Happy Thanksgiving

It has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition for Dome to imagine what some of the state's politicos may be most thankful for during this holiday season.

For the full list, check out Under the Dome in print editions of The News & Observer. Dome online will be running a light schedule until Monday. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Mike Easley: The former Democratic governor should be thankful that Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, meaning the courthouse where a grand jury has been questioning witnesses about his administration will be closed.

Richard Burr: The Winston-Salem Republican is probably thankful that the only Democrats who are running for his seat don't impress the national Democrats who could pour millions of dollars into the race. They have been begging candidates to jump in, all but ignoring the two declared Democratic candidates - Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and lawyer Kenneth Lewis.

Pat McCrory: Last year's Republican candidate for governor is thankful there's only three more years until the next gubernatorial election. He's already counting the days.

Bev Perdue: The Democratic governor may be thankful she still has three years to get her poor poll numbers up before she's up for re-election.

Martin Nesbitt: Is thankful Sen. Tony Rand decided enough was enough at the legislature, and that nobody apparently likes Sen. Dan Clodfelter. How else does a mountain populist become the leader of a bunch of pro-business Democrats in the state Senate?

Federal prosecutors: Are thankful for North Carolina's elected officials, otherwise known as fish in a barrel.

Phil Berger and Paul Stam: The Republican legislative leaders must be thankful for a coming election year that seems a perfect recipe for a big win.

N.C. Democrats: Are thankful for the state's Republicans, whose history of infighting and squandering opportunities could easily spoil that perfect recipe.