North Carolina Senate

Michael Whatley knew.

When Michael Whatley ran the North Carolina Republican Party, he could have picked anyone to be in senior leadership. Whatley chose Harvey Lee West, [music] a registered sex offender, appointing West after he spent six years in prison for sex crimes against children. And [music] West said he was open about his past from day one. Whatley even let West attend events with kids. Michael Whatley knew, and that tells you everything you need to know about him. >> I'm Roy Cooper, and I approve this message.

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

FACT: Democrats haven’t won a Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008. ALSO FACT: Roy Cooper is about to change that. Time and again, Roy has won in this battleground state – even twice in the years that President Donald Trump won. There are two big reasons why: 1. Roy fights for working families and has delivered powerful results. 2. He’s always had a strong grassroots team by his side. It’s the only way he’ll be able to win again this year – and flip the seat Democrats need to take back the Senate. Yet, with a new poll showing Roy’s lead in this race shrinking, we need your immediate grassroots support to build more momentum and fight back against all of the Republican super PAC spending. Will you chip in now to help Roy flip NC and the Senate? Sorry to stop your scrolling. We didn’t want you to miss this message from Roy!

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive language used to create a favorable impression without specific substantive claims — for example: 'working families' and 'powerful results'

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Roy Cooper is committed to inclusive leadership, protecting democratic institutions, and expanding opportunity for all.

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Things aren’t looking good: 1. President Trump personally attacked me when he came to North Carolina to campaign for my opponent, saying I’d make North Carolina a “killing field.” 2. Far-right super PACs – including a Trump-aligned group – are spending over $100 million so far to defeat me and prop up my Republican opponent, Michael Whatley. 3. Their attacks are working: Recent polls show this race is statistically tied. Trump, Vance and the entire MAGA machine are coming after me as a top target – because if we lose here, Democrats will lose our shot at flipping the Senate. I need a grassroots army of my own to fight back immediately, so please, can I count on you to chip in today? President Trump is going all in to defeat me. He knows Democrats have no shot at taking back the Senate without flipping North Carolina blue. We haven’t won a Senate seat here since 2008, but with recent polls showing this race statistically tied, our campaign is the best chance we have at changing that. I can’t do this without you. Will you chip in today?

Loaded Language: The label 'Far-right' is an emotionally charged political descriptor used to frame the opposing groups negatively rather than neutrally — for example: Far-right super PACs

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Michael Whatley prioritizes North Carolina workers, families, and small businesses

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Things aren’t looking good: 1. President Trump personally attacked me when he came to North Carolina to campaign for my opponent, saying I’d make North Carolina a “killing field.” 2. Far-right super PACs – including a Trump-aligned group – are spending over $100 million so far to defeat me and prop up my Republican opponent, Michael Whatley. 3. Their attacks are working: Recent polls show this race is statistically tied. Trump, Vance and the entire MAGA machine are coming after me as a top target – because if we lose here, Democrats will lose our shot at flipping the Senate. I need a grassroots army of my own to fight back immediately, so please, can I count on you to chip in today? This is not good news: Republicans are outspending us. Dark-money super PACs and megadonors are dumping millions into North Carolina to defeat me and ruin our chances of taking back the Senate. Here’s the good news: If everyone reading this chips in just $1 (yes, $1!), we’ll be able to respond to their attacks and power this grassroots movement to victory. I’m turning to the folks who understand the stakes of this race to give what they can right now. Will you pitch in?

Loaded Language: The term 'Far-right' is an emotionally charged label used to characterize the opposing super PACs in a negative light rather than describing them neutrally — for example: 'Far-right super PACs'

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This is an uphill battle: Democrats haven’t won a Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008 – since Barack Obama was President. WORSE, the GOP is spending over $100 million so far to keep it that way. There are two big reasons why they’re pouring so much money into this race: 1. If Roy Cooper loses in NC, Democrats will lose our chance to take back the Senate. 2. Recent polls show Roy statistically tied with Republican Michael Whatley, and GOP dark-money groups are betting that this surge in cash will tip the scales in Whatley’s direction. Time and again, Roy has won in this battleground state – but every victory has only been possible with a strong grassroots team by his side. He needs your immediate support to fight back against all of the Republican super PAC spending. Will you chip in now to help Roy flip NC and the Senate? This is not good news: Republicans are outspending us. Dark-money super PACs and megadonors are dumping millions into North Carolina to defeat me and ruin our chances of taking back the Senate. Here’s the good news: If everyone reading this chips in just $1 (yes, $1!), we’ll be able to respond to their attacks and power this grassroots movement to victory. I’m turning to the folks who understand the stakes of this race to give what they can right now. Will you pitch in?

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Michael Whatley prioritizes North Carolina workers, families, and small businesses.

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🚨 THE ROAD TO CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE RUNS THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA! 🇺🇸 Michael Whatley has closed the gap to just 5 points! This race is tightening—and North Carolina could determine who controls the U.S. Senate. Every vote matters. Every county matters. Let’s go, North Carolina! 🇺🇸 #northcarolina #NCSenate #MichaelWhatley #election2026 #NCpolitics

False Urgency: The emergency siren emoji and all-caps formatting create artificial urgency and alarm around a political statement — for example: 🚨 THE ROAD TO CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE RUNS THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA!

Appeal to Fear: Framing Senate control as hinging on a single state implies dire consequences if action is not taken, designed to provoke anxiety and mobilize readers — for example: THE ROAD TO CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE RUNS THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA

Slogans: Catchy phrase used to compress a complex position into an emotionally loaded shorthand.

Glittering Generalities: The rallying cry paired with a flag emoji invokes vague patriotic enthusiasm without substantive content — for example: 'Let's go, North Carolina! 🇺🇸'

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Michael Whatley is a millionaire former energy lobbyist who fought to raise electricity bills in our state. Today, he owns nearly $500,000 in Duke Energy stock, so rate hikes on North Carolinians raise his bottom line. North Carolina can’t afford Michael Whatley.

Loaded Language: The word 'fought' is emotionally charged, implying aggressive self-interested action against ordinary citizens — for example: 'fought to raise electricity bills'

Appeal to Prejudice: The framing contrasts Whatley's personal financial gain against 'North Carolinians' as a collective in-group being harmed, exploiting local identity — for example: 'rate hikes on North Carolinians raise his bottom line'

Appeal to Fear: The phrase implies dire economic consequences for the state if Whatley is not rejected, creating urgency and anxiety — for example: 'North Carolina can't afford Michael Whatley'

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Ronald Hayes thought he was telling the heartbreaking story of his son’s murder in an anti-gun-violence advertisement. Instead, he was lied to by allies of GOP Senate candidate Michael Whatley, and his testimony ended up as part of a multimillion-dollar campaign against former Gov. Roy Cooper in the NC U.S. Senate Race. “They were deceitful, conniving, and scheming,” said Hayes. NC Voices Paid for by WinSenate

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ROY COOPER RELEASED VIOLENT CRIMINALS

Jimmy [music] Spate Jr. Eight convictions, burglary, car theft, sexually abusing a 14-year-old child. Cooper released 3,500 criminals early, then pardoned and set free more criminals than any North Carolina governor this century. Cooper let Spate out, then Spate [music] sexually assaulted a woman and murdered an innocent man. 40 years of Roy Cooper is long enough. SLF PAC [music] is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Loaded Language: The enumeration of crimes, especially 'sexually abusing a 14-year-old child,' is framed to maximize emotional revulsion and set up a scapegoating narrative — for example: sexually abusing a 14-year-old child and murdered an innocent man.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim that Cooper pardoned and set free 'more criminals than any North Carolina governor this century' is an extreme superlative presented without sourcing or context — for example: more criminals than any North Carolina governor this century and 40 years of Roy Cooper is long enough.

Card Stacking: The sentence selectively presents the number of early releases and pardons to paint Cooper negatively, omitting any context about the nature of those releases, legal mandates, or outcomes — for example: Cooper released 3,500 criminals early

Name Calling: Repeatedly labeling released individuals as 'criminals' rather than using neutral terms like 'inmates' or 'prisoners' is a derogatory framing designed to discredit Cooper — for example: released 3,500 criminals early

Scapegoating: Cooper is directly blamed for the subsequent crimes of Spate, implying a simple causal chain that ignores the complexity of criminal justice decisions — for example: Cooper let Spate out, then Spate sexually assaulted a woman and murdered an innocent man

Appeal to Fear: The vivid description of sexual assault and murder is used to generate fear and anxiety about Cooper's governance, implying voters are at risk — for example: sexually assaulted a woman and murdered an innocent man

False Urgency: The phrase '40 years of Roy Cooper is long enough' implies that time has run out and action must be taken now, creating artificial urgency to drive a voting decision — for example: 40 years of Roy Cooper is long enough

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

Roy Cooper released 3,500 criminals. 18 of them were murderers. Logan was the casualty of an agenda. A man pulled Logan out of bed. Forced her on her knees. He stuck a shotgun on her chest. And pulled the trigger for no reason. 40 years of Roy Cooper is enough.

Loaded Language: The word 'criminals' is a loaded label applied to all 3,500 individuals, framing them in the most negative light rather than using neutral terms like 'inmates' or 'prisoners' — for example: 'released 3,500 criminals'

Card Stacking: By immediately following the total release figure with the most extreme subset (murderers), the framing selectively emphasizes the worst cases to imply the entire release was dangerous, omitting context about the nature of the other cases or the circumstances of release — for example: '18 of them were murderers'

Appeal to Fear: Highlighting that murderers were among those released is designed to provoke fear and anxiety about public safety without providing context about conditions of release or recidivism risk — for example: '18 of them were murderers'

Conspiracy Appeal: The phrase 'casualty of an agenda' implies a hidden, sinister plan orchestrated against Logan without specifying who is behind it or what the agenda is — for example: 'casualty of an agenda'

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Roy Cooper released 3,500 criminals. 18 of them were murderers. Logan was the casualty of a leftist agenda. A man pulled Logan out of bed. Forced her on her knees. He stuck a shotgun on her chest. And pulled the trigger for no reason. 40 years of Roy Cooper is enough. Roy Cooper released 3,500 criminals. 18 of them were murderers. Logan was the casualty of a leftist agenda. A man pulled Logan out of bed. Forced her on her knees. He stuck a shotgun on her chest. And pulled the trigger for no reason. 40 years of Roy Cooper is enough.

Loaded Language: The word 'criminals' is a loaded label applied to all 3,500 individuals, framing them in the most negative light rather than using neutral terms like 'inmates' or 'prisoners' — for example: 'released 3,500 criminals'

Card Stacking: By immediately following the broad release figure with the most extreme subset (murderers), the passage selectively highlights the worst cases to imply the entire release was dangerous, omitting context about the nature of the full 3,500 releases — for example: '18 of them were murderers'

Appeal to Fear: Singling out murderers among those released is designed to provoke fear and anxiety about public safety, implying a direct threat to the community — for example: '18 of them were murderers'

Name Calling: The term 'leftist' is used as a derogatory political label to discredit the unnamed group or ideology being blamed — for example: 'leftist agenda'

Scapegoating: A vague political group ('leftist agenda') is blamed for harm done to Logan, attributing complex circumstances to a single ideological enemy — for example: 'casualty of a leftist agenda'

Conspiracy Appeal: The phrase 'agenda' implies a hidden, coordinated sinister plot by a political group acting against individuals like Logan — for example: 'leftist agenda'

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The whole country gets an opinion. You get a vote. North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat is one of the most watched races in America this year. Control of the Senate could run through it. The ads are already everywhere, the national money is pouring in, and cable news says our state's name every night. Here's what the national coverage won't do: sit down and compare these two men on the issues that reach a Piedmont kitchen table. Roy Cooper (D), the two-term former governor, versus Michael Whatley (R), the former RNC chair, for a seat with no incumbent. Taxes, immigration, tariffs, disaster recovery, judges. We put their records and positions side by side, a 20-second summary up top, the full comparison underneath, every mark tied to a public source. 👉 ourpiedmont.com/senate.php Out-of-state ads will spend millions trying to make up your mind. Two free minutes with the actual records works better. Early voting opens October 15. The country watches. North Carolina decides. And North Carolina is you. Our Piedmont Education Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3). We don't endorse candidates. In the loudest race in America, we're the quiet page with the facts.

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It was a home invasion. 22 year-old Logan was brutally murdered, the casualty of a leftist agenda. Ex-Governor Roy Cooper let 3,500 criminals out on the street. 18 of them were murderers. Half committed more crime. 40 years of Roy Cooper is enough.

Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts. — for example: brutally murdered.

Name Calling: Derogatory labels used to discredit a person or group rather than address their arguments. — for example: leftist agenda.

Conspiracy Appeal: Hidden plots, secret coordination, or shadowy actors invoked to explain away evidence.

Scapegoating: A violent crime is attributed directly to a broad political ideology ('leftist agenda'), blaming an entire political group for a specific criminal act without evidence of a causal link — for example: 'the casualty of a leftist agenda'

Card Stacking: The sentence presents only the negative framing of a release decision without any context about the nature of the releases, legal basis, or mitigating circumstances — for example: let 3,500 criminals out on the street and Half committed more crime.

Appeal to Fear: Highlighting that murderers were among those released is designed to provoke fear and anxiety about public safety — for example: '18 of them were murderers'

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With the stroke of a pen—Roy Cooper released 3,500 prisoners. Innocent families paid the price because Roy Cooper chose CRIMINALS over North Carolinians. Roy Cooper has been in politics 40 years, and we’re paying the price.

Loaded Language: The word 'CRIMINALS' is capitalized for emotional emphasis and 'innocent families paid the price' uses emotionally charged framing to trigger outrage — for example: CRIMINALS

Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents a binary choice implying Cooper either sides with criminals or with North Carolinians, leaving no room for nuanced policy positions — for example: chose CRIMINALS over North Carolinians

Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'over North Carolinians' invokes in-group identity, implying Cooper betrayed his own constituents in favor of an out-group — for example: over North Carolinians

Scapegoating: Roy Cooper is singularly blamed for harm to innocent families due to a policy choice, reducing a complex issue to one person's alleged betrayal — for example: because Roy Cooper chose CRIMINALS

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North Carolina voters - do you know Roy Cooper’s real record? → 40 years as a lifelong politician → 3,500 dangerous prisoners released → 18 were charged with murder → 1 murdered a woman and left her body in a well. Enough is enough. North Carolina voters - do you know Roy Cooper’s real record? → 40 years as a lifelong politician → 3,500 dangerous prisoners released → 18 were charged with murder → 1 murdered a woman and left her body in a well. Enough is enough.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'real record' implies there is a hidden or concealed truth about Roy Cooper that voters are unaware of, carrying a negative connotation designed to trigger suspicion — for example: 'real record'

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Roy Cooper let 3,500 CRIMINALS out on the street. 18 of them were murderers. One stabbed a woman to death, leaving her body in a well. NORTH CAROLINA: 40 years of Roy Cooper is ENOUGH! Roy Cooper let 3,500 CRIMINALS out on the street. 18 of them were murderers. One stabbed a woman to death, leaving her body in a well. NORTH CAROLINA: 40 years of Roy Cooper is ENOUGH!

Loaded Language: The word 'CRIMINALS' is capitalized for emphasis and used as an emotionally charged label to trigger fear and outrage rather than convey nuanced factual information about the individuals released — for example: 'CRIMINALS'

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The framing implies a reckless mass release of dangerous individuals onto streets, overstating the threat without context about who was released, why, or under what legal authority — for example: 'let 3,500 CRIMINALS out on the street'

Appeal to Fear: The image of thousands of criminals being 'let out on the street' is designed to provoke anxiety about public safety and assign personal blame to Roy Cooper — for example: 'let 3,500 CRIMINALS out on the street'

False Urgency: The exclamatory framing combined with 'ENOUGH' implies an immediate need for action, creating artificial pressure that something must be done now — for example: 40 years of Roy Cooper is ENOUGH!

Name Calling: Labeling all released individuals as 'CRIMINALS' without context dehumanizes them and is used to discredit Cooper's decision rather than engage with its merits — for example: 3,500 CRIMINALS

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NEW: Families demand accountability for repeat offenders as ex-North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s policy of releasing violent criminals from prison faces renewed scrutiny. Read the latest on The North Carolinian: NEW: Families demand accountability for repeat offenders as ex-North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s policy of releasing violent criminals from prison faces renewed scrutiny. Read the latest on The North Carolinian: NEW: Families demand accountability for repeat offenders as ex-North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s policy of releasing violent criminals from prison faces renewed scrutiny. Read the latest on The North Carolinian:

Loaded Language: The phrase 'violent criminals' is emotionally charged language designed to trigger a strong negative reaction and frame the policy in the worst possible light — for example: 'violent criminals'

Card Stacking: The sentence presents Cooper's policy as one of 'releasing violent criminals' without any context about the nature of the policy, its intent, or any counterbalancing information, selectively framing it to imply recklessness — for example: 'policy of releasing violent criminals from prison'

False Urgency: The word 'NEW' at the start creates artificial urgency and immediacy to heighten alarm around the story — for example: 'NEW'

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Roy Cooper released 3,500 prisoners with the stroke of a pen. One stabbed a woman to death and left her body in a well. 18 were later charged with murder. Roy Cooper puts CRIMINALS before innocent North Carolina families, and we’re paying the price. Roy Cooper released 3,500 prisoners with the stroke of a pen. One stabbed a woman to death and left her body in a well. 18 were later charged with murder. Roy Cooper puts CRIMINALS before innocent North Carolina families, and we’re paying the price.

Loaded Language: The word 'CRIMINALS' is capitalized for emotional emphasis and 'innocent' is used to contrast and trigger a protective reaction — for example: CRIMINALS vs innocent families

Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence implies Cooper is either for criminals or for families, with no nuance or middle ground possible — for example: puts CRIMINALS before innocent families

Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'we're paying the price' implies dire consequences for ordinary families due to Cooper's alleged prioritization of criminals, creating anxiety — for example: we're paying the price

Name Calling: The capitalized label 'CRIMINALS' is used as a derogatory rhetorical device to discredit those Cooper allegedly favors rather than engaging with specific policy arguments — for example: CRIMINALS

Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'innocent North Carolina families' invokes in-group identity to position the audience as victims being betrayed by Cooper — for example: innocent North Carolina families

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LATEST: 22 year old North Carolina woman killed by career criminal with 31 prior felonies. As discussions increase surrounding ex-Governor Roy Cooper’s release of thousands of prisoners, including murderers, citizens are asking, was Logan the victim of a political agenda? Read more: LATEST: 22 year old North Carolina woman killed by career criminal with 31 prior felonies. As discussions increase surrounding ex-Governor Roy Cooper’s release of thousands of prisoners, including murderers, citizens are asking, was Logan the victim of a political agenda? Read more:

Loaded Language: The phrase 'career criminal' is an emotionally charged label designed to trigger a strong negative reaction rather than neutrally describe the accused — for example: career criminal and including murderers.

Conspiracy Appeal: The sentence implies a hidden sinister political motive behind prisoner releases, framing the victim's death as potentially orchestrated by a political agenda — for example: was Logan the victim of a political agenda?

Scapegoating: The sentence singles out ex-Governor Roy Cooper and his prisoner release policy as the cause of the woman's death, attributing a complex criminal justice outcome to one political actor — for example: ex-Governor Roy Cooper's release of thousands of prisoners, including murderers

Appeal to Fear: The sentence leverages the death of a young woman to stoke fear about the consequences of prisoner releases, implying citizens are at risk from a political decision — for example: was Logan the victim of a political agenda?

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DEVELOPING: Roy Cooper released North Carolina prisoner who fatally stabbed a woman to death and dumped her body in a well. Read the disturbing details ⬇️ DEVELOPING: Roy Cooper released North Carolina prisoner who fatally stabbed a woman to death and dumped her body in a well. Read the disturbing details ⬇️

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BREAKING: North Carolinians are dealing with the deadly consequences of Roy Cooper’s release of 3,500 criminals while he was Governor. This decision continues to spark debate in North Carolina. Read the full story: BREAKING: North Carolinians are dealing with the deadly consequences of Roy Cooper’s release of 3,500 criminals while he was Governor. This decision continues to spark debate in North Carolina. Read the full story:

Loaded Language: The sentence uses emotionally charged words like 'deadly consequences' and 'criminals' to provoke a strong negative reaction rather than convey neutral facts — for example: deadly consequences of Roy Cooper's release of 3,500 criminals.

False Urgency: The 'BREAKING' label creates artificial urgency and alarm around what may be a non-immediate or ongoing policy matter — for example: 'BREAKING: North Carolinians are dealing with the deadly consequences'

Scapegoating: The sentence directly attributes 'deadly consequences' to a single individual's decision, oversimplifying a complex policy outcome — for example: deadly consequences of Roy Cooper's release of 3,500 criminals while he was Governor.

Name Calling: Derogatory labels used to discredit a person or group rather than address their arguments.

Appeal to Fear: The sentence frames the release as causing deadly harm to North Carolinians, creating anxiety about public safety to provoke a strong emotional response — for example: 'dealing with the deadly consequences of Roy Cooper's release of 3,500 criminals'

Card Stacking: The sentence presents the release as directly causing deadly consequences without providing context, counterarguments, or evidence of the actual outcomes, selectively framing the situation to imply maximum harm — for example: 'deadly consequences of Roy Cooper's release of 3,500 criminals'

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NORTH CAROLINA: Roy Cooper's record speaks for itself. ⬇️ ❌ Released 3,500 prisoners. ❌ 18 were later charged with murder. ❌ One of them murdered a woman and left her body in a well. After 40 years in politics for Roy Cooper, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

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New details reveal the consequences of Roy Cooper’s North Carolina prisoner releases. → 3,500 prisoners released → 18 were later charged with murder Read more: New details reveal the consequences of Roy Cooper’s North Carolina prisoner releases. → 3,500 prisoners released → 18 were later charged with murder Read more:

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When Roy Cooper puts criminals before the innocent, North Carolina families pay the price. One prisoner he released stabbed a woman to death and left her body in a well. 18 were later charged with murder. 40 years of Roy Cooper is ENOUGH.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'puts criminals before the innocent' uses emotionally charged framing to cast Cooper as actively choosing wrongdoers over victims, triggering moral outrage rather than conveying factual policy analysis — for example: 'puts criminals before the innocent'

Appeal to Fear: The sentence implies that Cooper's actions directly cause harm to North Carolina families, creating anxiety about personal safety and consequences to pressure a specific political response — for example: 'North Carolina families pay the price'

Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence presents a binary framing in which one must either side with criminals or with innocent families, leaving no room for nuanced criminal justice policy positions — for example: 'puts criminals before the innocent'

Scapegoating: Roy Cooper is singled out as the direct cause of harm to North Carolina families, attributing complex public safety outcomes to one individual's alleged choices — for example: 'When Roy Cooper puts criminals before the innocent, North Carolina families pay the price'

False Urgency: The emphatic capitalization of 'ENOUGH' creates a sense of urgency and finality, implying that the situation has reached a critical breaking point that demands immediate action — for example: ENOUGH

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Attributing '40 years' to Roy Cooper without context implies an overwhelming, exhausting dominance that may overstate his actual influence or tenure — for example: 40 years of Roy Cooper

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🚨 The Trump campaign has released a video backing Republican Michael Whatley in his bid for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, pairing him alongside Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz at a Craven County, North Carolina event. In the campaign video posted by @TeamTrump, Whatley pledges that he will never allow fraud in North Carolina, and the Trump campaign frames him as an anti-fraud champion who will work with Dr. Oz to root out fraud, waste, and abuse in federal government programs. All claims in the video are Trump campaign messaging and are not independently verified. Dr. Oz, a Trump administration appointee, has claimed that fraud, waste, and abuse across Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children's Health Insurance Program total $100 billion, a figure Oz has cited repeatedly in public appearances. The Trump campaign video asserts that North Carolina taxpayers deserve to know where their tax dollars are being spent. Whatley, the former Republican National Committee Chair, faces Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper in the November 3, 2026 general election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis. The race is widely projected to be one of the most watched and most expensive Senate contests in the country. What do you think: how much of a factor will the anti-fraud message be in this North Carolina Senate race? 👇 #NorthCarolina #MichaelWhatley #NCsenate #DrOz #Election2026 #Breaking

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🚨 North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley hosted a roundtable in Raleigh with angel families and families of fentanyl victims, bringing personal loss to the center of the state's immigration debate. Whatley was joined by National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez, as families shared their experiences with migrant crime and illicit fentanyl trafficking. The discussion centered on border security, illegal immigration, and fentanyl enforcement. The roundtable coincided with the National Border Patrol Council's formal endorsement of Whatley in his U.S. Senate race against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley and Perez also made multiple stops across North Carolina focused on border and public safety issues. How much of a role should border security and illegal immigration play in deciding North Carolina's next senator? 👇 #NorthCarolina #BorderSecurity #Fentanyl #NCSenate #MichaelWhatley #Breaking

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Gavin Newsom Comes To North Carolina To Campaign For Former Governor Roy Cooper “Radical Roy Cooper and his best friend Gavin Newsom are rallying today to bring California’s ‘progressive’ agenda to North Carolina. Newsflash for Cooper- North Carolina wants nothing to do with the radical destruction Newsom has unleashed onto his state. Cooper has followed the lead of Newsom time and time again- releasing violent criminals, standing with the woke mob against parents, and supporting the transgender mutilation of our kids. Cooper wants to unleash this radical left wing agenda onto North Carolina and voters are lining up to reject him this November,” said Whatley Spokesman DJ Griffin. Read more here:

Name Calling: The label 'Radical' is applied directly to Roy Cooper as a derogatory descriptor rather than an argument — for example: Radical Roy Cooper

Loaded Language: The word 'Radical' is used as an emotionally charged label, and 'progressive' is placed in scare quotes to mock and delegitimize the agenda — for example: Radical Roy Cooper, California's 'progressive' agenda and radical destruction Newsom has unleashed onto his state.

Appeal to Prejudice: The claim that 'North Carolina wants nothing to do with' the agenda invokes in-group identity, implying true North Carolinians are unified against this outside threat — for example: North Carolina wants nothing to do with

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Describing California's policies as 'radical destruction unleashed onto his state' is an extreme overstatement beyond what evidence supports — for example: radical destruction Newsom has unleashed onto his state

Appeal to Fear: The sentence invokes threats to children and public safety to provoke fear — for example: releasing violent criminals, supporting the transgender mutilation of our kids

Card Stacking: A list of unverified or distorted claims is presented as a factual record of Cooper's actions without evidence or context — for example: releasing violent criminals, standing with the woke mob against parents

Scapegoating: Cooper and Newsom are blamed as the singular cause of harm to children, parents, and public safety — for example: Cooper has followed the lead of Newsom time and time again

Repetition: The word 'radical' is used repeatedly across the passage (sentences 1, 2, and 4) as a deliberate rhetorical device to make the label feel true through familiarity — for example: Radical Roy Cooper, radical destruction, radical left wing agenda

Bandwagon Appeal: The claim that 'voters are lining up to reject him' implies mass popular opposition to pressure conformity — for example: voters are lining up to reject him this November

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Whatley gave a known sex offender a big job. Learn the truth. Whatley gave a known sex offender a big job. Learn the truth.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'known sex offender' is emotionally charged and designed to trigger a strong negative reaction toward Whatley — for example: associating him with a highly stigmatized label to provoke outrage rather than present neutral facts.

False Urgency: The imperative 'Learn the truth' creates a sense of urgency and implies hidden information is being withheld, pressuring the audience to act immediately — for example: 'Learn the truth' functions as a call to action implying the audience is currently being deceived.

Conspiracy Appeal: The phrase implies that the real facts are being concealed and that the audience must seek out hidden information — for example: 'Learn the truth' suggests a cover-up or suppression of damaging facts about Whatley.

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In his own words: "Inflation has fallen off a cliff." Cooper has a real plan to bring costs down. In his own words: "Inflation has fallen off a cliff." Cooper has a real plan to bring costs down.

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The attack on Roy Cooper is just plain false. What’s true is that Michael Whatley hired a known child sex offender. He won’t protect North Carolina. The attack on Roy Cooper is just plain false. What’s true is that Michael Whatley hired a known child sex offender. He won’t protect North Carolina.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'known child sex offender' is emotionally charged and chosen to trigger a strong visceral reaction against Michael Whatley rather than simply convey a factual hiring decision — for example: 'known child sex offender'

Appeal to Fear: The claim that Whatley 'won't protect North Carolina' implies a threat to public safety to provoke anxiety and override rational evaluation of the candidate — for example: 'He won't protect North Carolina'

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Watch my new ad: No AI. No special effects. Just Michael Whatley in his own words.

I'm going to show you something. No AI, no special effects, just Michael Whatley in his own words. [music] >> Grocery prices are down, gasoline prices are down, housing prices are down, inflation is down. >> Unbelievable. >> [music] >> And so is this. >> There is no inflation. >> Seriously? I'm Roy Cooper, and I approve this message because I know [music] costs are way up, and it's the senator's job to do something about it. That's why I have [music] a plan to make stuff cost less, and you can read about it right here.

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

A new poll is showing a closer contest in North Carolina's closely watched U.S. Senate race, with just weeks remaining before Election Day. The latest High Point University Poll found Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley 50% to 45% among likely voters. The five-point difference is narrower than the double-digit Cooper advantages found in some other recent polling. The HPU survey also shows just how divided North Carolina's electorate remains. Likely voters were evenly split at 47%–47% on the generic U.S. House ballot, while Democrats held only narrow advantages on generic state House and Senate ballots. The poll was conducted Aug. 3–12 and included 660 likely voters, with HPU reporting a credibility interval of approximately ±5.2 percentage points for that group. That means the individual numbers should be viewed as a snapshot rather than proof that the race has definitively tightened. With North Carolina historically producing competitive statewide elections, both campaigns are preparing for a closely fought final stretch to November.

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📊 NEW POLL: Roy Cooper leads Michael Whatley 48%-43% in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, according to a new High Point University poll. The five-point gap comes as voting is set to begin in just two weeks.

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🚨 A Heritage Foundation analysis found that North Carolina health insurance premiums rose 183% during Roy Cooper's time as state attorney general and governor — a figure now at the center of a campaign attack from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley. Forbes separately ranked North Carolina as the most expensive state for health care, with residents paying the highest average premiums for employer-sponsored "plus-one" coverage in the nation, at $4,781 annually. Cooper, the Democratic Senate nominee and former two-term governor, is running on a platform of lowering healthcare costs and has vowed to take on insurance companies he says are "ripping off" North Carolina families. But financial disclosures show Cooper's campaign has accepted nearly $400,000 from insurance industry sources — including more than $84,000 from health insurance PACs tied to Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Cigna, Centene, UnitedHealth Group, and CVS Health, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Whatley, a former chair of both the RNC and the North Carolina Republican Party and an endorsee of President Trump, is drawing a direct contrast between Cooper's anti-insurance rhetoric and his fundraising record. The winner of November's election will succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Do you think a candidate's donor list should disqualify them from campaigning on an issue? 👇 #NorthCarolina #RoyCooper #MichaelWhatley #NCSenate #Healthcare #Breaking

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🚨 Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, now running for U.S. Senate, is pushing back on Republican claims that his administration released thousands of convicted offenders early, calling the accusation "simply not true." State records, however, show 4,234 offenders were released under a 2021 settlement between Cooper's administration and civil rights groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, 734 more than the settlement's minimum requirement. Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman, has accused Cooper of releasing more than 4,200 criminals early. State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger blamed Cooper for failing to properly inform the public about the releases, while House Speaker Destin Hall called them a "serious miscarriage of justice" that endangered public safety. Cooper has told reporters "the court ordered this," arguing he fought for fewer releases. Republicans allege recidivism among those released runs as high as 57 percent according to a newly launched tracking database, with at least 18 former inmates later charged with murder and more than 80 charged with sex offenses. The debate intensified following the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train. Accused killer DeCarlos Brown, 34, had more than a dozen prior criminal arrests before federal prosecutors stepped in to pursue charges. Cooper's campaign has disputed Republican claims that Brown was released under the COVID-era settlement. A joint legislative subcommittee on prisons has been formed to investigate the settlement. The North Carolina U.S. Senate race is considered one of Democrats' top pickup opportunities in 2026. What questions do you have about the releases and how they are being handled? 👇 #RoyCooper #NorthCarolina #NCSen #IrynaZarutska #CriminalJustice #Breaking

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Thank you, thank you, thank you. You didn’t have to start reading this ad, but I appreciate your time. I’m running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, and right now, polling shows me narrowly leading my Republican opponent, Michael Whatley. Experts also say that this is our best chance to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in the entire country. The momentum is on our side. Here’s the problem: The GOP is now panicking. Their top super PAC has gone live with its first false attack ads against me, and they’re spending more in North Carolina than any other battleground on the map. That’s because if we lose here, Democrats will lose our shot at taking back the Senate. President Trump and MAGA loyalist Stephen Miller are even coming after me – personally attacking me on social media and Fox News and lying about who I am and what I stand for. It’s shameful. I’m up against the full force of the GOP establishment, and the only way I can win this race is with your urgent grassroots support. Will you chip in to my campaign today? Thank you, thank you, thank you. You didn’t have to start reading this ad, but I appreciate your time. I’m running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, and right now, polling shows me narrowly leading my Republican opponent, Michael Whatley. Experts also say that this is our best chance to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in the entire country. The momentum is on our side. Here’s the problem: The GOP is now panicking. Their top super PAC has gone live with its first false attack ads against me, and they’re spending more in North Carolina than any other battleground on the map. That’s because if we lose here, Democrats will lose our shot at taking back the Senate. President Trump and MAGA loyalist Stephen Miller are even coming after me – personally attacking me on social media and Fox News and lying about who I am and what I stand for. It’s shameful. I’m up against the full force of the GOP establishment, and the only way I can win this race is with your urgent grassroots support. Will you chip in to my campaign today?

Name Calling: The label 'MAGA loyalist' is used as a derogatory descriptor to discredit Stephen Miller rather than engage with his arguments — for example: MAGA loyalist

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Michael Whatley appointed convicted sex offender Harvey Lee West to top roles in the NC GOP. During his tenure, West had access to teenage girls and young adults at dozens of Republican events presided by Whatley. American Journal News Paid for by WinSenate

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Logan's Story

Logan was the most caring, loving person. It was a home invasion. Went to the house where Logan was sleeping and [music] he pulled her out of bed and forced her on her knees and and uh stuck a shotgun in her uh left side of her chest and pulled the trigger. For no reason. Logan was a casualty of an agenda. Roy Cooper let 3,500 criminals out on the street. 18 of them were murders. 40 years of Roy Cooper's enough. >> SLF PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Loaded Language: Emotionally charged descriptors used to build emotional attachment to the victim before the political attack — for example: most caring, loving person, casualty of an agenda and 3,500 criminals out on the street.

Appeal to Fear: Graphic, visceral description of violent murder designed to provoke fear and emotional outrage rather than inform — for example: stuck a shotgun in her uh left side of her chest and pulled the trigger and 18 of them were murders.

Conspiracy Appeal: Implies Logan's death was the result of a hidden, deliberate agenda rather than an isolated criminal act — for example: 'casualty of an agenda'

Scapegoating: Directly blames Roy Cooper for releasing criminals, implying he is personally responsible for subsequent crimes — for example: 'Roy Cooper let 3,500 criminals out on the street'

Card Stacking: Presents a large number as if it directly caused the murder, omitting context about the nature of the releases, legal processes, or recidivism rates — for example: Roy Cooper let 3,500 criminals out on the street and 18 of them were murders.

False Urgency: Implies that 40 years is too long and action must be taken now to remove Cooper from power — for example: '40 years of Roy Cooper's enough'

Name Calling: Uses Roy Cooper's name in a dismissive, contemptuous framing to discredit him rather than address policy — for example: '40 years of Roy Cooper's enough'

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

Parents across North Carolina are sounding the alarm on Michael Whatley’s ties to convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West. Whatley appointed West to top NC GOP positions, putting party politics above our children’s safety. Michael Whatley should never be in the Senate.

Appeal to Fear: The framing invokes child safety to trigger parental anxiety and fear, implying Whatley poses a danger to children — for example: 'putting party politics above our children's safety'

Loaded Language: The phrase 'convicted child sex offender' is factually charged but deployed here as emotionally loaded language to maximize revulsion and transfer that revulsion to Whatley — for example: 'convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West'

Bandwagon Appeal: Invoking 'Parents across North Carolina' implies a broad consensus of concerned citizens to pressure the reader into sharing the alarm — for example: 'Parents across North Carolina are sounding the alarm'

Card Stacking: The passage presents the appointment as self-evidently damning without context about the nature of the appointment, when it occurred, or whether Whatley knew of West's conviction, omitting information that would complicate the narrative — for example: 'Whatley appointed West to top NC GOP positions'

Black-and-White Fallacy: The absolute declaration that Whatley 'should never be in the Senate' presents a binary outcome with no room for nuance, context, or alternative judgments — for example: 'Michael Whatley should never be in the Senate'

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Parents across North Carolina are raising the alarm on Michael Whatley’s ties to convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West. Whatley appointed West to top NC GOP positions, putting party politics above our children’s safety. Michael Whatley should never be in the Senate.

Appeal to Fear: The framing invokes child safety and a convicted sex offender to trigger parental fear and anxiety about Whatley — for example: 'putting party politics above our children's safety'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase 'Parents across North Carolina' implies a broad, unified group raising concerns, suggesting widespread consensus to pressure the reader — for example: 'Parents across North Carolina are raising the alarm'

Loaded Language: The phrase 'convicted child sex offender' is emotionally charged and chosen to trigger a strong visceral reaction rather than simply convey factual context — for example: 'convicted child sex offender Harvey Lee West'

Black-and-White Fallacy: The absolute declaration that Whatley 'should never be in the Senate' presents a binary outcome with no room for nuance or alternative considerations — for example: 'Michael Whatley should never be in the Senate'

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🚨 The campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley is spotlighting the case of Iryna Zarutska — a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025 — alleging her accused killer, DeCarlos Brown Jr., was among those listed in a 2021 early-release settlement approved under then-Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. Cooper's administration released thousands of inmates under a February 2021 court settlement stemming from an ACLU and NAACP lawsuit filed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Whatley campaign cites a watchdog database, cooperreleasedhim.com, claiming 4,234 inmates were released and that more than half have since reoffended — figures that differ from a 2024 state Sentencing Commission report, which found a 48% recidivism rate among roughly 3,500 released under the settlement. A Cooper campaign spokesperson pushed back, saying "these blatant lies from Republicans have been fact-checked for months and found to be false," and noted that Cooper initially fought the releases in court before the settlement was reached. North Carolina has since enacted Iryna's Law (House Bill 307), overhauling bail and pretrial rules for violent offenders in the wake of Zarutska's death. Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair and close Trump ally, is challenging Cooper for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis in one of the most closely watched races of 2026. Should early-release decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic be a central issue in this Senate race? 👇 #IrynaZarutska #NorthCarolina #RoyCooper #MichaelWhatley #NCSenate #Breaking

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🚨 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley is targeting Democratic rival Roy Cooper's record on voter identification, highlighting multiple vetoes Cooper issued as Governor of North Carolina against voter ID legislation — including a bill that voters had approved by constitutional amendment with more than 55% of the vote. According to Whatley's campaign, Cooper's veto of S.B. 824 was overridden by the Republican-led legislature in 2018, but a half-decade of litigation followed before the voter ID requirement was implemented. Cooper's office also filed lawsuits challenging separate election law measures, including S.B. 512 and S.B. 747. Whatley, the former Chairman of both the North Carolina Republican Party and the Republican National Committee, is also pressing Cooper on his stance toward the federal SAVE America Act — which requires documentary proof of citizenship at voter registration and photo ID at the polls. The bill has passed the House but remains stalled in the Senate. The two are competing in North Carolina's 2026 U.S. Senate race for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. The contest is considered one of Democrats' strongest pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterms. 👇 Do you think proof of citizenship and photo ID should be required to vote — and should a candidate's record on that issue influence your vote? Drop your thoughts below. #VoterID #SAVEAct #NorthCarolina #NCSen #NCPolitics #Breaking

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🚨 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley's campaign is targeting former Gov. Roy Cooper over his 2019 veto of legislation that would have required North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with ICE. Whatley's "Whatley War Room" campaign account says Cooper sided with illegal immigrants and criminals over North Carolinians. Cooper, at the time of his veto, stated: "Current law allows the state to jail and prosecute dangerous criminals regardless of immigration status. This bill, in addition to being unconstitutional, weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents." Republican sources — citing NRSC opposition research — also allege Cooper released more than 3,500 violent criminal offenders during his time as governor, including DeCarlos Brown Jr., who they say murdered a Ukrainian immigrant on her way home from work. Independent verification of that figure is recommended. Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair and Trump-endorsed candidate, has made public safety a centerpiece of his campaign, saying: "We need policies that are going to put more cops on the street... and we need policies that are going to put dangerous criminals behind bars, not back on our streets." Cooper and Whatley are facing off for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. A May 2026 Carolina Journal poll of 600 likely voters showed Cooper leading Whatley 49.8% to 38.7%. The race is projected to be one of the costliest Senate contests in history, potentially exceeding $800 million. Do you think a gubernatorial veto record is fair game in a Senate race? 👇 #NorthCarolina #NCSen #RoyCooper #MichaelWhatley #Senate2026 #Breaking

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🚨 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley is making public safety the centerpiece of his closing argument to North Carolina voters — citing endorsements from the state's largest law enforcement organizations. Whatley received the unanimous endorsement of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, the state's largest law enforcement advocacy group with 17,700 members, in a press event in Raleigh on July 9. His campaign also previously accepted the endorsement of the North Carolina Troopers Association. The endorsements come as Whatley wraps up a 100-county tour across the state ahead of the November 3 general election. His campaign is using those endorsements to draw a contrast with Democratic opponent and former Gov. Roy Cooper over a February 2021 settlement Cooper's administration reached with the ACLU of North Carolina that lowered the state prison population by at least 3,500 inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. A politically funded database, CooperReleasedHim.com, claims a reoffense rate of nearly 57% among those released. Cooper has told reporters he opposed the releases, stating, "First, the court ordered this." A Cooper campaign spokesperson called the Republican attacks "blatant lies" that "have been fact-checked for months and found to be false." The race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is projected to be one of the most expensive Senate contests in the nation's history. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in North Carolina since 2008. What do you think — how much will public safety endorsements matter to North Carolina voters this November? 👇 #NorthCarolina #NCSenate #MichaelWhatley #RoyCooper #PublicSafety #Breaking

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🚨 North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley is attacking Democrat Roy Cooper's criminal justice record as governor, pointing to a COVID-era settlement in which Cooper's administration released roughly 3,500 convicted criminals from prison after being sued by the ACLU and the NAACP. Some reports put the total figure as high as 4,200. A 2024 report from North Carolina's Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission found that the recidivism rate for those released under the settlement reached 48%, higher than the 44% rate for the broader prison population released during fiscal year 2021. Among those released was DeCarlos Brown Jr., who murdered Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on her way home from work. Iryna's Law, named in her memory and signed by Gov. Josh Stein in October 2025, overhauled parts of the state's criminal justice system, tightening pretrial release proceedings and adding new aggravating sentencing factors. Whatley says the law rolls back policies from the Cooper era. Just hours before leaving office, Cooper also commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates, a move that drew sharp criticism from victims' families. Whatley, a former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and close ally of President Trump, has made Cooper's record a central focus of his campaign. A spokesperson for Cooper's campaign called the attacks "blatant lies" that "have been fact-checked for months and found to be false," arguing Cooper fought the releases in court and that law enforcement officials determined who was let go. The North Carolina Senate race, set to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, is projected to be one of the most expensive in the nation's history. Should Cooper's COVID-era criminal justice decisions be a defining issue in this race? 👇 #NorthCarolina #MichaelWhatley #RoyCooper #IrynasLaw #NCSenate #Breaking

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Road to Election Day | Roy Cooper in Guilford County

Hey, we're in Guilford County today. A lot of people are here going door-to-door talking about this campaign. We know we need to get people out to vote. This is going to be a turnout election. If you want to sign up, you want to help us out, go to roycooper.com and volunteer. We need you. Let's win this thing. >> [cheering] >> I think people need to trust government again. And we need people who will serve in government who will earn that trust. Thank you for doing this. I can't tell you. Thank you so much. You got it. You got it. I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for coming. Thanks for doing this. So glad to see you. Look, I'm ready to get this thing done. I'm ready to get I know things seem down. I know there's a lot of things that are near destruction. But when you put your mind to it and you work, you can come together to make a difference. Now, they may have their billionaires, but we got you. Okay? They may have their new joint committee that they can set up under the Supreme Court decision and funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into this state, but we have you. They may have all of their big companies that are sending them big checks, but we have you. We need you to step up because now is the time. And let's go make stuff cost less, right? Let's go win this race, right? >> [applause] >> Thanks, everybody. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it.

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

Roy Cooper Releases New Ad | What's True

Independent fact-checkers [music] call the attacks against Roy Cooper false. Here's what's true. As our attorney general, Roy Cooper locked up violent criminals, sex predators, and drug traffickers. As [music] governor, he bucked his party to oppose defunding the police, worked with Republicans to [music] strengthen bail laws, and partnered with President Trump to crack down on fentanyl. Roy Cooper has always put North Carolina families before [music] politics, and he always will. >> I'm Roy Cooper, and I approve this message.

Card Stacking: Citing 'independent fact-checkers' without naming them or providing specifics selectively invokes authority to dismiss criticism without allowing scrutiny — for example: Independent fact-checkers call the attacks against Roy Cooper false and bucked his party to oppose defunding the police, worked with Republicans to strengthen bail laws.

Loaded Language: The phrase uses emotionally charged labels to evoke strong negative associations and frame Cooper's record favorably by contrast — for example: 'violent criminals, sex predators, and drug traffickers'

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive language about putting 'families before politics' carries no specific policy meaning and functions as rhetorical flourish — for example: 'North Carolina families before politics'

Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking 'North Carolina families' as the in-group implicitly positions Cooper as the champion of local identity against outside or political forces — for example: 'North Carolina families'

Flag-Waving: Patriotic, religious, or in-group identity invoked to validate a position.

Slogans: Catchy phrase used to compress a complex position into an emotionally loaded shorthand.

Watch on YouTube ↗ Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.

Roy Cooper: Releasing Criminals Back on the Street

My son was murdered two and a half years ago [music] here in Charlotte. A coward walked up and got into the passenger side of his car, shot [music] him five times in the face. As the governor, Mr. Cooper was allowing these criminals back on the streets. You're giving him a second chance to go out in the street [music] and do the same thing over again. Is my son going to get a second chance? No, he's never coming back. Mr. Cooper has been [music] in politics for 40 years and things are not changing. >> SLF PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising. [music]

Appeal to Fear: Opening with a personal tragedy of murder establishes an emotional fear-based frame for the political attack that follows — for example: My son was murdered two and a half years ago here in Charlotte, giving him a second chance to go out in the street and do the same thing over again and Is my son going to get a second chance?.

Loaded Language: The word 'coward' is an emotionally charged label, and the graphic detail of being 'shot five times in the face' is designed to provoke visceral emotional reaction rather than convey neutral facts — for example: A coward walked up, shot him five times in the face and these criminals back on the streets.

Scapegoating: Directly blames Governor Cooper for the murder by implying his policies caused criminals to be released, making him personally responsible for complex criminal justice outcomes — for example: 'Mr. Cooper was allowing these criminals back on the streets'.

Black-and-White Fallacy: Presents a false binary: either criminals get second chances or victims do, ignoring the complexity of criminal justice policy — for example: the implicit framing that giving criminals second chances denies victims justice.

Card Stacking: Selectively uses the length of Cooper's political career as evidence of failure, ignoring any policy successes or context — for example: '40 years in politics and things are not changing' implies total ineffectiveness without supporting evidence.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim that 'things are not changing' after 40 years is an absolute overstatement that ignores any measurable changes in policy or outcomes — for example: 'things are not changing'.

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Michael Whatley will put politics aside to lower costs for veterans and North Carolina families.

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Michael Whatley will put North Carolina families first with real solutions to lower costs and expand opportunity.

Glittering Generalities: The sentence uses vague, emotionally positive phrases that sound noble but carry no specific meaning about what policies or actions will actually be taken — for example: 'real solutions to lower costs and expand opportunity'

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We need new leaders like Michael Whatley who are committed to delivering results for our families like lowering costs.

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At Cabarrus County Stop, Republican Candidate Michael Whatley Highlights Democrat Cooper’s Dangerous Soft-On-Crime Record "There are 25 seats at dinner tables across North Carolina that will forever be empty because of Roy Cooper. His reckless release of more than 4,200 hardened criminals from prison placed North Carolinians in jeopardy, including 25 who were killed as a result. Roy Cooper failed at his most basic job of keeping North Carolinians safe, and the blood of these victims is on his hands,” said Michael Whatley. Read more here:

Loaded Language: The headline uses emotionally charged words designed to trigger fear and negative associations rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'Dangerous Soft-On-Crime Record'

Name Calling: The label 'Democrat Cooper' is used in a derogatory framing context, reducing the subject to a party label paired with a negative characterization rather than engaging with policy substance — for example: 'Democrat Cooper's Dangerous Soft-On-Crime Record'

Appeal to Fear: The phrase 'Dangerous Soft-On-Crime Record' is designed to provoke anxiety about public safety and crime, implying voters are at risk — for example: 'Dangerous Soft-On-Crime Record'

Scapegoating: The sentence directly attributes the deaths of 25 people solely to Roy Cooper, reducing a complex criminal justice issue to one person's culpability — for example: because of Roy Cooper and the blood of these victims is on his hands.

Card Stacking: The statement presents the claim that 25 deaths were directly caused by Cooper's release policy as established fact alongside the specific number of 4,200 releases, without noting that the causal link between the releases and the deaths is an unverified assertion — for example: '4,200 hardened criminals... 25 who were killed as a result'

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Would you associate with a convicted sex predator? Would you hire one? Michael Whatley did. He ignored the disturbing conviction of Harvey Lee West, elevating him in the NCGOP. Michael Whatley can’t be trusted in the Senate.

Appeal to Fear: The rhetorical question invokes visceral disgust and fear about associating with a sex predator, priming the audience emotionally before the accusation is made — for example: Would you associate with a convicted sex predator?, Would you hire one? and Michael Whatley can't be trusted in the Senate..

Loaded Language: The phrase 'convicted sex predator' is maximally charged language designed to trigger revulsion rather than convey neutral factual information — for example: convicted sex predator and disturbing conviction.

Name Calling: By immediately following the two rhetorical questions with 'Michael Whatley did,' the sentence transfers the full moral weight of the 'sex predator' framing onto Whatley without nuance — for example: the juxtaposition functions as an implicit derogatory label.

Card Stacking: The sentence presents only the damaging framing — that Whatley 'ignored' the conviction — without any context, counterargument, or qualification about what actually occurred — for example: omitting any explanation of Whatley's knowledge or intent.

Repetition: The name 'Michael Whatley' is repeated across sentences 3 and 5 (and implied in 4) to anchor the negative associations firmly to the individual through deliberate rhetorical repetition — for example: 'Michael Whatley did... Michael Whatley can't be trusted.'

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Michael Whatley will work to lower the cost of living to help North Carolina families achieve their American Dream.

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Michael Whatley understands that lowering costs will help North Carolina’s veterans and unleash a stronger economy.

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive framing around 'helping veterans' and 'unleashing a stronger economy' without any specific policy detail — for example: 'unleash a stronger economy'

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You can count on Michael Whatley to advocate for real solutions that lower the cost of living in North Carolina.

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