Raleigh, N.C. — Democratic and liberal groups have been keen to tie Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory to Republican legislative leaders. They want to force McCrory to own some of the more unpopular actions of his GOP colleagues.

House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, handed folks making that case something of a gift earlier this month when he appeared on WTPF's Bill Lumaye Show.

Asked whether legislative Republicans were trying to coordinate their messages with McCrory, Tillis said, they would be.

"I speak with Pat (McCrory) almost every day. I met with him last Saturday at the state convention. And we're working right now to put all those messages together," Tillis said. 

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, a Democrat, raised the substance of that interview during Saturday's debate. Asked about it after the debate, McCrory dismissed the claim.

"No, I do not speak to House Speaker Tillis every day. He doesn't have the time, nor do I," McCrory said. 

Certainly those two statements seem to conflict. So how soon before Democrats are calling for phone records in BFF-gate?