Scott Mooneyham says Mike Easley's Teflon may be wearing thin.

In a column, the Raleigh political reporter writes that the "bungled mental health care reform" and the governor's response to it has weakened his standing.

Until now, Easley deserved the nickname "Teflon Mike" for his seven years in office.

His critics would say that's because he has so seldom taken on the difficult tasks that could expose any failings. His backers, and maybe even occasional critics, might respond that his general good nature and likeability had more to do with it.

Now, Mooneyham notes that all four Republican gubernatorial candidates are running against Easley. Pat McCrory is airing ads attacking him, Fred Smith and Bob Orr have badmouthed him and Bill Graham is running as an outsider against Raleigh.

Soon, he says, Democratic candidates Beverly Perdue and Richard Moore may do the same.

Scott Mooneyham says Richard Moore has a month.

In a column, The Insider reporter writes that the Democratic gubernatorial candidate has very little time to catch up to rival Beverly Perdue before the May 6 primary.

History doesn't always repeat itself, and it may not in the 2008 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Nonetheless, recent history suggests that if the state treasurer's candidacy doesn't catch fire soon, it won't catch at all.

He points to Gov. Mike Easley's lead in the March polls over then Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker, which held steady by the May primary, and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot's similar lead. 

Mooneyham also writes that Perdue has run a "fairly flawless front-runner campaign," held her own in debates and weathered Moore's attacks.

That's not to say the race is over, though. Perdue "might yet stumble," he writes. 

Scott Mooneyham says there is a bias against Charlotte.

The capitol reporter writes in a column in the Southern Pines Pilot that North Carolinians have long disliked politicians from Charlotte. His mother, for one.

Growing up in and around Raleigh, I can't remember how many times I heard her disparage the Queen City. In her view, if South Carolina didn't want the city, perhaps Mars would annex it.

He points out that Pat McCrory announced in Jamestown, former Gov. Jim Martin stressed his connections to Davidson County and former Speaker Jim Black always said he was from Matthews.

Still, Mooneyham says that North Carolina has changed in recent decades, with "transplanted Northerners" living in the suburbs less likely to dislike Charlotte. 

Scott Mooneyham has dug up the goods on the 11 legislators who have been expelled.

The syndicated political columnist writes that Josiah Turner Jr. was supposed to be censured for calling other legislators names, but he got upset listening to the public scolding, let out a few more choice words and left the chamber. That's when he was expelled.

But Mooneyham writes that Turner was not the only one kicked out for unusual reasons.

Among the others kicked out between 1757 and 1880:

* 1809: John Clary of Perquimans County, for having an affair with his stepdaughter.

* 1835: Robert Potter of Granville County, for brandishing a gun and knife during a fight over a card game.

* 1875: J. Williams Thorne, for publishing a pamphlet that questioned the Bible.

For a complete list, click here.

Don Beason personally apologized to one reporter.

In a syndicated column, Scott Mooneyham, editor of political newsletter The Insider, said that the once-top lobbyist sent him a personal e-mail after it was revealed that he had loaned disgraced former House Speaker Jim Black $500,000 in 2000.

Mooneyham said he and Beason often ate lunch together, talking about the news of the day. He said he always found him "a straight shooter" and a "fascinating guy" with a long history in state government.

But I never forgot that Beason was a master of the art of influence. That influence was gained by providing legislators with straight information, but also — prior to last year's ethics reforms — raising campaign money and doing "favors," buying a meal or doling out sporting event tickets.

Mooneyham said he never accepted any favors, and he wrote Beason back saying he would cover the loan "fairly but without favor."