Barack Obama is criticizing John McCain's tactics in a new robocall.

In an automated call to North Carolina voters, a supporter of the Democratic presidential candidate accuses McCain of running a "dishonorable campaign."

The call, recorded by WUNC reporter Laura Leslie, features Lenny Julius, an Emerald Isle man who met with Obama backstage before his speech at the Democratic national convention in Denver.

"I used to support John McCain. In fact, I served with him in the Navy," he says. "But this year, he's running a dishonorable campaign. This election should be about policies and ideas, not about vicious personal attacks."

After the jump, the script.

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DENVER — North Carolina's Democratic delegates moved through a morning buffet line this week, enjoying a free breakfast courtesy of AT&T. All, that is, except a handful of state legislators and staffers.

They paid $22 for the same plate of bacon, eggs and fruit.

"It gets to be absurd," says state Rep. Dan Blue of Raleigh. "I don't mind paying for breakfast, and I don't mind paying twice what the breakfast was worth. But you have to wonder why."

The reason is a "gift ban" included in a 2006 state ethics law that governs what legislators can accept from outside parties. It's similar to new federal restrictions on members of Congress. The laws offer a confusing thicket of regulations just as opportunities for gifts, free meals and entertainment abound at the national conventions. The nonprofit Sunlight Foundation has tracked more than 400 parties at both the Democratic and Republican conventions.

The Democrats finished their convention Thursday night in Denver with a speech by presidential nominee Barack Obama. The Republicans start their convention Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Republican nominee John McCain is expected to announce his nominee for vice president today.

This week in Denver, Gerry Cohen, a legislative employee who is the top bill-drafter and is a member of the Democratic Party's platform committee, has also had to comply with the new state laws. He compares it with his experience as a student caught up in protests at the 1968 Chicago convention.

"Dealing with the tear gas was easier than trying to figure out the ethics laws," he says. (Char-O)

John Edwards may not be at the Democratic National Convention, but that doesn't mean he isn't part of the conversation.

David Letterman had some fun at Edwards' expense last night with his Top 10 Democratic National Convention Pickup Lines. The number one pickup line?

"Hi, I'm John Edwards."

Cue the band.

DENVER – Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan may have skipped the Democratic National Convention, but her challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole continues to generate interest here.

“I'm adopting you,” U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat from Missouri, told North Carolina's delegates this morning. “I'm sold, totally 100 percent sold, on Kay Hagan."

McCaskill compared her own election two years ago to that of Hagan, saying in both cases no one initially thought the Democrat had a chance against a Republican incumbent, reports Rob Christensen.

McCaskill also dissed Dole, noting that they both serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“I serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee,” McCaskill said. “I just don't see her that often. We have that in common.”

DENVER - The great state of North Carolina, home of the First Flight, yada, yada, yada.

Never happened.

North Carolina never had a chance Wednesday night to announce its vote for Barack Obama after he was nominated by acclamation, reports Rob Christensen.

The North Carolina vote was to have been announced at the Democratic National Convention by state party chairman Jerry Meek, Gov. Mike Easley and U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield.

While most now support Obama's candidacy, they traveled different paths to get there. A Congressman, a state legislator and a delegate highlight how expectations of black people may depend on when they grew up.

Many older people were initially cautious, skeptical that the country was ready. For many younger blacks, Obama represented a generation more optimistic about the possibility of biracial politics.

Veteran North Carolina black leaders such as U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield and U.S. Rep. Mel Watt of Charlotte initially endorsed former Sen. John Edwards. Younger blacks, such as state Rep. Ty Harrell of Raleigh and Sidney Echevarria, a Bank of America worker from Belmont, were more likely to sign on early with Obama. (N&O)

Not all convention experiences are the same, says Rob Black, a Democratic delegate from Apex.

State delegates and Washington D.C. insiders can share a city for a week, but their activities beyond the convention floor vary greatly, he said.

“It’s apples and oranges,” said Black, 39.

Black should know. This is his fifth convention, but his first as a delegate.

Black spent years working in Washington and had attended conventions since 1992 because they had something to do with his job.

“If you come from D.C. as a Beltway politico, you are much more plugged in to the parties,” he said. “They are the coin of the realm for D.C. politicos. If you come from the states, you’re not as plugged in to the social circuit or the buzz as to what the hottest party is.”

Black, who owns a political communications and lobbying firm that specializes in labor union work, called Dome this afternoon from a light rail station.

The North Carolina delegation was put in a hotel some miles from downtown Denver, but close to the rail line.

That’s what the delegation is using most to get around, he said.

DENVER - Gov. Mike Easley and First Lady Mary Easley are often not at their seats on the convention floor of the Pepsi Center.

State Democratic Chairman Jerry Meek implored the state's delegates this morning not to sit in the seats reserved for the Easleys, reports Rob Christensen.

"If you want to sit in the governor's seat, there is a process for that,” Meek quipped.

DENVER – Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius stopped by a meeting of the North Carolina delegation this morning and made a pitch for the Tar Heel state to change senators.

“You have an opportunity to retire Sen. Dole,” said Sibelius. “Kay Hagan will make a fabulous U.S. senator.”

Dole, of course, has long-time ties to Kansas, where her husband Bob Dole, represented the state in the Senate, reports Rob Christensen.

Sebelius, who was regarded as one of Barack Obama's finalists for vice president, also put in a plug for the national ticket.

“John McCain is obviously more of the same,” Sebelius said. “If you are hurting under George Bush, will hurt more under John McCain.”