Paul D. Naylor: Cooper takes correct stand

Regarding the May 10 news article “McCrory’s fight with feds carries big risks, rewards”: Before Gov. Pat McGrory’s “potty peepers” have too much to say about state Attorney General Roy Cooper’s decision not to sue the U.S. Department of Justice over House Bill 2, it would be worthwhile to review just who the AG is.

The AG is not the governor’s attorney; he is not appointed by the governor. The AG is not the legislature’s attorney; it does not appoint him. The AG is the people’s attorney; they elected him.

The AG decides which cases to pursue in the courts based on the law and the constitutions of both the United States and North Carolina. He is the attorney of all North Carolinians, including those some view as “them” or “others.”

As U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch has pointed out, HB2 is clearly a violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal law, and Cooper has shown that he is unwilling to use his office to support state-sponsored discrimination.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Paul D. Naylor: Cooper takes correct stand."