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."

Beverly Perdue's campaign says she was talking about bank deposits.

Earlier, we noted that the state Republican Party was criticizing the Democratic gubernatorial candidate for saying that North Carolina's banks were stable on Friday.

But a Perdue staffer says the Greenville newspaper quoted her out of context. They say she was talking about the security of consumer deposits under the FDIC.

The Perdue campaign provided this transcript of that portion of the interview:

"Our banks are very stable and you've heard about it on television for the last three weeks especially that there hasn't been a bankruptcy where the people lost their money. The insurance is there. And even this morning they assured all the customers of Washington that they will be fine. It's the stock owners who will lose their money."

"I think it proves that everything can be rattled by an economic crisis.  And in North Carolina the crisis started as you know in the early 2000's with globalization and all of the jobs we lost to foreign countries and we built those jobs back through education and science and technology."

Dome is checking with the Reflector about the accuracy of that transcript. 

Beverly Perdue said Friday that North Carolina banks are stable.

In a visit to the Greenville Daily Reflector, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate said she's heard from voters who are frustrated by the problems with the country's financial institutions:

"There is this sense of, 'I'm being wronged by the government,' but then there’s this sense of really understanding that something has to be fixed to salvage the financial backbone of America," she said.

North Carolinians can take comfort in knowing the major banks that make North Carolina their base of operations are stable, she said. However, they too are seeing drops in their stock prices.

"I think it proves everything can be rattled by an economic crisis," she said.

With Citigroup buying Charlotte-based Wachovia today, the state Republican Party sent out links to the article arguing that Perdue was out of touch.

"When it comes to the struggles of ordinary people, Beverly Perdue just doesn't get it," said party chairwoman Linda Daves. 

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan debated energy Sunday.

In duel editorials in the Greenville Daily Reflector, the Salisbury Republican and the Greensboro Democrat outlined their respective policy approaches to high gas prices.

Dole called for a "kitchen sink" strategy: Conservation, alternative energy research, more drilling in Alaska, allowing exploration for drilling off North Carolina's coast, more exploration of oil shale drilling, releasing a third of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and investigating market fraud.

"At a time when North Carolina families are getting hammered by skyrocketing gas prices, we need a comprehensive approach to secure our energy future," she wrote.

Hagan blamed oil companies and called for: Halting deposits to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increasing pressure on OPEC to boost supply, cracking down on speculators in oil futures, repealing tax breaks for oil companies and investing in renewable energy projects in North Carolina.

"It's not too late to turn this around but we need to stop posturing and start pursuing real relief for middle class families in both the long and short term," she wrote.

Pat McCrory says offshore drilling could create jobs.

Speaking at the Greenville Convention Center Monday, the Republican gubernatorial candidate said drilling for oil and natural gas could help the economy Down East, The Daily Reflector reports.

"The east has a higher unemployment rate and lower per capita income than the rest of the state," McCrory said. "But it does not have to be that way. With safe, environmentally sound drilling in the deep sea off our coast, we can create new high paying jobs, jobs that the people of our poor counties can fill."

McCrory also said the product could be piped to "inland eastern counties" for processing.

During a meeting with reporters in Raleigh, McCrory also mentioned the jobs angle, but the discussion veered onto other topics, so it's interesting to note the Greenville paper's take.

More information on the history of the Manteo Project is here.

Previously: Pipelines safer than tankers.

Beverly Perdue raised $6.1 million by the end of 2007.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate raised $5.6 million from major donors, including Sanjay Mundra of the Soleil Group development company, MBM CEO Jerry Wordsworth, Grady-White Boats CEO Eddie Smith and Greenville Daily Reflector publisher Jordan Whichard.

She raised $32,762 from donors who gave less than $50.

She received $171,737 from political action committees, including BB&T, the Women's Campaign Forum and the N.C. Hospital Association, and $60,300 from other politicians' campaigns, including state Rep. Bill Owens, Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand and Sen. Dan Clodfelter.

She gave her campaign $3,340 in in-kind contributions, and her husband Robert Eaves Jr. gave $10,495 in in-kind contributions.

In addition, the campaign owes Eaves $275,000 for loans made during her 2000 campaign for lieutenant governor.

She also received a $5,993 in-kind contribution from the N.C. Democratic Party.

At the same time, Perdue spent $1.5 million on travel, office expenses, mailers, consulting and campaign events.

That left her with $4.5 million in cash on hand.