How closely tied are North Carolina's Congressional Republicans to their presidential nominee?

It's much harder to say than it was for the Democrats. The GOP did not have superdelegates, so its members were not required to cast a high-profile vote in their primary.

John McCain had already sewn up the nomination by the time North Carolina voted, so he did few events here to gauge local ties with.

Still, there are a few tea leaves to read. Here is a list, from closest to least close:

Richard Burr: Longtime friend in Senate. Headed platform committee, spoke at convention. Frequent advocate on TV for McCain. Mentioned as long-shot vice presidential pick. Wife spoke at fundraiser. Gives speeches at campaign headquarter openings, speaks on conference calls. Co-sponsored four bills. Received $2,500 donation in 2006 from McCain's leadership PAC. Mentioned as potential Cabinet pick.

Virginia Foxx: Endorsed Mitt Romney in primary. Spoke on recent McCain conference call. Member of the Palin Truth Squad.

Sue Myrick: Skipped national convention. Endorsed Fred Thompson in primary. Member of the Palin Truth Squad.

Elizabeth Dole: Ran against McCain for presidential nomination in 2000. Skipped national convention. Co-sponsored four bills. Husband Bob speaks at campaign headquarter openings. Some Dole backers lobbied for vice presidential pick. Tied to McCain in liberal attack ads.

Patrick McHenry: McCain friend Tim Pawlenty appeared at McHenry fundraiser. Publicly called for conservatives to unite behind McCain in mid-February, but reportedly said McCain nomination would make conservatives "physically ill." Spoke on recent McCain conference call.

Robin Hayes: Received $1,000 donation in 2000 from McCain's leadership PAC. McCain friend Tim Pawlenty appeared at Hayes fundraiser. Skipped national convention.

Walter Jones: Made no endorsement in primary.

Howard Coble: Skipped national convention. Endorsed Mitt Romney in primary.

Who didn't play hooky to see Barack Obama?

As noted previously, three governors in town for a training session at the Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership showed up at an Obama event Monday: Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and former Gov. Roy Romer of Colorado.

Though they were on the guest list, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley did not show.

They had a good reason, of course. The Hunt Institute had scheduled discussions on education all day Monday in Chapel Hill, and seeing Obama meant making a 40-minute drive to Raleigh and missing a healthy chunk of the three-day session.

But it's worth noting who else didn't make the drive: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Guam Gov. Felix Perez Camacho.

Camacho and Pawlenty have a good excuse: They're Republicans.

For their part, Sebelius, Napolitano and Kaine may not have wanted to fuel further speculation that they'll be picked as Obama's vice president (though that didn't stop Schweitzer from glad-handing.) And Doyle and Sebelius have already done their duties here.

Update: Sebelius and Napolitano were at an Obama fundraiser in Chapel Hill. 

Dome has learned more details of Tim Pawlenty's visit.

The Republican governor of Minnesota came for private meeting with U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes on Friday, then held a fundraiser lunch with him in Concord.

Afterward, he met with U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, then held a fundraiser and reception with him at a private home in Mooresville.

McHenry said in a statement that he appreciated the help.

"Governor Pawlenty has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most effective leaders in America, and is a rising star in national politics," he said. "Anyone who appreciates good government grounded in fiscal discipline can appreciate his strong record as governor, and I appreciate his trip to North Carolina to support my campaign."

One of the top tier of John McCain's potential vice presidential picks was in town last week.

Tim Pawlenty, the Republican governor of Minnesota, came to North Carolina to raise money for U.S. Reps. Robin Hayes and Patrick McHenry.

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza says the trip is part of a not-so-subtle effort to raise his profile as McCain makes his decision. 

Hayes and McHenry are among the more conservative members of North Carolina's delegation, and both face competitive races this fall.

Hayes has a rematch with Biscoe schoolteacher Larry Kissell. After winning a Republican primary, McHenry faces Hickory attorney Daniel Johnson.