Sam Brody & Hunter Woodall are reporting that many in the NCGOP are worried about how Senator Richard Burr’s scandal could hurt Senator Thom Tillis in November…
Tillis’ future in the Senate may come down to his ability to walk a tightrope between placating his GOP base and pleasing a growing bloc of North Carolina swing voters. It’s a balancing act that he’s faced for years, but the Burr drama now boils it down to its essence: while Tillis has to be careful not to close ranks behind Burr so as to not alienate voters who have soured on him, he risks alienating conservatives if he goes after Burr too aggressively.
The Daily Beast
The Daily Beast got a few quotes from leaders in the NCGOP like the Chairman of the Iredell County Republican party
“It don’t matter which party you are, but anytime somebody is being under investigation it is going to fallout with everybody that they’re associated with,” said Ron Wyatt, the chairman of the Iredell County Republican Party. “We’ve got two senators in North Carolina, so if one is being investigated, rightfully or wrongfully, then it is absolutely going to draw extra criticism and scrutiny on that other person that’s in the same party, running for the equal position.”
Brody & Woodall also report, what many of us in North Carolina already know, that Tillis was already on shaky ground with Trumpkins in North Carolina for not being sufficiently Trumpy enough. There is no doubt that the small tightrope Tillis has to walk has gotten smaller. But it is not as small as some think. Burr has never been a Trump guy. Sure, Burr had to play the game in 2016 but very few Trump supporters saw Burr as a true ally. Things have only gotten worse as Burr’s intel committee has confirmed Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. Therefore, Tillis can comfortably call out Burr, if he needs too, without angering the Trump GOP base. Tillis also won’t lose the establishment Republicans or swing voters who have soured on Burr because of this scandal.
2020 is undoubtedly going to be a tough year for Republicans all over the country, but especially in North Carolina. Tillis is one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents and will face one of the toughest races in the country. Trump’s popularity, the economy, and/or a possible blue wave are all going to decide Tillis’ fate. Good or bad, Tillis prospects in November have very little to do with Richard Burr.
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