You don’t have to like Josh Stein to appreciate this

The governor's Colbert appearance showed a surprising understanding of how to use the office well

I’m still not quite sure what to make of Gov. Josh Stein. But after eight years of a scorched-earth governor — it’s kind of nice to see how the new guy is approaching things.

Six months in to the job, Stein is taking a different approach to the state’s highest office. He hasn’t picked fights, publicly threatened opponents or wielded the veto pen like a cudgel. Heck, he even came out in support of the N.C. House budget.

Stein is still plenty liberal, but he seems to treat those policy disagreements as a secondary issue.

His appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert was another example.