McCrory gets helping hand from Jeb Bush

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Not only is gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory leading in the polls, but also he is leading other candidates in cash flow.

The former Charlotte mayor has more than $3 million on hand to fuel his campaign, but as he pointed out Monday at his fundraising event at Raleigh's Angus Barn, a few million will pale by comparison to what President Barack Obama is expected to spend in the state - and that massive spending by the Democrat presidential candidate could affect state races.

To help build his cash arsenal, McCrory called upon former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to help draw an audience willing to dole out $500 to $8,000 per ticket.

Governor Bush promised to do what he could for the Republican candidate.

"It is a joy to be here to endorse your candidacy and provide whatever support I can," he said to McCrory.

Although Bush challenged Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to release his income tax records earlier this year, the son and brother of two former U.S. presidents is rumored to be Romney's choice for vice president.

When the question was asked if McCrory should release his tax records, Bush said he did not know what the circumstances were, but reiterated his position in Romney's case.

"The guy is incredibly successful," he said.

McCrory preempted a similar situation by freely releasing his records.

"I've released all the information that's required by North Carolina law, and I am proud of that," he said.

However, Justin Guillory of oppositional group Progress N.C. said just following the letter of the law should not be good enough for voters.

"They want to be the leader of the entire state, so we should make sure that they're open and honest with voters," said Guillory.

McCrory and Bush also cautioned supporters that Obama's spending was not the only issue affecting McCrory's campaign.

"The union money against me in 2008 was in the millions of dollars," he said. "We're going to be fighting that same union activity that's going to be trying to reverse North Carolina's right-to-work status and trying to bring collective bargaining in North Carolina. That is something I will fight."

Bush referred to North Carolina as a "battleground state" for the presidential race.

"Twenty million sounds like a gross understatement of what's to come," he said referring to the amount that is expected to be spent in political maneuvering in the state.

The total amount raised by the Raleigh fundraiser was not released, but the attendance was estimated to have been around 200.

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pat mccrory, barack obama, inside politics, shae crisson

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