“...I am convinced that unless Jesse had campaigned for Reagan and turned the tide in the North Carolina primary in 1976, Reagan would never have been nominated in 1980, much less elected....”
Yep Sir...Tom Ellis and Carter Wrenn were two smart cookies that ran the campaign side of Helms’ organization back in those days. That ‘84 campaign was the most expensive and dirtiest senate race ever and still is if adjusted for inflation even over big states like California.
When a two-term incumbent governor faces off against a two-term incumbent senator the gov has the big advantage due to all the patronage he controls. Thank God Helms held up under that gruelling schedule and Reagan lead the ticket so strongly. Helms did a super job in those ‘84 debates against the younger sharpie (by reputation) Gov. Hunt.
I remember all three debates between Jesse and Hunt. Jesse was a bit tentative in the first, but nailed Hunt in the second and destroyed Hunt in the third. Hunt lost it when Jesse asked him what war he served in. Hunt replied “Are you questioning my patriotism?” It was amusing to see the alleged hip and new democrat self destruct.