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The political year included its share of odd stories and not-so-flattering headlines. Here's a look at the top 5:

1. @GovBevPerdue makes a splash: A Twitter parody account for Gov. Bev Perdue (real handle: @ncgovoffice) caught a number of national media outlets looking silly. MSNBC and Huffington Post were among those fooled by the account that has steadily mocked all things Perdue. The account is labeled as the “first female governor of North Carolina, and probably the last.” The background image, and often point of discussion, is Bojangles’ Bo-Berry Biscuits. Nonetheless, HuffPo in May quoted the faux Perdue as apologizing to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant for a quip the real governor made after the state approved an amendment banning marriage between same-sex couples. During the Democratic National Convention, MSNBC was caught sleeping when they aired some of the fake Tweets on live TV.

After two weeks of early voting, there have been almost daily complaints about intimidation, aggressive campaigning and attempts to misinform voters.

While every presidential election has its share of discord, State Elections director Gary Bartlett said long lines and partisan tensions have led to an increased number of complaints to his office and to county election officials. Election officials are spending much of their debunking rumors. Full story here.

More political headlines:

--Democratic lawmaker Martha Alexander's race has become a magnet for money – not only from the Republican Party, but from outside groups. Now, it’s one of Mecklenburg’s two contested House races and one of about a dozen in the state that Republicans are targeting – and bankrolling – in hopes of increasing their House majority.

N.C. Republican Party leaders were aware of a reported relationship between Wake County school board members Debra Goldman and Chris Malone, yet they still discouraged other potential GOP candidates from opposing Goldman in her run for state auditor, a former opponent said Tuesday. After voting Tuesday, Pat McCrory wouldn't say whether he supported Goldman. Read the full story here.

More political headlines:

--The state employees association unveiled a website Tuesday that highlights the GOP lieutenant governor candidate Dan Forest's thoughts on  “Islamic extremists” who want to impose Shariah law and a United Nations plan for sustainable development called Agenda 21. “He is probably the most radical candidate who’s ever run for North Carolina office,” said Dana Cope, the group's leader.

Citing scheduling conflicts, U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell, D-N.C., has declined to commit to a locally televised debate with Republican challenger Richard Hudson.

Hudson, in a statement released by his campaign, called on the Democratic congressman “to come out of hiding.” Full story here.

More political headlines:

--Get a rundown on the feisty second presidential debate and see a fact check on the candidates' statements. Students at Queens College gave the win to the president.

--Emulating President Barack Obama, Walter Dalton also took an aggressive stance while Pat McCrory bobbed and weaved in the governor's race debate. And see an excerpt from a key exchange.

Michelle Obama started her remarks at UNC-Chapel Hill on Tuesday with a tribute to the late Bill Friday.

"I also want to take a moment just to note the passing of William Friday, a man whose visionary leadership of this university system was an inspiration to all of us who believe that education is the key to a brighter future," the first lady said. "Chancellor Friday was a courageous reformer who transformed North Carolina's public universities into a model for our country."

Read more about Michelle Obama's visit here and read her full remarks below.

Politics 101 is now in session. Today's lesson the Electoral College. The journalism students at UNC-Chapel Hill posed an interesting question recently: What would happen if there was no electoral college?

The WhichWayNC project from the Reese News initiative at UNC produced an inventive and engaging video to explain it all. Take a look above.

President Barack Obama's organizers at UNC-Chapel Hill are finding it harder to get students to volunteer for the campaign, reports The Daily Tar Heel, and other students aren't seeing the level of enthusiasm from 2008.

It's not good news for the Democratic candidate, who is counting on youth voters to help deliver the early vote once one-stop voting begins Oct. 18.

From the DTH, the university's independent student newspaper: "Gabby Whitehall, co-founder of Tar Heels for Obama, said her feelings have not changed since the 2008 election, but she has seen a dwindling in some of her peers’ excitement.

Democrat Walter Dalton's effort to make race an issue in the governor's campaign reflects the lingering potency of what has historically been a hair-trigger issue in North Carolina. According to some, it also represents the continued use of race as a political tool.

“It’s firing up the base, that’s all (Dalton’s) trying to do,” said Gary Pearce, a Democratic strategist from Raleigh. “Dalton’s in a position where one of the big things he needs to do is get the base fired up, and he thinks he found a way to do it.” Read more here.

More political headlines:

--Acknowledging that Republicans have work to do to sway women voters, a group of “Women for Mitt” led by former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina talked about the presidential challenger Thursday.

President Barack Obama talked student loans and much more at UNC-Chapel Hill this afternoon. For a quick-take story, click here. Here's a few more scribbles from the notebook:

-- Obama didn't address the two hottest issues in North Carolina politics right now: the constitutional marriage amendment and the state Democratic Party scandal. But the president did meet with Melissa Hodges, who is featured in a new anti-amendement TV ad. And much to Republicans chagrin he didn't nationalize the local party troubles -- and there's no reason to think he would have commented on the matter given his tightly controlled appearances.

--Gov. Bev Perdue received a good bit of love from Obama. And when he introduced her, the crowd didn't boo like a few months ago when she was introduced at a UNC basketball game. But despite what state GOP Chairman Robin Hayes said this morning, the reaction at the game wasn't about students upset about not getting a job.

President Barack Obama will visit the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Tuesday as part of a nationwide tour to promote lower interest rates on student loans, the White House announced Friday.

He will also appear on a special broadcast of NBC’s Jimmy Fallon show taped on the campus featuring the musician Dave Matthews.

The Chapel Hill campus is the first of three universities on the tour designed to pressure Congress to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling this summer. More than 7.4 million students hold loans with 3.4 percent interest. The White House believes there is still time for Congress to prevent the increase from taking effect July 1.