Regrets? Some Democrats may have a few

Many Democrats celebrated Sen. Elizabeth Dole's defeat.

But a few may have some regrets.

They would be: State Rep. Grier Martin and U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, who were openly recruited to run against Dole this year but took a pass.

Others who had been under consideration: Attorney General Roy Cooper, Gov. Mike Easley and state Treasurer Richard Moore. Moore, who lost a contentious Democratic primary to Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue in the gubernatorial race, would have been a particularly strong candidate given the recent economic troubles.

Other long shots were retired Gen. Hugh Shelton and first lady Mary Easley.

One nation under God since 1954

Dole took a parting shot Tuesday in an otherwise gracious concession speech.

The Salisbury Republican referenced a contentious issue raised in two last-minute ads linking Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan to the Godless Americans political action committee.

The group has called for the words "under God" to be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Two ads criticized Hagan for attending a fundraiser hosted by a member of the group, implying that she supported that position. Hagan does not.

Dole said that she campaigned in Taylorsville last week, near the town's war monuments.

"We began at the Taylorsville event with bowed heads and a prayer to our maker," she said in the speech. "And we did not begin our speechmaking until we faced the flag, placed our hands on our hearts and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. And yes, we pledged allegiance to an America united as one nation, under God."

The remark drew sustained cheers from the crowd.

Incidentally, Dole grew up pledging allegiance without mentioning God.

Those two words were added in 1954, when she was 18 years old.

Democrats keep N.C. Senate seats

Despite predictions of major rightward movement in the state Senate, legislative contests yielded few upsets. Incumbent Democrats in districts considered Republican-leaning were re-elected, although a few got a scare:

* Veteran Democrat David Hoyle of Gaston County defeated Republican Kathy Harrington by about 3 percentage points, according to unofficial returns.

* Democrat Julia Boseman of New Hanover, who is the legislature's first openly gay member, won by 3.3 percentage points. A custody battle with her former partner had led to media reports about Boseman, including disclosures that she defaulted on a $1.3 million loan on her former home.

* Sen. R.C. Soles, the state's longest-serving legislator, barely hung on to his seat representing Columbus, Brunswick and Pender counties. Soles survived a strong challenge from Republican Bettie Fennell, a former newspaper reporter, to win a 21st term in the legislature. He won by 2.9 percentage points. Soles, a lawyer, has also made headlines for embarrassing run-ins with former clients. In one instance, Soles warded off a client with his shoe.

Senate Republicans in February targeted nine seats. They lost eight of those on Tuesday.

Former House member Debbie Clary, a Republican from Cherryville, seems to be the sole pickup. She took the Senate seat vacated by Walter Dalton, who won the lieutenant governor's race.

In the House, Republicans beat two incumbent Democrats, lost two seats, and are close in two races that have not yet been called.

No Democratic mandate, Dalton says

Dalton says Democrats will have to work with Republicans to get things done.

"I think the vote totals were very close, so I think this is still a two-party state," said the lieutenant governor-elect. "We've got to bring people together."

Dalton said Robert Pittenger, his Republican opponent in the race, called him Tuesday night. The race took a harsh tone in the last weeks of the campaign, with Pittenger accusing Dalton of loading state budgets with pork and Dalton emphasizing in ads Pittenger's wealth.

Dalton said there were no hard feelings.

"He called and congratulated me," Dalton said. "Some attack ads I didn't agree with, and it wasn't pleasant to hear those, but I understand it's politics."