The Legionnaires are no longer with us.

Since January, the Legion of Dome has been graced with the presence of five correspondents who helped us cover the 2008 gubernatorial primary and other political news.

They were chosen through a partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill's journalism program.

Karin Dryhurst, a recent graduate, should have earned extra credit towards a degree in constitutional law for covering Bob Orr. She proved her mettle with the governor's press office over an item on Easley not showing his colors.

Sam Wineka, a recent graduate, taught us a lot about how Bill Graham spends his millions: A 12,000-square-foot house, dresses owned by Princess Di and an office building for his consultant. Not to mention how he earned his money.

Cori Sue Morris, a recent graduate, sparred with the governor's press office over a pronoun slip that turned out to be meaningful after all. She also cornered Kenneth Starr over representing Blackwater at Campbell University.

Matt Tomsic, a rising senior, dug into Fred Smith's business ventures, learning about how he built roads, ran a steakhouse and checked his employees' immigration status. He also checked into Smith's somewhat surprising reading list.

Emily Stephenson, a rising junior, researched Beverly Perdue's extensive legislative record, and covered two Barack Obama rallies and Thomas Wright's expulsion. She also caught a candidate essentially admitting to smoking in the boys room.

If the future of journalism depends on the likes of these correspondents, we're in good hands. We wish them the best of luck in their careers. They will be sorely missed.

Campaign staffers for Democratic candidate for governor Beverly Perdue may get to sleep in tomorrow, but not for long.

The staff will meet tomorrow morning to start building the strategy for the November election, spokesman David Kochman said.

Republican candidate Pat McCrory called for more debates in his victory speech. Perdue would not define how many debates she plans to agree to.

Perdue said she would leave the scheduling of debates to her campaign manager and that of her Republican opponent.

"We had so many debates in the last cycle," she said. "I don't know what would be appropriate. The cycle is much shorter this time."

Perdue said she plans to get back to work as president of the state Senate Tuesday.

While some campaign staffers were already calling the election for Beverly Perdue, Zach Ambrose came on the microphone to announce the Associated Press call for Perdue's victory.

In anticipation of Perdue's victory speech, the music was turned to "Celebrate" and then "Beautiful Day" by U2. Cheering, dancing and cocktails followed.

Cindy Estill, of Raleigh, said the win was "fabulous."

"I love that she's a woman, a strong woman and says what she thinks," she said. "She says a lot about where we need to go."

Brenda Tipton, of Pine Top, said she is excited about Perdue's victory.

"I think she's a go-getter," she said.

Gail Perry, of Raleigh, said she thinks Republican contender Pat McCrory has little chance of defeating Perdue in November.

"She's developed a strong political network across the state," said Perry, a member of the board of Lillian's List. "Her support is broad. It's deep. And she's got Andy Griffith."

State Superintendant of Public Instruction June Atkinson, who is running for re-election, has predicted wins in Guilford, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, and Buncombe Counties.

She said she has spent the night trying to predict the counties she will win. She said she thinks the election will be a closer call in the Northeastern and Southeastern counties in the state.

"It's interesting to see how I will predict," Atkinson said.

Supporters have gathered in a fifth-floor suite at the North Raleigh Hilton on Wake Forest Road, the same hotel where throngs of Perdue supporters have filled the ballroom.

Atkinson said she plans to sleep in tomorrow and attend a farewell dinner for Martin Lancaster, president of the North Carolina Community College System.

A scan of personal blogs around the state shows Democratic candidate for governor Beverly Perdue ahead of opponent Richard Moore.

Neither candidate garnered all ringing endorsements, with many bloggers commenting on the negativity of the gubernatorial campaigns.

Sanya of Beams of Light Ministries said she supported Perdue after she pulled her negative ads.

Some bloggers said they didn't find inspiration in either candidate. One said he edged toward Perdue because of the possibility of "breaking another glass ceiling." Another leaned toward Moore because of his "slightly lower" tuition increases.

No Republican candidate for governor appeared to come out on top. One blogger mentioned Bill Graham but touted Pat McCrory's experience as mayor, while another urged voters to vote for Fred Smith.

A volunteer for the Lawson for Congress campaign endorsed Bob Orr on a Ron Paul forum because of his "in-depth" discussion of the issues.

Students at a forum at UNC-Chapel Hill today said Chelsea Clinton seemed professional, but needed more enthusiasm and excitement.

"I was almost bored by her facial expressions," said Hailey Loftis, a history and studio art major from Greensboro.

But Loftis and fellow sophomore Elizabeth Beene said the question-and-answer session in the Student Union only reinforced their support of Hillary Clinton because of the way Chelsea addressed questions on education and health care.

Beene, a music education major, said Chelsea served as a "liaison between her family and the younger population."

Freshman Arielle Reid, a psychology major from Charlotte, said she was leaning toward Obama.

"She leveled the playing field," Reid said of Chelsea Clinton. "I need to do more research."

From the In Case You Were Wondering files at Dome HQ.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Moore's Feb. 9 ad  during "The Andy Griffith Show" on WRAL was the episode entitled "Howard the Comedian."

In that episode, Howard hurts his friends by naming them in an amateur comedian act.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue's other ad aired during "A Trip to Mexico," which ran on Feb. 16.

In that episode, Aunt Bea returns from a trip to Mexico on bad terms with her two closest friends.

Previously: Perdue, Moore air "Andy Griffith" ads.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Moore wants the attention of basketball fans.

According to records of ad buys at WRAL, Moore spent $11,000 on ads during the NCAA tournament, one ad for each UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University game played this weekend.

His primary opponent, Beverly Perdue, ran an during the Maryland-Boston College ACC Tournament game, spending only $1,500. However, Perdue ran ads during the Letterman shows that followed NCAA games on Thursday and Friday. The spots cost $500 each.

Moore has spent $106,850 at WRAL since he relaunched his TV advertising March 11. He had pulled his ads mid-February with Perdue pulling back on her ads a week later.

But Perdue returned to the airwaves earlier than Moore. She renewed advertising toward the end of February, spending $174,675 at WRAL since then.

More after the jump.

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Beverly Perdue returned to Mayberry this morning.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate bought a spot on "The Andy Griffith Show" between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Two episodes aired during that time, "Opie and the Spoiled Kid" and "The Tape Recorder."

In "Opie and the Spoiled Kid," Opie tries out some manipulation tactics Arnold told him would get him what he wanted. Arnold, who just had his dad buy him a bike, tells Opie, "Kids aren't supposed to work for their allowance."

But Opie learns his pa won't fall for the kicking and crying, and the spoiled kid gets a spanking.

On the other episode, Opie and Arnold accidentally record a prisoner's confession in "The Tape Recorder." When Opie tells his pa about the tape, he gets a lesson in due process. (The episode made the rounds on the Internet during the debate over warrantless wiretapping.) 

Perdue has advertised during "Andy Griffith" once before, during the 7 p.m. time slot on Feb. 16.

Richard Moore bought a spot during the episode aired at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9.

Update: Perdue spokesman David Kochman said that the campaign sometimes has money leftover after its major ad buys. The "Andy Griffith" ads each cost less than $200.

"Every time we place another media buy, we're looking at the cost of the spot and the audience that its reaching and evaluating what's the most effective time slots," he said. 

Pat McCrory's home on Maryland Avenue in Charlotte is worth $487,700 as of January 2003.

The house, built in 1947, is 2,609 square feet with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The one-story home also has a patio.

The land is worth $350,000, and the building and features combined are worth $137,700.

He bought the home in August of 1991 from its previous owner. The Mecklenburg tax assessor valued the home at $180,400 in January that year.

McCrory has remodeled the home, increasing the value to $338,420 in 2000 from $297,270 in 1998.