Emily Stephenson

Farewell to the Dome correspondents

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:40:39 -0400

The Legionnaires are no longer with us.

Since January, the Legion of Dome has been graced with the presence of five correspondents who helped us cover the 2008 gubernatorial primary and other political news.

They were chosen through a partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill's journalism program.

Karin Dryhurst, a recent graduate, should have earned extra credit towards a degree in constitutional law for covering Bob Orr. She proved her mettle with the governor's press office over an item on Easley not showing his colors.

Sam Wineka, a recent graduate, taught us a lot about how Bill Graham spends his millions: A 12,000-square-foot house, dresses owned by Princess Di and an office building for his consultant. Not to mention how he earned his money.

Cori Sue Morris, a recent graduate, sparred with the governor's press office over a pronoun slip that turned out to be meaningful after all. She also cornered Kenneth Starr over representing Blackwater at Campbell University.

Matt Tomsic, a rising senior, dug into Fred Smith's business ventures, learning about how he built roads, ran a steakhouse and checked his employees' immigration status. He also checked into Smith's somewhat surprising reading list.

Emily Stephenson, a rising junior, researched Beverly Perdue's extensive legislative record, and covered two Barack Obama rallies and Thomas Wright's expulsion. She also caught a candidate essentially admitting to smoking in the boys room.

If the future of journalism depends on the likes of these correspondents, we're in good hands. We wish them the best of luck in their careers. They will be sorely missed.

Easley to endorse Perdue

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:17:18 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley will endorse Beverly Perdue tomorrow.

Easley's office sent an email to supporters today inviting them to attend an 11 a.m. event at the N.C. Democratic Party's Raleigh headquarters to congratulate Perdue on her Democratic gubernatorial primary win.

The release notes that North Carolina has elected just two Republican governors in the past century and touts Perdue's executive experience as lieutenant governor.

"We have witnessed a vibrant primary between two strong, ambitious candidates with proven track records of service to the state," said party chairman Jerry Meek in a statement. "After a hard-fought primary, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue is strong, and Democrats are coming together to offer her steadfast, enthusiastic support."

Not to be outdone, Republican gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory will hold a press conference at the state Capitol a few blocks east at noon.

The unofficial superdelegates

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:49:27 -0400

Barack Obama has the support of at least two unofficial superdelegates.

Varnette Tetterton and Kassaundra Lockhart, both of Raleigh, said they have been to four of five recent events held in the Triangle by Barack and Michelle Obama.

"We're like the unofficial superdelegates," said Tetterton, who arrived at NC State's Reynolds Coliseum almost three hours before the doors opened. "And we volunteer too."

Lockhart said she is thrilled that Obama won big in North Carolina.

"This is just awesome that North Carolina came out and supported Barack Obama," she said. "It's been kind of overwhelming."

Moms and Dads for Obama

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:07:56 -0400

Moms and dads were in the crowd for Barack Obama.

Ilina Ewen, clad in a tTshirt reading "Obama mammas," said the Illinois senator's campaign has provided her with an opportunity to educate her two sons about civic duties.

"It's an opportunity to bring our children into the fold of civic responsibility," the Raleigh mother said, explaining that her parents always stressed the importance of voting. "It is our right, it is our duty and it is our responsibility."

Ewen and friends Molly and Will Feichter recently made a video about parents supporting Obama to distribute to friends. The video also is posted on Ewen's blog, dirt&noise.

Will Feichter said Obama's campaign also has allowed him to talk to his three children about difficult issues such as race. He said the family watched Obama's race speech in Pennsylvania together.

"The issues are complicated, and they need to be looked at from all angles," he said. "This is the first candidate that I've really believed speaks to Americans as if we are adults."

Does Perdue represent change?

kdryhurst — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:10:50 -0400

Does Beverly Perdue represent change for North Carolina?

Chatham County voters disagree. Luther Lott, 37, of Pittsboro, said he thinks that Perdue, who could be the state’s first female governor, represents a change for state politics because of her gender.

Lott, a Barack Obama supporter, said diversity in elected offices is important.

"It would be nice to see a female governor in the state that I grew up in," he said.

But Anne Pirani, 45, also of Pittsboro, said Perdue will not bring change because of her connections to current state leaders.

Pirani said she voted for Richard Moore for governor because she doesn’t think highly of Gov. Mike Easley or of Perdue's connections to him.

Perdue has served as lieutenant governor under Easley for two terms, although the two ran separately and Easley remained neutral in the gubernatorial primary.

"If they were endorsed by Easley, that was a big 'no' for me,” Pirani said.

Color confusion at Obama rally

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:08:02 -0400

The ushers at Barack Obama's rally seem to have their colors confused.

The ushers are wearing red sport coats like the ones N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe wears to games.

But Obama is a Democratic candidate, and his party's color is blue. These days, red means Republican.

On the other hand, blue banners hang behind four sections of balcony seats in Reynolds Coliseum, so maybe N.C. State made enough compromises for one night.

One voter's take: Kathryn O'Connell

kdryhurst — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:01:49 -0400

Kathryn O'Connell, 47, of Pittsboro, voted for Hillary Clinton and Beverly Perdue.

O'Connell, a physical therapist, said she decided at the last minute to vote for Clinton. She said she read Clinton's and Barack Obama's platforms this morning but arrived at the polls undecided.

"I was really on the fence," she said. "I'd be happy with either."

O'Connell said she eventually decided to vote for Clinton because she feels its important to support female candidates.

"I kind of felt like I had to vote for a woman," she said. "Either of them will do a good job. I just had to go with her at the last minute."

O’Connell said she chose Perdue for governor because of her track record as lieutenant governor.

One Voter's Take: Kelly White

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:59:18 -0400

Kelly White, 25, of Siler City, voted for the first time today.

White said he usually isn’t interested in politics, but the hotly contested Democratic presidential campaign drew him to the polls.

He said he originally intended to vote for Hillary Clinton but changed his mind recently because he doesn’t think she consistently supports the same policies.

"She keeps changing stuff," White said, explaining that this made him question Clinton's honesty.

He said Barack Obama consistently supports even his unpopular ideas, which indicates that he will be a stronger leader than Clinton.

"I feel like Obama will be a leader," White said. "I think Obama's strong."

Nettles' most valued endorsement

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:50:52 -0400

Mary Nettles said that in Pittsboro, the most important endorsement is her own.

Nettles, 53, said she compiles a slate of candidates each year and hands out her recommendations at polling sites and other public places in the days leading up to primary elections.

The former Chatham County Democratic Party chairwoman and one-time candidate for county commissioner said she has been campaigning for her chosen candidates since the 1980s.

Nettles, who now works as a substitute teacher, said the chosen candidates in local, state and national races usually win her precinct.

"My daddy used to do this," she said, adding that she has given away over 200 printouts with her selections this year to friends, neighbors and voters at Pittsboro polling places.

Grant puts prescription info online

estephenson — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:53:38 -0400

A new grant will allow consumers to access prescription information online.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said today that a settlement with the world's largest pharmaceutical company will fund the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs program and Web site. The grant is the 29th in a series that attorney generals from across the country have made to give consumers balanced information about drugs.

The Web site will allow consumers to compare prices and safety ratings for drugs used to treat dozens of medical conditions.

"People need to know a lot more about prescription drugs than what TV ads tell them," Cooper said in a statement. "This will be a source for consumers to get drug information they can discuss with their doctor."