Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue pressed President-elect Barack Obama for federal help yesterday.

Attending a get-together of Democratic governors the night before a meeting today on the economy in Philadelphia, Perdue had several chances to talk with the newly elected president.

She said she was intrigued by his definition of infrastructure spending, which would include not just roads and water and sewer projects, but also public schools, universities, broadband Internet access in rural areas and better medical technology.

"He sees the social and infrastructure agenda as woven together," she said.

Perdue was one of 29 Democratic governors at the informal get-together, which was held at the Independence Visitor Center. As Obama worked the room, she had three or four chances to chat with him, and not all of the talk was work-related.

The two also compared notes on looking for dogs. Obama publicly promised his daughters a new dog after the election, while Perdue and her husband are considering a third dog.

This morning, Louisina Gov. Bobby Jindal said his kids were now pushing for a puppy.

"(Obama) says he's caused trouble all over the country," she said.

Related: Perdue, Easley attend economic summit. 

How well are North Carolina's two governors getting along?

There are always some bumps in the road when a lame duck and a governor-elect spend an uneasy two months sharing the stage, even when they're from the same party.

Still, a few public relations slips in the past week may show a little strain between outgoing Gov. Mike Easley and Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue.

* HOW BIG A SHORTFALL? On Monday, Perdue warned the budget shortfall could reach $3 billion — a number far higher than anything Easley has put forward to date. His office neither endorsed nor challenged the figure.

* MEETING OBAMA: Last week, Perdue announced that she would join President-elect Barack Obama at a roundtable in Philadelphia. On Monday, Easley said he'd go too. Why the separate travel plans and announcements? 

* FAST TRACKING PROJECTS: Last week, Easley called for the state to speed up $700 million in state spending on prisons, colleges and other projects. A few hours later, Perdue issued a press release backing the idea. Again, why the separate releases?

Though they share party affiliations and some key backers, Perdue and Easley are not as close as Republican criticism from the election would have you believe.

But these little hiccups indicate the two teams are not working as closely as they could.

North Carolina's outgoing and incoming governors will both join President-elect Obama at a meeting with the nation's governors in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Gov. Mike Easley, who typically skips National Governors Association events, is slated to discuss the state's foreclosure prevention program during tomorrows meetings, according to a statement released by his office announcing the trip.

Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue's office announced more than a week ago that she would attend the meeting, which is aimed at examining the partnership between the federal government and the states in efforts to rebuild the economy.

Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue is not using state money to meet with Barack Obama.

A spokesman for the governor-elect said she will be traveling to Philadelphia on a chartered plane paid for by her campaign account. 

Perdue will join a meeting of the nation's governors with the president-elect and vice president-elect Joe Biden to talk about the economic crisis. 

The 10 a.m. meeting tomorrow is sponsored by the National Governors Association. Perdue and other newly elected or incumbent governors will argue for a federal-state partnership to boost the economy.

North Carolina could face a state budget shortfall of as much as $3 billion next year, according to a Perdue press release.

House Speaker Joe Hackney joined a press conference co-sponsored by the National Governors Association on the same topic in Washington today. 

Sen. Elizabeth Dole visited a number of states in 2006.

As head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee that year, Dole campaigned for Republican Senate candidates in a number of states, according to news reports:

Minnesota: In March, Dole traveled in Minnesota on behalf of Senate candidate Mark Kennedy, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. 

Montana: In April and August, Dole toured Montana with Sen. Conrad Burns, according to the Associated Press.

Washington: On Aug. 25, Dole appeared at a $100-a-plate luncheon with Washington Senate candidate Mike McGavick, according to The Columbian.

Tennessee: On Aug. 28, Dole toured Eastern Tennessee with Senate candidate Bob Corker, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Michigan: On Aug. 29, Dole went on campaign stops with Senate candidate Mike Bouchard, according to the Muskegon Chronicle.

Pennsylvania: On Aug. 31, Dole spoke at a press conference at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Arizona: On Sept. 22, Dole headlined an entourage of female senators at the Arizona Inn in Tuscon, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

New Jersey: On Oct. 11, Dole traveled in New Jersey, according to The Hotline.

Ohio: On Oct. 16, Dole traveled to Ohio, according to the N&O.

Missouri: On Oct. 18, Dole headlined a breakfast for Sen. Jim Talent, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Virginia: On Oct. 31, Dole appeared with Sen. George Allen at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.

In addition, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee says an official e-mail from Dole shows she traveled to Nebraska in August.