In case there was any doubt as to the political importance of the debate about taxes, incentives, and economic development in North Carolina, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Cobey has been attracting significant media coverage in the past 24 hours in the wake of disclosures that RJ Reynolds will cut its purchase of NC-produced tobacco just after receiving a special incentives package from state politicians. Gov. Mike Easley is scrambling to respond, as will be other legislators. In fairness, most of the other Republicans wanting to take on Easley have been equally critical of special incentives and in favor of across-the-board tax reduction. Cobey’s folks appear to have been more nimble in this case.