By Axios | Created at 2024-09-22 16:52:17 | Updated at 2024-09-30 07:32:43
1 week ago
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D) described the scandal-embroiled North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as the "new dream candidate" to run against.
Why it matters: North Carolina has not flipped blue since 2008. But former President Trump's campaign is concerned that the streak of scandals and incendiary rhetoric from the Republican nominee for governor could hurt Trump's prospects in the key swing state.
- Team Trump is working to distance the former president from Robinson, whom Trump once described as "Martin Luther King on steroids," after CNN reported the gubernatorial candidate referred to himself as a "black NAZI!" and a "perv" on a porn site's messaging board and expressed support for reinstating slavery.
- Robinson has denied the allegations and vowed to stay in the race against North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat.
Driving the news: In his first interview after Robinson's alleged comments were revealed, Stein disputed Robinson's denial, saying his behavior was "in keeping" with his long history of controversial statements.
- "Mark Robinson is absolutely unfit to be the governor of North Carolina, and that was true before your story broke last Thursday; the story has only served to underline and put an exclamation point on that fact," Stein said on CNN's "State of the Union."
- Robinson's poll numbers have plummeted in recent months.
Zoom out: Trump held a rally in North Carolina Saturday, but Robinson's name was absent from his speech.
- With all eyes on the Tar Heel state, where Harris has found recent momentum, GOP vice presidential nominee Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Trump are increasing travel to the state.
What they're saying: "It would be wonderful and almost ball game if Harris wins North Carolina," Fetterman said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
- "But she's made North Carolina competitive already, and then after Robinson, now, we're in the best possible situation to win," he added.
The other side: South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) told NBC's Kristen Welker that Robinson has a right — and "an obligation" — to defend himself against the "beyond unnerving" charges, but emphasized that if the reporting is true, "He's unfit to serve for office."
- Graham added, "If they're not true, he has the best lawsuit in the history of the country for libel," advising Robinson to hire the best lawyer he can find.
- But Graham argued that the Trump-backed nominee's alleged scandal does not hurt the former president.
- "Should every Republican in the country be held responsible for this guy? I would say no," he said.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) called the allegations "concerning" on "State of the Union" Sunday and said Robinson "owes the people of North Carolina more answers."
- But he dismissed North Carolina as "one state," saying, "We're talking about a presidential race that's is going to affect every American."
Go deeper: In the long list of Mark Robinson's controversial statements, 1 stands out
