McCrory: "I really want to" run in 2012

Pat McCrory didn't say yes today. But he said everything but. 

Would he run again in 2012?  

"I really want to," McCrory said, adding that he's been traveling around the state to gauge support for a repeat match-up with Democratic Governor Bev Perdue. McCrory lost to Perdue in 2008, but he won more votes than many observers thought he would.  

McCrory sat down with WRAL anchor David Crabtree and me this afternoon for a taping of tomorrow's "On The Record." He may not be ready to call himself a candidate yet, but he certainly acted like one, coming out swinging against Perdue at every opportunity.

The former Queen City mayor had high praise for his fellow Charlottean, House Speaker Thom Tillis. While he says the new Speaker should keep the redistricting process as open as possible, he also tried to deflect recent criticism over closed-door House GOP "policy meetings" Tillis initiated.

"They're not publicly announced," McCrory conceded when pressed. "But everyone knew about them."     

As for 2012, McCrory said, the final decision rests with his wife, who isn't drawn to the political spotlight.  (We offered to call her to see what she'd say, but no go.)

Watch the the full conversation from Saturday's "On the Record:"