McCrory should reclaim his record as moderate

There is no clearer evidence of the polarization of North Carolina politics than the ongoing Moral Monday protests at the General Assembly, which represent an extreme leftist reaction to an extreme legislative agenda on the right.

Gov. Pat McCrory might not be the most popular public figure in some circles, but he should use his central executive position to take a lead in guiding debate toward the center of the political spectrum.

And we believe he is fully capable of doing so. The Daily Tar Heel editorial board endorsed Pat McCrory for governor last year because of his record as a moderate willing to compromise.

He has not struck a moderate path so far, but it’s not too late for him to live up to this promise. He should be unafraid to distance himself from polarizing rhetoric and reprimand extremist politics. This would allow him to approach conflicts from a more moderate political position.

McCrory has already spoken strongly against the protests, mostly by echoing comments made by fellow state Republicans.

He called them unlawful and blamed them on outside agitators from other states. He emphasized solidarity with other Republican leaders in stern opposition to the protests.

But he has also shown he can be reasonable and independent from the GOP in his recent resistance to certain General Assembly initiatives and budget considerations.

McCrory openly disagreed with the way the General Assembly neglected pre-K and mental health services in its budget proposals.

In his own budget proposal, he supported the UNC-system strategic plan and compensation for victims of the state’s former eugenics program — issues other legislators ignored.

But McCrory still needs to distance himself further from the radical right, and he should at least be sympathetic to protestors’ basic concerns.

Only then can he attempt to bridge the partisan divide that precludes negotiation between the two bitterly opposed sides.

Some protestors hand out bumper stickers that say, “NOT A REPUBLICAN.” N.C. Sen. Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover) publicly labeled protestors “hippies” and “the loony left.”

This kind of antagonism assumes no common ground and prevents civil debate. But if McCrory fully asserts himself as an independent, authoritative executive, there is at least hope for some compromise.

If the state government can navigate tight budget troubles and economic upheaval with some degree of concern for the progressive perspective, all of North Carolina will benefit.

This editorial board supported McCrory in hopes that he would bring a balanced perspective to the governorship, and we believe he still has the capacity — and now the responsibility — to fulfill this expectation.