GOP ad links Democrats to Rev. Wright

A new TV ad from the N.C. Republican Party tries to link two Democratic candidates for governor to Barack Obama's controversial former minister

"For 20 years, Barack Obama sat in his pew, listening to his pastor," the ad says, segueing into video of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, David Ingram reports.

The ad continues, "Now, Bev Perdue and Richard Moore endorse Barack Obama. They should know better. He's just too extreme for North Carolina."

The ad is titled "Extreme." Republican chairwoman Linda Daves of Charlotte appears briefly at the end.

It is believed to be the first time nationwide that Republicans have used Wright's comments in a TV advertisement since the comments first drew scrutiny last month. The party has not released details on how much money it plans to spend on airing the ad.

Moore, the N.C. treasurer, and Perdue, the lieutenant governor, are the two leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor. Their campaigns did not immediately have a comment on the ad, nor did the Obama campaign.

The N.C. primary for governor, president and other offices is May 6. Most polls show Obama with a double-digit lead in the state over rival Hillary Clinton.

In a wide-ranging speech on race in March, Obama, the leading Democratic candidate for president, condemned Wright's most controversial statements. But, he added, "that isn't all that I know of the man. He has been like family to me. I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community."