McCrory cancels campaign events, heads back to Charlotte

Sep 29, 2008 (The Charlotte Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican nominee for governor, canceled two campaign events today to scurry back to his day job and tend to the gas shortage and sale of Wachovia in Charlotte. McCrory scrubbed a "Meet the Candidate" lunch at Fat Buddies Ribs & Barbecue in Waynesville and a rally at the Transylvania County Republican Party headquarters in Brevard.

"He's back on his way to Charlotte now," campaign spokeswoman Amy Auth said around 10:45 a.m.

McCrory scheduled a press conference at 11:45 a.m. in the mayor's office.

Democrats already have taken a shot at him over his campaigning during the gas crisis.

"On Thursday, McCrory briefly appeared at a press conference in Charlotte during the region's gas crisis," party officials said in a news release, "then promptly left town to continue campaigning across North Carolina while the crisis continued, including riding a convertible in a parade in Benson On Saturday and attending fundraisers and other campaign events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday."

McCrory and other officials in the state, based on information from Gov. Mike Easley's office, said last week that a large shipment of gasoline on Friday should help put the system back to normal, but shortages persist, as do long lines, short tempers and gas pumps covered in plastic bags.

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