, James went further labeling homosexuals "sexual predators" and vowing he could no longer support the Republican Burr.

Considering their recent tussle, there was more than a little political gamesmanship in Roberts' suggestion that James read the lovely letter to the DNC. And James got his own digs in, saying in asides, "who wrote this?" and "as long as it didn't cost any money."

Approval laced with skepticism also seems to be the pattern as state Republicans react to the Democrats' big news.

The effort to bring the convention to Charlotte enlisted the backing of some prominent GOP names, including former Mayor Richard Vinroot of Charlotte and former Gov. James Martin. During the convention competition, they wrote in an opinion piece in the Charlotte Observer: "We are proud Republicans. But we are also proud advocates of Charlotte and North Carolina, and believe that bringing the 2012 Democratic National Convention to Charlotte represents an unprecedented economic development opportunity for our city, our region and our state. Some issues are partisan. This one is not."

For them, it was all about business, but neither man is running for office. While the Democrats' pick of Charlotte signals the party intends to run competitively in the South, state Republicans are showing they relish the fight.

Last week, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes – who lost his U.S. House seat to Blue Dog Democrat Larry Kissell in 2008 -- said: "We look forward to Charlotte being in the spotlight in 2012, but North Carolinians will not be fooled again by empty promises of 'Hope' and 'Change.'" His statement went on to say: "We welcome the Democrats to Charlotte, but they must answer for their misguided policies that have led to more debt, more spending and more government."

Republican Pat McCrory, who after a popular 14-year run as Charlotte mayor was narrowly defeated in his 2008 gubernatorial contest, wondered if city and state taxpayers are going to be hit with any of the costs associated with putting on a convention.

McCrory, remember, was particularly stung that in 2008 he ran behind his opponent Bev Perdue in his own Charlotte-Mecklenburg. (The night before the 2008 election, candidate Obama made a last stop at an emotional rally at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, "the campus I supported," McCrory ruefully told me as he prepared to leave the mayor's office.) He will probably seek a rematch against an opponent who, along with her party's top-of-the-ticket national leader, now may be more vulnerable.

The issue of financing – how the money is raised and who pays for what – is one that will be closely watched, particularly after the Democrats announced that, what they have dubbed the "People's Convention," will be paid for without donations from corporations or political action committees.

Andy Dulin, one of just three Republicans on the 11-member Charlotte City Council, told me on Friday, "From the day we made the short list, I thought 'This is a business deal.'" Would he have liked to have had the Republicans coming? "Sure." But he said that the Republicans on the council are able to see the benefits and get past the partisanship.

"I'll be happy to see them come – and go – safely," he said of the Democrats. Dulin said that despite their political disagreements, he is friendly with Mayor Anthony Foxx, a prime driver in the effort to bring the Democrats to Charlotte and someone whose state and national profile will only grow.

Dulin had several initial concerns, including community safety and the use of city tax dollars. But he said he was satisfied that all the contracts are between the DNC and the host committee, which will be raising money in the private sector, and that the city won't be "on the hook."

Another of Dulin's worries, one he said has been allayed, is that increased union participation in the convention would take jobs from the local labor force since North Carolina is a right-to-work state and has the lowest-in-the-country percentage of worker union participation.

The issue, however, is one that lingers between the Democratic Party and one of its most loyal constituencies.

Unions are one of the Democrats' most loyal constituencies and while the largest ones in the state supported the Charlotte pick, other state and national union leaders believed the choice signaled a weakening in the party's pro-union stand.

Mayor Foxx has said the host committee will reach out to unions, but on this point, Democratic headaches will likely come not from Republican foes but Democratic friends.

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