Five endorsements that would matter

Which endorsements would matter in North Carolina?

As noted previously, most of the state's elected Democrats have stayed on the sidelines in the fight between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

As the May 6 primary approaches, both sides will be looking for some local help. Here are five endorsements that could make a difference, and which way they might be leaning:

John Edwards: He's a national figure, he still controls 26 delegates and he's got time to campaign. He's not been interested so far, but can he avoid the circus when it's in his backyard? He went after Clinton in the campaign, but that may have been purely tactical.

Mike Easley: He's a popular second-term governor who occasionally seems to be interested in another job. A crucial nod — something more than a pronoun slip — could put him in good stead. A centrist Democrat, he would seem to be in tune with Clinton.

Jim Hunt: He's a popular former four-term governor who still works behind the scenes in state politics. A veteran campaigner, he'd be a good surrogate on the stump. As a Southern governor, he has close ties to the Clintons.

Mel Watt: As the former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, he's a well-known figure in state and national politics. The former campaign manager for U.S. Senate candidate Harvey Gantt, he's expressed doubts that America's ready for a black president.

David Price: He's the dean of the Democratic Congressional delegation. He's been active with the Democratic Leadership Council and worked with Bill Clinton in the 1990s, but his base in Chapel Hill likely leans toward Obama.

Others that could be a score for either campaign: Attorney General Roy Cooper, gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue or Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.