There have been a number of firsts in recent days, with more to come.

Among them was North Carolina's chief executive being referred to as "sister governor."

That is what Johnnetta Cole, past president of Bennett College, called Gov. Beverly Perdue at the State Employees Martin Luther King Observance program this afternoon at First Baptist Church, Rob Christensen reports.

In brief remarks, Perdue told a standing room only audience that civil rights activists such as Rosa Parks, the four N.C. A&T students who led the lunch counter sit-ins and King, showed the difference individuals can make in helping transform society.

Perdue noted the history of being North Carolina’s first woman governor. And she said her own roots in the coal mining country of Appalachia, showed possibilities of America.

In her only reference to the tough economic times, Perdue asked people to consider giving to those who need help, such as providing old coats or working in a soup kitchen.

In introducing Perdue, Greg Richardson, executive director of the Commission of Indian Affairs, jokingly suggested that State Employees Choir, which performed at the observance, cut a CD, with the proceeds going to the state coffers.

Among the elected officials on stage to participate were Attorney General Roy Cooper, state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, state Auditor Beth Wood, and state Treasurer Janet Cowell.

Raymond Burrell of Wayne Community College, was given the 2009 John Larkins Award for the person who did the most to promote equal opportunity.

The N.C. Democratic Party is in quite a quandary.

The Vance-Aycock Dinner has been an annual tradition for nearly a half century, rallying the faithful, serving as a touchstone for western Democrats and raising substantial amounts of money.

But it's named for two folks — onetime Confederate Zebulon Vance and 1898 race riot participant Charles Brantley Aycock — who have fallen out of favor with history.

At least one major Democratic officeholder called for the name to be changed, but no one has a good alternative. Rename it a generic "Asheville Dinner" and you risk losing the brand. Naming it for someone else risks bringing up a whole new set of issues. But doing nothing looks insensitive.

Dome has a "modest proposal" for the Democrats — and it even has a North Carolina connection.

Back in Seattle where we grew up, the local municipal government was named "King County" in the 1850s for former Vice President William Rufus King, who was born in Sampson County and served in the North Carolina legislature.  

By the mid 1980s, the slaveholding vice president had fallen out of favor with history as well, and had no special hold on the Northwest. 

The King County Council adopted a resolution opting for a name change. The new name? King County, after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. After the state government approved the change in 2005, they changed their logo to a silhouette of King as well.

So, all the North Carolina Democrats need to do is come up with a new Vance and a new Aycock to rename the dinner after.

With only a few minutes research on the Internet, we came up with two suitable replacements: Former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and former UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor William Brantley Aycock.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama exchanged sharp words Monday.

At a debate in Myrtle Beach, the Democratic presidential candidates criticized each others' records and political tactics.

Clinton said Obama was associated with a "slumlord," while Obama said Clinton worked as an attorney for Wal-Mart. At one point, she defended a criticism of her husband, by saying she was the one running for president.

"I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes," Obama retorted.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards objected that he was not given equal time. 

The two-hour debate, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, was intended to commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (NYT)

COLUMBIA, S.C.—John Edwards joined Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on stage in front of the state Capitol Monday at lunch time, to mark the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Edwards used his 10 minute allotment to stress the theme that "silence is betrayal"—silence about poverty, silence about the war in Iraq, silence about universal health care, Rob Christensen reports.

He also reminded South Carolina voters that he grew up in South Carolina.

The several thousand gathered in the shadow of the controversial  Confederate flag was a largely black, pro-Obama crowd. But Edwards received an enthusiastic welcome and his anti-poverty message seemed to be well received.

Many in the crowd said they respected Edwards, but liked Obama better.

"I think Edwards is a great candidate," said Ronnie Arnold, a 54 year old letter carrier from Columbia who is backing Obama. "But I just feel it's time for a change," he said.

At the end of Edwards' talk, someone in the back shouted “vice president” although Edwards most certainly did not hear it.

COLUMBIA—With nearly half of South Carolina's Democratic primary voters African-American, John Edwards and the other Democratic presidential hopefuls concentrated on Martin Luther King Holiday-related events Monday.

Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, was to join Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on an NAACP-sponsored march to the state Capitol for a rally here to commemorate the King holiday, Rob Christensen reports.

Later this evening, the Democrats will be in Myrtle Beach for a two-hour televised debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. The debate starts at 8 p.m.

Sunday evening, Edwards attended a King service at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia.

Edwards has historically struggled to win black support, despite his emphasis on fighting poverty and the inequality in American society. His challenge has been compounded this year with the candidacies of the first serious black presidential candidate and Clinton, who has long had strong ties to the black community.

Mike Easley knows his beer ads.

The governor introduced pioneering civil rights journalist Chuck Stone at today’s 27th annual State Employees' Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance, Keung Hui reports. He couldn't resist mentioning that Stone's son, Charles III, is one of the creators of the Budweiser "Wassup" commercials.

"Wassup man," Easley said in a very credible imitation of the commerical that drew laughter from the 400 people at the event. "You've got to say it like on TV."

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will make a three-day tour next week to emphasize poverty in America, traveling the same roads as Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Edwards will visit the Mississippi Delta, the urban slums of Cleveland and areas of Appalachia in Virginia and Kentucky, reports Rob Christensen.

David Bonior, Edwards’ campaign manager, said the trip's purpose is “to highlight the new face of poverty in America.”

Bonior said the trip will be different from other Edwards events. The former North Carolina senator will not be visiting early primary or caucus states and will not be holding fundraisers.

Edwards will outline his proposals to reduce poverty including raising the minimum wage, providing universal health care, tripling the earned-income tax credit and expanding housing vouchers.