The N.C. Democratic Party serves as something of a travel Web site for Gov. Bev Perdue, only she doesn't have to pay, according to the party's most recent campaign finance disclosure.
After first gentleman Bob Eaves lent a Jeep SUV to his wife's 2008 campaign, the state Democratic Party last year paid the property tax of $84.39. Eaves sold the car last spring, according to Andrew Whalen, the party's executive director.
When Eaves joined Perdue on her October trip to Japan and China, the party paid $7,526 for his travel and to upgrade Perdue to business class. The state paid coach fare for Perdue, Whalen said.
The Democratic Party also paid $1,527 in September for Perdue to fly to Washington to attend an event for Emily's List, a political action group that aids female candidates. The flight was provided by Clark Griffin of Greensboro, one of several aircraft owners who provided a total of 31 free flights to Perdue while she was lieutenant governor that she did not disclose until recent months, after her predecessor, Mike Easley, was caught in a scandal involving free flights, among other perks.
Money vs. incumbents
Wealthy challengers in two Charlotte-area congressional districts have pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into their races, giving them a financial edge over the incumbents and other rivals.
The incumbents, Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell in the 8th District and Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry in the 10th, are the only incumbents in North Carolina to trail challengers in the money race.
New campaign finance reports show Republican Tim D'Annunzio has dumped $553,000 into his campaign to win the Republican nomination to challenge Kissell.
The Hoke County businessman already has mounted an aggressive advertising campaign in the district that stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville. D'Annunzio still has $372,500 in the bank, more than Kissell and seven other North Carolina incumbents. Kissell of Biscoe has $318,000.
In the 10th District, which runs west from Lincoln and Iredell counties to the foothills, Republican dentist Scott Keadle has lent his campaign $250,000.
He has nearly $261,000 on hand compared with $149,000 for McHenry of Cherryville.
The reports, filed with the Federal Election Commission, came out a week before campaign filing starts in North Carolina, and three months before the May4 primaries. The reports reflect money raised and spent through Dec.31.
When Foxx met Obama
MSNBC commentator KeithOlbermann called out Rep. Virginia Foxx on his show Monday night for asking President Barack Obama for his autograph during his recent visit with Republican legislators. Foxx, who has opposed Obama on nearly every legislative issue, tweeted about the encounter while at the same time saying the president could use a fact checker.
Olbermann asked rhetorically whether Tea Party activists knew about Foxx's presidential memento-seeking and reminded potential challengers of the May4 Republican Party primary in the congresswoman's district.
Perdue for the Saints
When it comes to Sunday's Super Bowl, the governor said she's a Saints fan.
"I am rooting for New Orleans," Perdue said. "Any of us who watched the town come back from Katrina have a reason to root for them."
By staff writers Mark Johnson, Benjamin Niolet, Michael Biesecker and Jim Morrill of the Charlotte Observer
