A draft on Easley

The first draft of a biography of Gov. Mike Easley included wording that was later cut at the suggestion of the governor's press office.

In the attached document, wording that was struck from author Michael Hill's original Aug. 15, 2006, draft of Easley's entry in "The Governors of North Carolina" is highlighted in yellow.

It includes Easley's boyhood reputation "for making mischief," his mild learning disability, his loss of class action suits challenging state taxes as attorney general, his unsuccessful 1990 U.S. Senate bid, information on his gubernatorial campaigns and his delay in filling Cabinet posts.

"In his campaign Easley maintained an independent stance, choosing not to seek the backing of traditional support groups. The atypical style led to a perception that he disliked campaigning," read one sentence that was cut.

Not all of the cuts were negative. At the suggestion of the governor's office, the final draft left out that he faced threats for his convictions of drug dealers.

To read the published version of the biography, click here.