In the view of one national political pundit, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue tops the list as the most vulnerable gubernatorial incumbent in the country next year.
Chris Cillizza, who writes the politics blog for Washingtonpost.com, lists the five governors' seats most likely to change hands in 2012. North Carolina is No. 1.
"It's never good for an incumbent when poll numbers that show you losing by seven points are viewed as positive news," Cillizza writes. "But that's where Gov. Bev Perdue finds herself in what looks like a rematch against former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.
"The x-factor in this race is what effect the fact that Democrats will hold their national convention in the Tar Heel State will have on it. It should help energize Democratic base voters, but also could remind Republicans that Perdue is part of a national party they do not like."
Fundraising begins anew
Although we just finished with an election, for members of Congress it just means a new round of fundraising begins for the next election cycle.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, the Republican from Cherryville, has a lunch scheduled Tuesday at the Capitol Hill Club. The cost is $1,000 for individuals and $2,500 for co-sponsors.
Rep. Larry Kissell, the Democrat from Biscoe, has a "birthday bash reception" Wednesday at the Erickson & Co. Townhouse. It costs $1,000 to wish him happy birthday. On March 29, Kissell will be back at the Erickson & Co. Townhouse for his "kickoff to spring reception." The cost of that event ranges from $1,000 to $2,500.
Rep. David Price, the Democrat from Chapel Hill, holds a "Battle of the N.C. Blues" Wednesday at the Top of the Hill in Washington. The event costs $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a political action committee.
Rep. Mel Watt, a Democrat from Charlotte, holds a lunch Feb. 17 at the National Democratic Club Townhouse. The event costs $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a PAC, and $2,500 for a PAC chair.
Rep. Heath Shuler, a Democrat from Bryson City, holds a "welcome back luncheon" March 30 at the National Democratic Club Townhouse. An individual pays $1,000, and a sponsor pays $2,500.
What barbecue?
Over at The Charlotte Observer, occasional Dome correspondent Jim Morrill is covering the Democrats' decision to hold their national convention in the Queen City. Morrill writes that first lady Michelle Obama waded into deep waters when she described Charlotte as "a city marked by its Southern charm ... and of course great barbecue."
Morrill notes that The Associated Press followed with a story that quoted John Shelton Reed, a UNC-Chapel Hill professor and author of "Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue." Reed's take on the city's culinary skills when it comes to Q? "As a barbecue town, Charlotte is, 1, not what it used to be; 2, like Minneapolis for gumbo; 3, good enough for Yankees; 4, not far from Shelby," he told the AP reporter.
Morrill writes, "POLITICO piled on. 'The gaffe was enough to make you wonder whether the White House had simply cut and pasted Southern clichés to create the first lady's announcement,' in a story picked up by the Drudge report.
"A Fox News website also implied that Obama's praise for barbecue was at odds with her push for healthy eating, noting in a Fox Nation blog post, 'Studies show a barbecue meal weighs in at around 2,500 calories.'
"Finally, the group Media Matters joined the fray. 'It's like mocking someone for saying that while visiting Los Angeles they plan to visit Disneyland. Ha! Disneyland is in Anaheim, not L.A.! Or that a visit to New York City might involve catching a Jets game. Ha! They play in New Jersey!' "
