Beverly Perdue is trying to offset recent ads critical of Charlotte.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate has taken some heat from her opponent and Charlotte officials for a recent ad arguing that Republican Pat McCrory cares more about the Queen City than the rest of the state, though a Democratic pollster says it may be helping her in other parts of the state. 

To counteract the publicity, Perdue's campaign has been pushing a letter to the editor signed by Charlotte's mayor pro tem Susan Burgess, a Democrat.

"I know both candidates personally," she wrote. "I served with Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory on the City Council for seven years, and I've seen first-hand Perdue's work as lt. governor. She is the leader we need during these difficult times."

In an interesting twist, the letter ran yesterday in the Durham Herald-Sun — 145 miles from Charlotte. 

Editorial boards of the state's major newspapers are making their endorsements in the Senate race.

Here are links to the major unsigned editorials written so far about Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Kay Hagan.

Raleigh News & Observer: Hagan. "She is well-informed, not just well-meaning. She is astute. Her record in Raleigh indicates she knows how to make a legislative system work. It forecasts a promising career in the U.S. Senate."

Charlotte Observer: Hagan. "We believe she offers citizens the better hope of having an effective and independent voice in the Senate. She also offers them a voice that is more closely attuned to everyday life in North Carolina."

Asheville Citizen-Times: Hagan. "North Carolina needs and deserves a senator who stays in touch with her constituents and the changing dynamics of a fast-growing state. And it deserves a knowledgeable, collaborative, but forceful voice in the U.S. Senate."

Greensboro News-Record: Hagan. "She's responsive to constituents, communicates well, works hard, comprehends complex issues, makes good decisions and is not content to be average. She can become an outstanding U.S. senator."

Winston-Salem Journal: Hagan. "Hagan, 55, is a bundle of brains and energy. A lawyer and former banker, she has been a leader in the state Senate almost since the day she entered 10 years ago."

Wilmington Star-News: Hagan. "Washington is a lot different from Raleigh, but a knowledgeable, energetic and assertive politician such as Hagan can provide strong representation."

Durham Herald-Sun: Hagan. "Her record after 10 years in the General Assembly is pro-business and pro-education, with a deep streak of practicality."

Greenville Daily Reflector: Hagan. "She brings experience to this race that lacks a national profile, but aptly demonstrates her comfort with the legislative process and the capable leadership she brings to it."

High Point Enterprise: Hagan. "Over the span of Hagan's legislative career, we've seen a state senator committed to and capable of getting things done for the people she represents — and even once represented." 

Wilson Times: Hagan. "What sets Hagan above Dole is the fact that she has spent most of her life living and working in North Carolina. She has served her constituents in Greensboro well and has assembled a team that will work to represent the interests of all North Carolinians."

Editorial boards of the state's major newspapers are making their endorsements in the governor's race.

Here are links to the major unsigned editorials written so far about Republican Pat McCrory and Democrat Beverly Perdue:

Charlotte Observer: McCrory. "McCrory would bring an urgently needed energy to the office. While we don't agree with him on every issue, he knows where he stands on most aspects of state government and why he stands there."

Raleigh News & Observer: McCrory. "Bev Perdue is a good candidate, but McCrory suits the moment. He's loaded with energy and fresh ideas. On several levels, he could be just what this state needs."

Asheville Citizen-Times: McCrory. "Though we disagree with him on some issues, we recommend McCrory because we believe he is best suited to lead the state in meeting the challenges that confront it as a result of rapid growth."

Greensboro News-Record: McCrory. "But McCrory is steadier and more assured on the issues. He takes a more meat-and-potatoes approach to leadership, a pattern that has played out more often than not in Charlotte. That's what the state needs in its next governor."

Winston-Salem Journal: McCrory. "A city-oriented governor, we believe, will help shape policies for the kind of state North Carolina is now and will be during this century."

Durham Herald-Sun: McCrory. "One of McCrory's strengths for voters in Durham and the Triangle is his familiarity with urban issues. He knows about the problems cities like Durham face, including crime, poverty and transportation."

High Point Enterprise: McCrory. "It is McCrory's demonstration in Charlotte of the kind of leadership and vision that moves people, communities and states forward - working together - that makes him stand out as the candidate who should become North Carolina's next governor."

Wilson Times: McCrory. "During the state's gubernatorial debates, several of which were skipped by Perdue, McCrory has come across as a pragmatic leader who could translate his executive experience in Charlotte to the statehouse in Raleigh."

Wilmington Star-News: Perdue. "Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue communicates a keener appreciation of what ordinary North Carolinians are going through at this difficult time, possibly because her pre-political background in education and health care put her in contact with people whose voices go unheard in Raleigh."

Greenville Daily Reflector: Perdue. "As a resident of the East, she knows the plight of towns and cities here, and recognizes that job creation and a strong investment in infrastructure and education remain the best course for this region."

Southern Pines Pilot: Perdue. "All things considered, North Carolina would be better off with a highly qualified governor who can hit the ground running and won't require a lot of on-the-job training. That candidate is Bev Perdue."

Editorial boards of the state's major newspapers are making their endorsements in the presidential race.

Here are links to the major unsigned editorials written so far about Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

Asheville Citizen-Times: Obama. "Obama's tax proposals are more favorable to the beleaguered middle class, his energy policies more likely to result in job creation and eventual energy independence and his plan to address the health care crisis more likely to result in a healthier nation."

Raleigh News & Observer: Obama. "His would be a government of thought before deed and of strength given by the people, not just exercised from above."

Charlotte Observer: Obama. "His intellect, his calm, rational approach to difficult issues, his coolness during the heat of debate and his sense of humor and humility offer something millions of Americans have yearned for in national politics – the ability to examine issues thoughtfully, to listen to competing interests and to develop solutions that more closely meet the needs of all." 

Wilmington Star-News: Obama. "Barack Obama has demonstrated that he is ready for the challenge. For starters, his economic plan addresses the worries of regular Americans while recognizing that it's important to invest in industries that will create the jobs of the future."

Durham Herald-Sun: Obama. "Obama's ability to energize millions of young voters to take part in the process, his ability to define an optimistic vision for this country reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's rhetorical gifts, his empathy for those citizens ... all are sources of encouragement for what an Obama presidency can be."

Greenville Daily Reflector: Obama. "Obama has responded by relentlessly seeking to raise the level of public discourse and by focusing on the path toward an America that lives up to its promise as the greatest, most prosperous nation in history."

Pat McCrory's campaign says Beverly Perdue is misquoting him.

At a forum on rural issues today, Perdue cited a 2000 article in the Durham Herald-Sun in which McCrory said the state's transportation policies were encouraging sprawl.

Perdue argued that McCrory was saying the state should not build roads to rural areas.

But campaign manager Richard Hudson said the quote was taken out of context.

"Pat was talking about urban sprawl where big cities expand out and take over rural areas," he said. "It wouldn't make sense to say rural areas are sprawling and taking over urban areas."

He said McCrory's transportation plan would call for long-range planning that removes the politics from road decisions made by the state Board of Transportation.

"The DOT board has become an ATM for politicians like Beverly Perdue," he said.

Beverly Perdue argued that Pat McCrory would widen the urban-rural divide.

At the 2008 Rural Partners Forum at the North Raleigh Hilton this afternoon, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate targeted the Charlotte mayor over his past statements on rural and urban issues.

She cited a 2000 interview with McCrory by the Durham Herald-Sun in which he argued that state policy's on paving roads were encouraging sprawl.

"I want paved roads in my community — I don't know about you," Perdue said.

She also cited an episode of "Agenda Charlotte," a cable TV talk show that McCrory used to host, in which he said that rural interests had joined together to get state funding.

"I don't know about you, but I think that kind of divide-and-conquer mentality has no place in North Carolina," she said.

"If I'm elected governor, I intend to be governor of all of North Carolina," she said.

McCrory is slated to speak to the forum on Friday.

Update: "The Lt. Governor is proving that a negative campaign about nothing will lose to a positive campaign about issues every time," said McCrory spokesman Richard Hudson. 

Pat McCrory said the state's road policies were encouraging sprawl.

According to a March 18, 2000, article in the Durham Herald-Sun, the Republican gubernatorial candidate made the statement at a meeting of state mayors in Charlotte:

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who heads the transit committee on the state's 37-member Smart Growth commission, said some of the state's own planning and transportation policies of the past have led to present problems.

For example, he questioned the state's policy of building paved roads to every North Carolina community. "We've always been known as the good roads state, and this encourages sprawl," McCrory said.

He asked the other mayors to share their ideas so he could bring it to the full commission's attention.

Democrat Beverly Perdue cited the article at a forum this afternoon, arguing that McCrory would not build roads to rural communities. 

Barack Obama's campaign has announced only one mayoral endorsement in North Carolina.

More announcements will roll out in the next few weeks, however.

According to a March 11 story in the Durham Herald-Sun, Durham Mayor Bill Bell has taken the lead in persuading other mayors to back Obama.

That's probably in part payback for Obama's endorsement of Bell before the November mayoral race.

Along with Bell and Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, the story also quotes Bell saying Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson and Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton have endorsed Obama.

"Bell said there are other mayors who have 'committed but not come out publicly yet' for Obama, in towns both large and small," wrote reporter Ray Gronberg.

Derald Hafner is an economics buff.

Apart from his membership in a "natural economic law" group and his desire to dismantle the Federal Reserve, the candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 13th Congressional District also wrote an econ-heavy letter to the Durham Herald-Sun.

The letter, which ran on Sept. 15, 2003, references 18th century French economics theorist Jean-Baptiste Say in response to a column about free trade:

Another point Williams muddles through is the issue of producers and consumers. Say's Law of the Markets logically indicates we want our producers to be well paid for their products. Then the producer will be able to consume the same products. Cheap products mean cheap labor. Read third world labor.

Dome will get back to you once we figure out what he's talking about.

The full text of the letter after the jump.

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It's safe to say that Charles Heatherly is not a fan of Richard Moore.

In a guest column in the Durham Herald-Sun Saturday, the former deputy state treasurer questioned the Democratic gubernatorial candidate's handling of the state pension fund.

"Despite Moore's frequent claims that North Carolina's pension trust fund is the second best funded in the nation, there is evidence that this claim may be overly optimistic," he writes.

It is not the first time Heatherly, who retired in 2001, has raised questions about Moore.

* In an Oct. 14, 2002, guest column in the N&O, he argued that the pension fund is not "sound" and attributed gains to Moore's predecessor, Harlan Boyles.

* In a Jan. 9, 2004, guest column in the N&O, he called Moore's TV ads for the state's unclaimed property fund "thinly disguised political ads."

* In a March 3, 2006, guest column in the N&O, he criticized Moore's political fundraising and called reports on the pension fund "overly optimistic."

He's also been quoted on those issues in several news articles.