The former governor recently told Dome that he believes the state could go for the Democratic presidential nominee for the first time since 1976, though it's too early to know for sure.

"I think it's the fact that so many things are messed up in the country," said Hunt, who did not endorse Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary. "I think there's just tremendous enthusiasm for Barack Obama, particularly among young people and African-Americans, but also in an awful lot of other people."

North Carolina has been thought to be up for grabs before, notably in 1992 when Bill Clinton contested the state and early in the 2004 race when John Edwards was on the ticket.

Though he said he'll work to get Obama elected, Hunt said he isn't looking for a job in his administration.

"I think those days are gone," he said. "I'm not interested in leaving North Carolina."

Who would Andy vote for?

Sheriff Andy Taylor would vote for John McCain and Beverly Perdue.

According to a survey by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, the fictional Mayberry sheriff played by Andy Griffith would split his ticket in state and federal races.

In the presidential race, 35 percent of likely voters said Andy would vote for McCain, followed by 25 percent for Barack Obama and 5 percent for Libertarian Bob Barr.

In the gubernatorial race, 34 percent said he would vote for Perdue, 23 percent for Republican nominee Pat McCrory and 6 percent for Libertarian Mike Munger.

"The good sheriff always came across as a moderate Democrat, and the voting pattern respondents think he would adopt is one that explains why North Carolina votes Republican for president, election after election, while continuing by and large to elect Democratic governors," pollster Tom Jensen writes.

On a separate question, 56 percent of voters had a favorable impression of Griffith, 9 percent an unfavorable opinion and 35 percent no opinion.

The automated survey of 648 likely voters was taken June 26-29. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Budget process could improve

The closed-door budget negotiations have irked the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, which sent a letter to legislative leaders and budget writers.

The coalition gives lawmakers credit for increasing openness in recent years, but "the current session highlights the need for greater openness and transparency and for making additional improvements in the budget process," wrote Jane Pinsky, the coalition's director.

She listed several measures that would open up the legislature, including giving lawmakers three days to review a budget -- typically the densest, most far-reaching bill they have to consider each year. She also recommended at least 24 hours advance notice of any committee or subcommittee meetings.

"If the North Carolina General Assembly wants to continue to enjoy the confidence and support of our citizens, then it must open up this critical process and create a budget that truly belongs to the people of North Carolina," Pinsky wrote.

A News & Observer reporter was barred from attending a joint meeting of House and Senate budget negotiators recently.

Polling on possible veeps

Barack Obama is probably not going to pick Gov. Mike Easley as a running mate.

There are a number of reasons: Easley's low national profile, his endorsement of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary, his dislike of the ceremonial duties that the veep job entails.

Still, the results of a recent poll by Public Policy Polling on the effects of a vice presidential candidate on North Carolina voters are intriguing.

Twenty-two percent of voters said they would be less likely to vote for an Obama-Easley ticket, while only 11 percent said they would be more likely.

By contrast, 15 percent said they'd be less likely if John Edwards were picked, while 19 percent said they would be more likely; and 13 percent said they'd be less likely if Clinton were picked, while 18 percent said they would be more likely.

Perhaps voters were wary of seeing another Easley-Obama fist-bump?