Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2003 Candidate Cobey Former N.C. Republican chair recruits himself to run State Republican Chairman Bill Cobey's decision to resign his post Monday to run for the GOP nomination for governor next year was a telling moment in his party's hopes of taking over the top post in North Carolina government. It reflects what some rank-and-file Republicans have been thinking about for months: The party has a good chance of making major gains in the 2004 elections, but it needs a strong candidate to challenge Democratic Gov. Mike Easley. Mr. Cobey's decision to resign and run,...