McCrory accepts GOP nomination for gov.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has formally accepted the Republican party's nomination for North Carolina governor.

The News & Observer reports that McCrory accepted the nomination at the state GOP's convention in Greensboro.

McCrory recalled growing up in the state in the late 1960s and said North Carolina had lost his reputation for good roads, good schools and low taxes. He blamed the Democrat who defeated him in 2008 for the same office, Gov. Beverly Perdue, as well as Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and former Gov. Mike Easley.

Dalton is the Democratic nominee this year.

McCrory told about 2,000 delegates and guests that the problem was "the Perdue-Easley machine and the Perdue-Dalton machine."

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was represented at the gathering by businessman Donald Trump, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Pawlenty said in a luncheon address that Republicans are tired of Democrats "kicking the shins of our entrepreneurs and job creators in our country."