Hot-button issues inspired Dome readers to hit their mouse buttons.
In 2007, the most-viewed posts on the Under the Dome blog touched on the most contentious issues of the day: illegal immigration, homosexuality, the Duke lacrosse case and state political corruption.
Another drew a national audience because of its ties to national news.
Counting down the Top Five Most Viewed of 2007:
5. Wright's reimbursements: State Rep. Thomas Wright was paid eight times for travel when he was already in Raleigh, an investigation reveals.
4. Toasted Nifong: A downtown Raleigh bar offers "Toasted Nifong w/ a side order of National News" on its menu, lampooning the Duke lacrosse prosecutor.
3. The Orange County factor: An anti-John Edwards piece on "The O'Reilly Factor" misrepresented Orange County residents interviewed.
2. Neal: Being gay 'no big deal': Jim Neal, candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, reveals on local blog that he is gay.
1. Lancaster defends illegal immigrant policy: Martin Lancaster, president of the state community College System, defends the rights of illegal immigrants to study.
The No. 1 post is tops in another area. Thanks in part to a link on a local Web site opposed to illegal immigration, it generated 219 comments—the most of any Dome post this year.



