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Gov. Bev Perdue is reacting to the about-fact at the N.C. Democratic Party on Saturday after Chairman David Parker resigned but then triumphantly reclaimed his post.

Perdue essentially puts the mess in Democratic gubernatorial nominee Walter Dalton's lap now. “I’m focused on investing in education and passing my other budget priorities," she said in a statement. "Walter Dalton is the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, and I’ll support him in however he wants to handle the matter."

President Barack Obama's campaign has not yet responded to Parker's reign.

A number of top Democratic Party activists are lobbying behind the scenes to keep controversial Chairman David Parker at the helm.

Parker announced in April he would step aside amid national pressure and boisterous calls for his resignation concerning his handling of a sexual harassment controversy at party headquarters.

But just days before Saturday's election to pick a new leader, scenarios are being contemplated to keep Parker -- a move that is likely to distress top Democratic leaders at the state and national level who are concerned about the scandal becoming a distraction at the Democratic convention later this year.

Bill Franklin, a state executive committee member from Burlington, sent an email earlier this week to the pool of voters who will pick a new chairman asking them to reject the "sabotage" of Parker. Democratic insiders say it echoes other conversations occurring privately in party circles.

"On May 12, help those who really care and let’s keep David Parker. If you send a proxy, give them specific instructions to go with the Parker faction," Franklin wrote in an email obtained by The News & Observer. "Do not accept any attempts at his resignation or disposal by anyone."

Try, try, try as it might, the Republican National Committee wants to tie President Barack Obama to the sexual harassment scandal at the state Democratic Party.

Using TV reports from last week -- and giving ABC 11's Jon Camp a lot of love -- the RNC released a Web video Tuesday. The kicker: "Mr. President, we have some questions..." But Republicans shouldn't hold their breath waiting for an answer.

Voters will begin casting ballots Thursday throughout North Carolina. At stake: primaries for hundreds of local, state and federal offices – and a make-or-break vote on a proposed marriage amendment to the state constitution. Check out the voter's guide and get a list of early polling places.

--The lascivious details Wednesday in the sexual harassment case involving party leadership magnified the spectacle embarrassing the state Democratic Party in an election year and came just days before President Barack Obama is expected to visit North Carolina.  Read story here.

--In what sounded like a preview of his own acceptance speech, Republican Mitt Romney came to Charlotte on Wednesday to make a case against President Barack Obama as a failed leader whose policies have made the economy worse. Read more here.

--The Democratic gubernatorial candidates pledged if elected to veto any bill requiring photo identification to vote. Wednesday evening’s discussion was the third and final televised debate held on three consecutive nights leading up to the May 8 primary election. Read story here and get the pundits take on the debate.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates sharpened their criticisms Tuesday night, drawing more pointed contrasts with each other’s records in the second in a series of televised debates. 

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge heard his congressional record on trade and his tenure as superintendent of public instruction come under fire. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton found himself defending his attendance record and his advocacy of Democratic causes in the legislature. Read the story here. And get the pundits' take on the debate.

Other headlines:

-- The calls for Democratic Party chairman David Parker to resign snowballed Tuesday, leaving his tenure short on days. Gov. Bev Perdue, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and former Congressman Bob Etheridge all reversed course to call for his ouster after trying to avoid the controversy for days.

The Charlotte Observer is calling it the "April Surprise" and the paper's cartoonist gets in his take on the candidates' reactions to scandal.