Bill Cobey Resigns as Chairman of NCGOP. Will run for Governor

NC 14 News Live PC | July 21, 2003

[jern]

Press conference on Newschannel 14. Bill Cobey Resigns as Chairman of NCGOP. Will run for Governor.

[Constitution Day]

BTTT

[Constitution Day]

NC ping!
Please FRmail me if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[50sDad]

Dang! I thought you said "Bill Cosby"!

[Prospero]

Just six weeks after being elected chairman?

Someone's spreading the rumor that the White House asked Bill to run. It's NOT true. Rove's office has confirmed that.

In fact, Cobey is dearly beloved of many of the Wake County Big Trunk Swingers. He told them he was not running, over and over for many weeks.

They are mystifyed. Patrick Ballantine has gotten many of them to donate and support his campaign, which is far and away further along in fundraising than he had hoped. ($504,000 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period June 30.)

I'd say Cobey recruited his own self. It's a last hurrah.

[Charles Henrickson]

Cobey Resigns

Well, he ought to, after that thing with the girl in Colorado.

[Jumper]

NC Ping! Go GO-P, go Bill!

[jern]

I’d like to thank you all for coming today.

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I have been honored over the past four years to serve as Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.  The experience has been wonderful.  When you travel all over the state you get to meet so many different folks, people from all walks of life, and it just really makes you remember why we all love this state so much, and renews your confidence in America.  With the help of countless volunteers, generous contributors, outstanding candidates, dedicated fellow officers, and a highly capable staff, we have witnessed a resurgence in the Republican Party – and we are well on our way to becoming the majority Party in North Carolina.

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The great state of North Carolina has a proud past and we can have a very bright future.  But our future will only be bright if we make it bright, and doing that will require strong and capable leadership at the top of state government.  The truth is – we need a leadership change here in North Carolina, we need a new CEO.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>

This state is like no other place on earth.  I’m certain that other people in other states say things like that, but they can only say that if they have not lived here in North Carolina.  We are blessed with great natural beauty, but from the mountains to the coast – our greatest resource is our people.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>

North Carolinians are resourceful and caring people who deserve more and better job opportunities, outstanding schools, and roads that are second to none.  And they deserve a government that can live within its means, and can provide these things while reducing the tax burden on North Carolina families and businesses.  Anyone who does not think that is possible, shouldn’t run for Governor.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>

I am very optimistic about North Carolina’s potential.  While we certainly have our problems, they can be fixed.  To me the glass is half full.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>

Today, I am announcing that I would like to lead North Carolina into that bright future as your next governor.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>

Sometime in the fall I’ll have an official campaign kick-off, at a time when people are more inclined to pay attention to politics.  But let there be no question about it – I’m in this race, and I’m in it to win.  I’m applying for the job, and I’ll be asking the voters to hire me.

[jern]

Statement of Bill Cobey on Monday, July 21, 2003







I’d like to thank you all for coming today.



I have been honored over the past four years to serve as Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. The experience has been wonderful. When you travel all over the state you get to meet so many different folks, people from all walks of life, and it just really makes you remember why we all love this state so much, and renews your confidence in America. With the help of countless volunteers, generous contributors, outstanding candidates, dedicated fellow officers, and a highly capable staff, we have witnessed a resurgence in the Republican Party – and we are well on our way to becoming the majority Party in North Carolina.



The great state of North Carolina has a proud past and we can have a very bright future. But our future will only be bright if we make it bright, and doing that will require strong and capable leadership at the top of state government. The truth is – we need a leadership change here in North Carolina, we need a new CEO.



This state is like no other place on earth. I’m certain that other people in other states say things like that, but they can only say that if they have not lived here in North Carolina. We are blessed with great natural beauty, but from the mountains to the coast – our greatest resource is our people.



North Carolinians are resourceful and caring people who deserve more and better job opportunities, outstanding schools, and roads that are second to none. And they deserve a government that can live within its means, and can provide these things while reducing the tax burden on North Carolina families and businesses. Anyone who does not think that is possible, shouldn’t run for Governor.



I am very optimistic about North Carolina’s potential. While we certainly have our problems, they can be fixed. To me the glass is half full.



Today, I am announcing that I would like to lead North Carolina into that bright future as your next governor.



Sometime in the fall I’ll have an official campaign kick-off, at a time when people are more inclined to pay attention to politics. But let there be no question about it – I’m in this race, and I’m in it to win. I’m applying for the job, and I’ll be asking the voters to hire me.

[tiamat]

50sDad wrote:

Dang! I thought you said "Bill Cosby"!

*************************************

LOL! I thought the exact same thing!

Tia

[mykdsmom]

Very weird, Ballantine must be pi$$ed.

MKM

[Constitution Day]

State GOP Head Bill Cobey To Run For Gubernatorial Nomination
Cobey Throws Hat Into Political Ring

POSTED: 3:19 p.m. EDT July 21, 2003
UPDATED: 3:37 p.m. EDT July 21, 2003

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Bill Cobey, the chairman of the state Republican Party, announced Monday in Raleigh he is seeking the party's backing in a run for governor.

Cobey, a former congressman and athletics director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was just elected in May to a new two-year term to run the state GOP.

Four Republicans have already announced their plans to run for their party's nomination next year. They are state Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine of Wilmington, former Charlotte mayor Richard Vinroot, Davie County commissioner Dan Barrett and Southern Pines businessman George Little.

The lineup is sure to be a part of discussions when state Republican Party's executive committee meets in Greensboro on Saturday.

http://www.wral.com/news/2347411/detail.html

[JohnnyZ]

Now we have an interesting primary. I think the "Washington asked Cobey to run" rumor was pretty silly given that Washington already asked him to run for reelection as party chair.

Got to hear Ferrell Blount give a presentation on fund-raising Saturday at our local "how to be a county/precinct chair" meeting. He's got quite an accent.

[Constitution Day]

Interesting indeed! I can't wait.

The only time I have ever seen Mr. Blount in person is at a Richard Burr event in Greenville.

Yeah, he has a bit of an accent, but that is fine with me.
I've got one too, and it's heavier if I'm around certain family members.

[Valin]

Me to!

[Prospero]

No, Patrick isn't upset about it. He was a bit surprised, after Congressman Cobey told his closest and dearest he would not run. Their support for Patrick remains solid.

Patrick is a great sport. And he is energized by competition. If Cobey got the nomination, it's never to late to lose again.

[mykdsmom]

Well I like Ballantine.....he definately has my vote. It was SO great of him to show up at our Rally For America in March.

MKM

[TaxRelief]

He'll fit right in, down there in Ol' Raleigh-town.

[fieldmarshaldj]

NC Gov's race *ping*

Why is Cobey running ? Just damn.

[Pure Country]

That makes three of us!