* By percent, how much N.C. likes recent presidents in a poll: Reagan (44), Obama (29), Clinton (18), W. Bush (6), H.W. Bush (3).

* Liberal commentator Chris Fitzsimon, among others, takes issue with N&O/Char-O story about a "liberal shift" in the state legislature.

* Greensboro News-Record columnist Doug Clark argues that George Holding should be allowed to stay on the Easley, Edwards cases.

* U.S. Sen. Richard Burr finds "being the minority is liberating" because the majority sets the agenda and he can "delve into policy." 

* N.C. Transportation Secretary Gene Conti pushes federal government for more high-speed rail north and south of the Triangle.

* Liberal commentator Chris Fitzsimon says the big story of the week was spending targets set by House budget writers behind the scenes.

* Greensboro News-Record columnist Doug Clark thinks the Racial Justice Act is just an attempt to do away with the death penalty. 

* The Terri Schiavo Act had its name changed in committee to the Advanced Directives on Drivers License bill. 

* N&O editorial writer Allen Torrey wonders whether it's really that much of a hardship to not buy liquor on Sundays, praises Chick-fil-A.

* Liberal commentator Chris Fitzsimon (sarcastically) suggests selling lottery tickets at unemployment offices and social services departments.

* Conservative Civitas think tank once again finds that many North Carolinians don't know which party controls the legislature. (It's Democrats, btw.)

* N.C. chapter of the NAACP confirms to the Wilmington Journal that it's looking into Sen. Kay Hagan's firing of two staffers.  

* The N.C. Bear Hunters Association tells Gov. Beverly Perdue it'll help out next time she has a run in with a bear.

* Local governments in Transylvania County are interested in building homes to provide to local school teachers.

* Consultant Gary Pearce tells a fascinating story about oilman Walter Davis sending $20,000 in cash to Jim Hunt. (They sent it back.) 

* Liberal columnist Chris Fitzsimon hails a survey of CEOs by Chief Executive Magazine that finds North Carolina No. 2 for business climate.

Reaction from the capitol pundits on the State of the State:

* Conservative columnist John Hood said he appreciated Gov. Beverly Perdue's "call for fiscal conservatism" and an end to "business as usual" at the legislature, but wonders if state lawmakers are ready to follow.

* Liberal columnist Chris Fitzsimon said that Perdue didn't say anything about raising taxes to "protect vital services" and predicted that "market fundamentalists" were gleefully anticipating devastating cuts to the state budget.

* Conservative advocate Francis De Luca said that he appreciated Perdue's creation of a Web site with information about how the state is spending stimulus money and her remark that the state will have to cut programs.

* Liberal blogger Greg Flynn said that he "read the speech twice" to find specifics, but he'll have to wait for the budget to see the "big cuts" on the spending side, instead of revenue reform to broaden the tax base. 

* Cigar-smoking restaurateur says he has no regrets about opening two smoke-free places in Fayetteville, though one customer wanted to fight.

* WUNC reporter Laura Leslie notes that Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton's daughter, Elizabeth, has been a registered lobbyist for eight years.

* Republican consultant Carter Wrenn gives some more advice to Senate Republicans about how to hold the governor's feet to the fire on probation problems.

* Liberal commentator Chris Fitzsimon notices a "puzzling" entry on a list of politicians who should be considered for the U.S. Supreme Court: Mike Easley.

* Probation supervisor in Harnett County assigned regional managers to spend two days investigating an overturned potted plant in her office.

* Legislative aide for Sen. David Hoyle who joined the "steno pool" in 1959 celebrates a half-century of working at the General Assembly this week.

* Liberal columnist Chris Fitzsimon notes that 75 percent of the 78,000 state employees make less than $50,000 a year, 26 percent less than $30,000. 

* Winston-Salem Journal reporter James Romoser signs off (for now) on his always entertaining Trail Mix blog, citing lack of, you know, elections. 

Chris Fitzsimon of N.C Policy Watch is one of the leading liberal voices in the state capital.

He is also something of a poet and has written a politically-influenced take-off on "A Visit from St. Nicholas," otherwise known as "The Night Before Christmas."

Here is an excerpt dealing with Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue.

"Twas the week before Christmas, and through the Carolina mist,
The new Sheriff in town was making her list.
Who's been naughty or nice, who knows who and who gave,
For those well-connected, a position they must save.
Change swept through D.C, not much to Raleigh came
Some faces are new, but the real power's the same.
Big business can get in doors, through which they want to go,
To sign off on an appointment, or use their veto.
Bev's promising to find the best for each and every position,
Let’s hope that's the reason for the frustrating transition."

Chris Fitzsimon says Dempsey Benton may not be leaving after all.

In a column on the N.C. Policy Watch Web site, the liberal commentator says the current secretary of Health and Human Services' retirement announcement may have come too soon.

Even things that seem to be decided may not be. Perdue announced two weeks ago that current Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton would not be staying on the job, but now there are reports that she is rethinking that decision and considering asking Benton to stay.  The sticking point may be Benton's willingness to commit to serving in the job for the length of Perdue's first term.

Longtime Dome readers know what's next: The Magic Eight Ball.

We asked the cheap toy if Benton would stay. It's response: "Outlook good." 

Senate leader Marc Basnight's recommendation to lead the transportation department has Chris Fitzsimon thinking of ideas for other cabinet posts.

How about Randy Parton to lead Cultural Resources?

The satirical nomination from Fitzsimon, executive director of N.C. Policy Watch, comes after Basnight said he supports Lanny Wilson for Secretary of Transportation. Basnight suggested the pick to Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue.

"Wilson may be a nice guy, but he is the epitome of a DOT political insider, the folks who have run the department for years and damaged its credibility with the public," Fitzsimon writes on the Fitzsimon File. "Wilson is exactly the kind of guy Perdue promised not to appoint if she was serious about her plans for DOT reform."

Wilson is an attorney and developer who gave $38,800 to Democratic candidates this election cycle, including $4,000 to Perdue. He also gave $21,000 to the State Democratic Party. He is used to donating.

Wilson gave more than $175,000 to Democratic politicians from 1999-2006 and raised untold thousands more. Governor Mike Easley appointed Wilson to the N.C. Real Estate Commission. Senate President Pro Tem Basnight appointed him to the N.C. Turnpike Authority.

Wilson also has a home on exclusive Figure Eight Island and hosted a dinner there for members of the 21^st Century Transportation Committee earlier this year. A group of homeowners at Figure Eight have formed a political action committee and hired lobbyists to overturn the state law that prohibits seawalls off the shore. The beach is eroding in front of some of the palatial estates on the islands. Seawalls are banned in front of beach property because they increase the erosion down the coastline.

How about it? Any other suggestions (serious or otherwise) for cabinet posts?