Charlotte Business Journal Notes Art Pope’s Ability to Work With Democrats

Art Pope’s ability to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats gets highlighted in this story from The Charlotte Business Journal (subscription required):

On the atypically warm January day Pat McCrory became North Carolina’s 74th governor, and its first Republican in that office in 20 years, one of his predecessors smiled when asked about McCrory’s newly appointed state budget director, 56-year-old Art Pope.

“Art Pope is a very bright guy,” said Mike Easley, a Democrat and former two-term governor who understands political controversy as well as anyone in North Carolina. (Easley had his law license suspended and pleaded guilty to one felony count of campaign-finance violations after leaving office.) “He understands the budget. And people should not judge what they think he’s going to do until after he does it. I’ve got confidence in his ability. And once he sees the challenges, he’ll find a way to meet them.”

Later in the piece, the CBJ explores characterizations of Art as “a Machiavellian mastermind” in politics, accusations that those close to Art are quick to dismiss:

“I call it the Pope Derangement Syndrome,” said John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation. Hood said the notion of Pope as a lightning rod makes little sense because most people have no idea who he is. “Most Democrats laugh at this stuff. You’re hearing from a few left-wing politicians and commentators.”

Some Democrats, including Easley and Dennis Wicker, the former lieutenant governor who defeated Pope in the race for that office in 1992, agree.

“People have got to understand he has been involved as an elected official, but when he was out (of office), it was on the level you’re supposed to be,” Easley said. “He tries to elect candidates, he tries to raise money, he tries to get votes out. The same things that make democracy great. So what’s all the criticism about? Let’s see how he serves. He’ll do well.”

Added Wicker: “Art is very passionate on policy issues. My feeling is that Democrats need to come up with competing policies and new ideas. So I don’t think criticizing him is appropriate unless you have a competing idea or competing policy.”