As tens of thousands rallied at the nation's Capitol, several hundred conservatives gathered in downtown Raleigh Saturday to bone up on conservative policy and strategies, and seek inspiration from some of the movement's stars.

Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund gave speeches, and local conservatives hosted more than a dozen workshops on topics such as health-care reform, taxes, government transparency and same-sex marriage.

"We want to train grass-roots activists and educate people about conservative solutions to public issues," said Francis De Luca, executive director of Civitas, the Raleigh-based think tank that hosted the conference. (N&O)

The plaza in front of the Legislative Building echoed Tuesday morning with a rarely heard cry: Raise our taxes, please.

More than 100 leaders and supporters of nonprofits, service organizations and professional associations warned of the likely damage from the sort of budget cuts being discussed by lawmakers. Many of the groups rely on state government for at least a portion of their funding or for their members' salaries.

"It's about preserving the public investments that keep our communities safe," said Kelvin Spragley, associate executive director of the N.C. Association of Educators.

Speakers at the rally cautioned that a recession is when North Carolinians turn to the government for help, such as a community college course to train for finding a new job or support programs, such as child care, that enable them to keep their jobs.

Francis DeLuca, executive director of the conservative Civitas Institute, said prioritizing spending is the answer, not taxes.

"North Carolinians as a whole are suffering," DeLuca said, "and don't want their taxes raised."

The presidential race in North Carolina is too close to call.

A new poll by the conservative Civitas Institute shows Democrat Barack Obama with 47 percent, Republican John McCain with 46 percent and Libertarian Bob Barr with three percent.

Five percent were undecided.

"All three races are too close to call and are inside the margin of error of our polling," said executive director Francis De Luca. "With very few days remaining until the election, two big factors will decide the outcome of all three races — who votes and which way the remaining undecided voters break."

Polls taken in the last month generally have generally showed Obama ahead by one to seven points, though McCain has been ahead in two recent polls and the two were tied in another. 

The survey of 600 likely voters was taken on Oct. 27-29 by Tel Opinion Research of Alexandria, Va. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

Francis DeLuca says the Queen City Curse is not the only one.

Although much has been made of the failed attempts of Charlotte mayors to win statewide office, the executive director of the Civitas Institute points out that a number of lieutenant governors have lost their bids for governor.

1976 - Lt. Gov. Jim Hunt won the general election for governor
1984 - Lt. Gov. Jimmy Green lost the Democratic Primary
1988 - Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan lost the general election
1992 - Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner lost the general election
2000 - Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker lost the Democratic Primary
2008 - Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue won the Democratic Primary but is in a close general election

He also notes that while none of the Charlotte politicians won a statewide election, every lieutenant governor won at least won general election.

"Looking at the inability of seasoned statewide politicians to move up to the Governor's mansion leads me to only one conclusion — there is a curse on Lieutenant Governors who try and become governor," he writes.

The gubernatorial race remains close.

In a recent poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, Democrat Beverly Perdue had 40 percent, Republican Pat McCrory had 39 percent and Libertarian Mike Munger had 2 percent. 

Eighteen percent were undecided.

“With the high number of undecided voters, this race is either candidate’s to win.  Despite a barrage of television advertising over the last several weeks, it is still wide open as to who voters think should be the next governor of North Carolina," said executive director Francis De Luca.

The live interviewer poll of 600 likely voters was conducted Sept. 6-10. The margin of error is 4.2 percentage points.

John McCain is still in the lead.

According to a recent poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, the Republican presidential candidate had 46 percent support, while Democrat Barack Obama had 40 percent and Libertarian Bob Barr had two percent.

Twelve percent were undecided.

That matches other recent polls, which have also shown McCain in the lead despite nearly $2 million in recent ad spending by Obama. 

"While Obama and his campaign have talked about North Carolina being in play, the numbers do not seem to be indicating that is happening on the ground despite an unprecedented effort," said executive director Francis DeLuca.  

The live poll of 600 registered voters was conducted Aug. 14-17 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Va. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

John McCain is ahead of Barack Obama by five points.

According to a recent poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, McCain had 44 percent, while Obama had 39 percent. Eighteen percent were not sure.

In addition, McCain had a stronger Republican base, with 77 percent of members of his party saying they would support him, while Obama had just 58 percent of the Democratic base.

The poll did not include any questions about Hillary Clinton, who is still running for the Democratic nomination despite being behind in delegates.

"At this time, Senator Obama clearly has a problem with the base Democratic voter in North Carolina,” said Francis DeLuca, Civitas' executive director. "Obama is failing to recapture the Hillary voters to broaden his appeal."

The live survey of 800 likely voters was conducted May 14-17 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Va. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Respondents voted in the 2002, 2004 or 2006 general elections or registered since 2006. 

Two-thirds of North Carolinians think they're paying too much in taxes.

According to the April DecisionMaker Poll by the conservative Civitas Institute, 66 percent of likely voters think state taxes are too high for the services they receive.

Twenty-nine percent believe taxes are about right, and only 2 percent said they are too low.

"North Carolina residents overwhelming agree that they are not getting back in services what they are paying in taxes," said Executive Director Francis DeLuca in a statement.

The results were released today because federal taxes are due. 

The survey of 800 registered voters was conducted April 9-10 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Va. Respondents voted in either the 2002, 2004 or 2006 general elections or registered since 2006.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percent. 

A new poll shows Beverly Perdue and Richard Moore in a dead heat.

The Civitas Institute's April DecisionMaker poll shows Moore with 37 percent of Democratic voters and Perdue with 36 percent. Twenty-eight percent were undecided.

“We are definitely seeing the effects of TV advertising and it appears Richard Moore has made the Democratic primary a competitive race," said executive director Francis DeLuca in a statement. He added that the large number of undecided voters means the race is still "wide open."

In a February poll by the conservative think tank, Perdue had 28 percent; Moore, 23 percent. Most other polls have shown Perdue ahead.

The live survey of 800 registered voters was conducted Aprll 9-10 by TelOpinion Research of Virginia. Voters had to have voted in either the 2002, 2004 or 2006 general election or registered since 2006.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percent. 

Americans for Prosperity has a new director for its state chapter.

Dallas Woodhouse, who has been a spokesman for the group, has been named to replace Francis DeLuca, who recently stepped down as director.

The nonprofit fights for lower taxes and more efficient government.