Pat McCrory had the worst week in NC politics, due to two events: one, a coordinated effort by the Democrats to depict McCrory and his party as tax raisers, and second, the release of a poll that found his approval rating has dipped to 36%, the lowest it’s been in over a year.
For decades, being in favor of low taxes was central to the GOP’s identity. It’s so important that Democrats routinely mock the Republicans’ economic plan as simply “more tax cuts.” Being the party of low taxes has helped keep many suburban moderates in the party’s fold when culturally they’re more in tune with the Democrats.
Now, the NC Dems are betting the tax reform undertaken by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. McCrory can be spun as a tax increase for middle-class families. The message: Republicans, aided by the governor, raised taxes for the middle class so that the rich could save. It’s a potent line of attack – if the public believes it.
Even within their own party, Republicans are under fire for raising the gas tax and taking out a number of deductions. That’s partly why Rep. David Lewis took to Twitter yesterday to discuss the matter and to “clear the air”. The GOP is going to have to fight the perception of higher taxes, whether it’s based in reality or not, or risk losing the message war, which could have very real repercussions for the governor’s reelection and the maintenance of the GOP’s legislative supermajorities.
Next is the PPP poll, which we reported on yesterday. The polls have always been all over the place when it comes to McCrory’s approval, with PPP typically showing him doing worse than pollsters Elon (who find voters split on his performance) and High Point (which has found his net approval in positive territory). We’re going to need more surveys out there to confirm if the governor has really seen a dip in his ratings. The race against Roy Cooper looks to be a close one, with McCrory leading 44/41. But that’s more a function of Cooper’s being unknown than anything else. If McCrory goes before the voters with his current numbers, he probably loses.
Governor McCrory, for enduring relentless attacks from the Democrats and from in your own party about the nature of the 2013 tax reform, and for a new poll finding your approval the lowest it’s been in over a year, you had the Worst Week in Raleigh. Congrats, or something.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
Sorry to have to set the record straight, but NC income taxes rates were reduced for all taxpayers and the substantial increase in the standard deduction provided even more tax relief for low and middle income families. Beginning next year, medical deductions will be allowed again for those who itemize deductions.
Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs have increased everywhere nationally as a result of Obamacare. Only those few who are receiving federally-subsidized health insurance are benefitting, and not much due to increased copays and deductibles.
I am a middle class tax payer in NC and my tax rates went down but my tax payment went UP. The General Assembly eliminated the tax deduction for retirees and I had to borrow $977 from the bank to pay for my lowered tax rates. This was the first time I’ve ever had to pay additional state taxes (above what I have withheld) since we moved to NC 12 years ago. I can’t afford any more tax decreases.
Republicans increased taxes on lower income working families and small businesses. “Branding” that successfully as tax “cuts” will require math illiteracy to become much more widespread. They obviously expect the voters are stupid.
Keith, you say “they obviously expect the voters are stupid.” Duh. Have you met the members of the NC General Assembly? NC voters ELECTED these people. NC Voters ARE stupid.
I read it first that the gas tax was raised.
As long as gas prices decline or stay low, the driving public won’t notice any small increase in the gas tax. In the meantime, the state’s transportation fund will be solvent and Democrats will have a difficult time making infrastructure spending a political issue.
If gas prices were to surge again to well over three dollars a gallon, we can expect a Republican-controlled NCGA to reduce the state gas tax.
“It’s so important that Democrats routinely mock the Republicans’ economic plan as simply “more tax cuts.” ”
That’s not just their economic plan, it is their plan for everything.
How do we solve the middle-east crisis? Tax cuts!
What do we do about childhood obesity? Tax cuts!
Can we eradicate ebola? Yes, with tax cuts!
Improve education? Tax cuts!
How do we get Putin and Russia out of Urkraine? Tax cuts!
Have a hangnail? Here, have a tax cut!
Weak governor, can’t handle the GA. If he had won in 2008 and worked with Democrats at that time…maybe different story, but now hopeless unless he grows a huge pair and challenges their crazy agenda. He has lost all trust with Democrats, Independents and probably a lot of Republicans. I will go ahead and predict one and done.
Is that Beau or Moe pictured there with Pat? Guess he took Harry Truman’s advice to the state level.
I’m sorry..not sure what this photos means. No wonder Phil Berger eats his lunch every day.