Weekend Roundup: Democratic Party scandal fueled by political currents

In this column, Rob Christensen explores the undercurrents fueling the state Democratic Party scandal. No. 1: The current train crash at Democratic Headquarters on Hillsborough Street has been made worse by the disconnect between the governor and the party. No 2: Part of being a battleground state is that North Carolina is now hard-wired into Washington, D.C., politics – which means it is hard ball and fast. Any allegation of misconduct becomes fodder for the opposition, which can be counted upon to do it’s best to make a photograph of a penis into Weinergate. Read the full column here.

In other weekend headlines:

--Here's a primer for the John Edwards trial, which is scheduled to start Monday with all the trappings of a Greek drama.

--The Democratic candidates courted black voters Saturday in a Durham forum. The reliable Democratic voting bloc could help determine the May 8 primary outcome.

--At the same time, black voters are splitting with Democrats on the marriage amendment -- and helping to boost polling numbers showing the constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions is likely to pass next month. Read more from The Charlotte Observer here.

--Republican leaders in the General Assembly said they will continue to try to repeal the Racial Justice Act, regardless of the first court ruling in the controversial law.

--A group of state retirees is suing the state employee health plan for breach of contract for changing or dropping the health care plans in which they were enrolled. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake is the lead plaintiff in the suit, first in a group that includes retired teachers, school administrators, SBI agents, office clerks and others.

--Gov. Bev Perdue and lawmakers are still at odds on higher ferry tolls.