Gov. Cooper: Trump's coronavirus strategy 'nonexistent'
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s administration still lacks a sufficient strategy to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, sharpening his criticism of the president as the Democratic governor seeks reelection in the key battleground state.
“I like the fact that he did provide some help for hurricane recovery in North Carolina. I do like the push for a vaccine. But most of the federal strategy that we’ve had during this pandemic has been nonexistent,” Cooper said during a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press.
Cooper has largely refrained thus far from direct attacks on Trump as he manages the politically divided state’s pandemic response heading into the November election. Cooper faces the state’s Republican lieutenant governor, who has been endorsed by the president.
“I don’t mind talking about President Trump," Cooper said. "I oppose him when I disagree with him. I will support his actions when they help North Carolina. I always put North Carolina first.”
The governor reiterated his support for former Vice President Joe Biden, though he wouldn't say whether he voted for Biden in the state's March 3 primary. “That’s my business. I support him, but the ballot is private," he said.
Cooper, who has consistently led gubernatorial opponent Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in public opinion polls, chastised the Republican for flouting public health guidance at campaign events.
“My opponent, Dan Forest, is going around holding in-person receptions without a mask, without social distancing and he’s talking about saying that he’s shaking as many hands as he possibly can,” Cooper said. “That’s the kind of thing we need to stop.”
A tweet posted last weekend by state GOP Chairman Michael Whatley showed Forest at a Mount Airy...