Perdue defends record on abortion

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, is defending her record on pro-choice issues.

"I don't think there's been anybody who's worked harder on health-care issues, including choice, than me," she told The Charlotte Observer last week.

She also said she has raised money for state lawmakers in support of abortion rights and participated in get-out-the-vote efforts last year for Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Perdue was responding to attacks from her Democratic rival, state Treasurer Richard Moore, that she has wavered on the issue. Moore's campaign pointed to a reduction from $1.2 million to $50,000 in 1995 in the state abortion fund for poor women when Perdue was one of the Senate's chief budget writers.

But, Perdue said at the legislature, "one person doesn't decide anything."

Last year, Perdue recorded a brief telephone message encouraging pro-choice voters to turn out in five key legislative races.

The robocalls, for NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and Planned Parenthood's political action committees, were made on behalf of Rep. Rick Glazier, Sen. Julia Boseman and House Democratic candidates Ty Harrell, Greer Beaty and Ed Ridpath.

Melissa Reed, NARAL's executive director, said she was looking for close races in which the calls might make a difference and she recruited the highest-ranking female elected official she could find.

"Especially for our female members, hearing (a) woman's voice really resonates," she said.

Made for a total of $373, the calls went to 7,462 members of both organizations. Reed said they probably helped Harrell win and boosted Beaty's losing campaign, though they didn't come close in Ridpath's challenge to House Republican Leader Paul Stam.

Despite Perdue's help, Reed said her PAC will probably not make an endorsement in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race between the lieutenant governor and Treasurer Richard Moore since both candidates are acceptable.

"I think it's just wonderful that our two Democratic candidates are so concerned about being pro-choice," she said.

A plea to get help for farmers

North Carolina's drought has landed on the desks of congressional leaders.

Ten of the state's congressional members signed a letter asking Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner for help in getting money for agriculture disaster areas.

The letter follows Gov. Mike Easley's letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Eighty-five of the state's 100 counties have been declared agricultural disaster areas. The latest letter was circulated by Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Lumberton Democrat. Republicans Virginia Foxx, Sue Myrick and Patrick McHenry did not sign the letter.

Judicial confirmation votes today

The U.S. Senate is voting this morning to confirm two U.S. District judges in the state.

William Lindsay Osteen Jr. is slated to be judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, based in Greensboro. Martin Karl Reidinger is slated to be judge for the Western District, based in Charlotte. Both are expected to easily win confirmation.

Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole, both Republicans, spoke on the Senate floor this morning in the judges' favor.

Edwardses a hit in Texas

John and Elizabeth Edwards are making a big splash in Texas.

North Carolina's political power couple are all over the Web site for the Texas Democratic Party. John Edwards gets top billing for winning an "eprimary poll" of Texas Democrats. Elizabeth Edwards is featured for visiting Austin on Monday to talk with the state party chairman about the poll results.

John Edwards won handily over his Democratic presidential rivals. Edwards received 37 percent of the 8,101 votes cast. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama received 21 percent of the votes. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton received 20 percent of the votes.

(Staff writers Ryan Teague Beckwith and Barbara Barrett contributed to this report.)