The Roy Cooper inmate scandal hasn't broken through

It feels huge among the online right, but in the normal world, it’s barely registering. Here’s what would change that.

Over the past two weeks, it felt like the news about former Gov. Roy Cooper and his “secret list” of inmates released from prison was everywhere. But I always have to remind myself that the internet bubble I occupy isn’t the same one the rest of North Carolina is living in.

That’s why I often trade notes with my wife. Her algorithm is a lot more “normie,” I’d say, and this story simply hasn’t shown up. Not even a little. And if it’s not showing up there, I’m skeptical it’s showing up in most households that aren’t already plugged in.

As far as I can tell, the average North Carolina voter still has no idea.

Even some of the broader “public mood” indicators look flat. Polymarket is one example. I don’t condone gambling, but as a rough barometer of what politically attentive people think is happening, it can be useful. And there hasn’t even been a blip in the market for months.