Is she done? Gov. Beverly Perdue not in best position for re-election campaign

There comes a point in a politician's life when the choice of whether he or she should run for another term should no longer be his or her own.

Sometimes circumstances force the change and sometimes fate.

But in Gov. Beverly Perdue's case, it is just a matter of more of the same at a time when that is the last thing North Carolina needs.

The latest round of ethics concerns involving personnel in her administration is a sign that perhaps the governor either is trying to keep her own hands clean -- or simply did not know what was going on in her own shop.

And either scenario is not a ringing endorsement for another four years in the Governor's Mansion.

It is possible that the governor is simply the victim of a tradition of dishonesty and, in some cases, criminal behavior that has preceded her in Raleigh. She was the second in command during the disastrous Easley administration.

But no matter what the case might be, the truth is, North Carolina cannot afford to wonder if she has what it takes to navigate this state through what has been and will continue to be some of the most challenging times.

At another time, she might have been the breath of fresh air that this state needed.

Right now, it is seeming more and more like it might be time for her to go.

Voters will have to be the ones to decide that.

Published in Editorials on November 29, 2011 10:48 AM