Robinson receives enthusiastic reception in Valdese

Many in the room sported Trump hats and T-shirts while others wore distinctive red and white “Mark Robinson” shirts, as the wait staff struggled to wade through the crowd to deliver pizzas and sandwiches.

The group erupted into loud, sustained cheers and clapping as the Republican candidate made a quick pass around the room, shaking hands, posing for selfies, and signing autographs.

Robinson’s cheerful demeanor and winning smile disappeared, however, as he began his unscripted remarks by laying into incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper and the Democrat who wants to succeed him, Attorney General Josh Stein.

“Roy Cooper,” Robinson thundered in his booming, baritone voice, which had no need of a microphone, “is an obstructionist and folks in this state are ready for something else.”

What they are not ready for, the candidate continued, “is lying Josh Stein. When he’s not lying, he’s telling half-truths.”

Noting Stein’s campaign ads which make use of old Robinson Facebook posts and complaints about the daycare he owns with his wife, the candidate said, “Josh Stein is the dirtiest person in the state.”

Robinson said that in 2008, when Stein was elected to the N.C. Senate, the state was “flat broke, in debt, teacher pay was frozen and many state employees were put on furlough.”

“The liberal press won’t tell you about Josh Stein’s real record,” Robinson continued. “All they want to do is lie about me and besmirch my character.

“Josh Stein was a bad legislator, a pitiful attorney general, a lying candidate, and he would be a horrible governor,” Robinson said, eliciting thunderous applause from the crowd.

North Carolina needs a Republican governor, Robinson continued, “to work with our General Assembly and make real progress in our state. Never forget that (the Republican Party) has principles inside our policy.”

One of those principles, he added, is a commitment to build the economy all across the state, not just in the large urban areas but in rural communities “in the East and in the West.”

“We are not in debt. We are in strong financial shape, and it is time for North Carolina to invest in all of its people everywhere in our state,” Robinson said.

Turning his attention to the public education system, Robinson said too many teachers are “bringing their political agendas into the classroom and teaching our children to hate America.”

Public education, he continued, “needs to focus on the basics and be more career oriented. What good is a four-year college degree if you can’t find a job and have to live in your momma’s basement?”

Robinson did not mention his support for the Opportunity Scholarship Program which uses state funding to help parents pay their children’s tuition at private schools.

Robinson ended his remarks with another blast against the press: “I am sick and tired of the press trying to enslave you with their lies,” and then added, “We are on the cusp of World War III” but he did not specify who the enemy is.

Robinson and Stein have not yet debated each other in a one-on-one setting and no such debates are currently scheduled.