Orr, 60, has been calling Republicans and plans to spend the next two or three months moving around the state to see whether his candidacy is viable.

"I have been encouraged by the limited response so far," Orr said. "If the response is as encouraging as the initial foray has indicated, then I would probably jump in the race."

For the past two years, Orr has headed the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, which has brought unsuccessful legal challenges against how the state lottery was enacted and against the use of taxpayer subsidies to lure businesses to the state.

Orr, who grew up in Hendersonville, previously practiced law in Asheville. He spent eight years on the N.C Court of Appeals and 10 years on the state Supreme Court.

Orr said he would run as a reform candidate, hoping to bring about improvements in public education, the state's tax structure, the way the state recruits businesses and in ethics, lobbying and campaign finance.

"I've talked to a lot of folks who are discouraged and fed up with the way state government operates," Orr said.

He said he has discussed a possible bid with Raleigh businessman Art Pope, who was instrumental in creating the institute and hiring Orr.

Two Republicans -- state Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton and Bill Graham, a Salisbury lawyer -- also have expressed a strong interest in running.

Other GOP names being mentioned for the 2008 contest include: state Sen. Robert Pittenger of Charlotte, former state Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake of Raleigh and former state GOP Chairman Ferrell Blount of Pitt County.

Easley bets on ASU

Gov. Mike Easley is getting creative. As he has in the past when North Carolina sports teams make it to a big game, he's wagering on the home team -- in this case on Appalachian State in tonight's Division I-AA football championship against the University of Massachusetts. The bet is with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

But instead of a pound of barbecue -- standard for most politicians in these parts -- Easley is mixing it up: At stake is a box of Ashe County cheeses and a basket of North Carolina treats, including summer sausage, Blue Ridge Mountain dried fruit mix and some Cheerwine.

Romney has countered with a New England lobster clambake.

Burr to join Intelligence

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, will join the Senate Intelligence Committee when Congress reconvenes in January. The committee, which meets primarily in secret, is charged with oversight and guidance of the federal government's intelligence gathering.

Burr served on the House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee for four years.

He will continue to serve on Senate committees on veterans' affairs, Indian affairs, energy and natural resources, and health, education, labor and pension.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Salisbury Republican, will pick up a seat on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. She will keep her seats on the Armed Services, Banking and Aging committees.

House GOP to pick leader

House Republicans will meet Sunday in Greensboro to pick a leader.

It appears that Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam of Apex and Rep. Fred Steen of Rowan County are the only candidates for minority leader. Rep. Tim Moore of Cleveland County had expressed an interest but has told people he's not running.

No matter the outcome, House Republicans say they want to put their contentiousness behind them and work together.

"We've been practicing our group hug," Stam said.

Change at auditor's office

Chief Deputy State Auditor Lorrie Dollar is leaving to go into private practice as a lawyer specializing in mediation work.

Her successor is Kris Bailey, the state auditor's legal counsel. Bailey is a former Wake County district judge who made an unsuccessful run for the N.C. Court of Appeals this year.