GOP Strategist Warns Robinson Scandal Could Sink Republicans: ‘Stop Voting for Cartoon Candidates’
Photograph: Robert Willett/AP
A Republican strategist and North Carolina native, Doug Heye, expressed concern over the potential fallout from a recent CNN report that unearthed damning comments made by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Heye urged his party to stop backing what he called “cartoon candidates,” warning of broader electoral consequences.
Appearing on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Heye discussed the impact of a bombshell report revealing that Robinson allegedly posted inflammatory comments on a pornographic website, including a claim that he was a “Black NAZI” and an anecdote about spying on women in a locker room. The comments were reportedly made years before Robinson, who is endorsed by Donald Trump, entered the public sphere.
Robinson has denied the allegations, suggesting that artificial intelligence could have been used to fabricate the comments. Heye, however, was skeptical of Robinson’s ability to survive the scandal, likening it to Trump’s 2016 “Access Hollywood” controversy. Heye emphasized that Robinson is not Trump and might not have the same resilience in the face of public backlash.
“[Robinson] was probably toast before today. Now he’s just a bigger piece of toast,” Heye remarked, indicating that the damage may be irreversible. The strategist pointed out that the controversy isn’t just about Robinson’s gubernatorial race but could also have broader implications for the Republican Party in North Carolina.
“This isn’t about the governor’s race. That race is over. Josh Stein will win. The question is does this affect up-ballot? And I think potentially it does,” Heye explained. He noted that the Trump campaign has been worried about the ripple effect for months.
According to Heye, the Robinson scandal is not the only concern for Republicans in North Carolina. Trump’s campaign, he said, is suffering from a lack of resources and organization in the state. “This campaign has no money. It has no ground game. It can’t drive out their own voters. They’re not all rowing in the same direction, and that’s a real problem for Trump,” he warned.
Heye also held Trump partly responsible for Robinson’s predicament, criticizing the former president’s endorsement of a candidate mired in controversy. “This is another example of Republicans taking their own fists and saying, ‘Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!'” Heye quipped.
He concluded with a plea to his party: “Stop nominating, stop voting for these cartoon candidates, these ‘Addams Family’ candidates who sink your chances in November. This is just the latest and outrageous example.”
