Perdue goes public for Obama

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama is a little more public.

After a fairly low-key announcement in March, Perdue began making automated calls and sending out mailers on behalf of Obama this month.

The mailer by Perdue, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, is being sent to black households in North Carolina.

"I've endorsed Barack Obama, because I believe that he is truly committed -- as I am -- to bringing real change for our families," the mailer says.

Perdue's primary opponent, State Treasurer Richard Moore, has also endorsed Obama.

The mailer features a photo of Perdue and Obama together.

Obama spokesman Dan Leistikow said Obama took pictures with both Perdue and Moore during a recent visit.

"It's up to them to use the picture how they see fit," he said. "He's honored to have the support of both candidates."

Leistikow argued that the photos are a sign that North Carolina may be changing.

"Having a candidate like Senator Obama at the top of the ticket -- who has proven that he can bring new people into the process and change the equation for the Democratic Party -- is something that the people in North Carolina recognize," he said.

David Kochman, a spokesman for Perdue's campaign, said the mailer was sent to black households because "the message just has more salience in those households. We'll be having a comprehensive campaign, not just in the African-American community but in most communities across North Carolina."

Poll: Perdue stronger

Perdue has bounced back in the gubernatorial race, according to a new poll.

A survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Perdue with 41 percent support in the Democratic primary, followed by Moore with 33 percent.

Twenty-three percent were undecided.

Last week's tracking poll by PPP showed Perdue and Moore in a statistical dead heat.

The automated telephone survey of 928 likely Democratic primary voters was done April 5-6. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

The same poll showed that Obama has a 20-point lead over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary.

The weekly tracking poll showed Obama at 54 percent, followed by Clinton at 33 percent. Thirteen percent were undecided.

Union backing

The N.C. Teamsters union, which represents 14,000 workers in North Carolina, has endorsed Perdue.

"Bev Perdue has always been an effective advocate and a fighter for working families in North Carolina," Teamsters President Jack Cipriani said Monday in a statement.

Obama vote drive

Obama's voter registration drive is getting a last-minute push.

The Democratic presidential candidate announced Monday the "Carolina Change Challenge" to encourage voters of all ages to register.

The challenge has a special focus on 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by November. In North Carolina, those voters will also be able to cast ballots in the primary May 6.

Over the weekend, all 20 Obama field offices sent out more than 1,000 volunteers to register "thousands and thousands" of new voters, according to Deputy National Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand.

"We've registered Democrats, we've registered Republicans, we've registered independents," Hildebrand said.

As part of the campaign, actress and singer Tatyana Ali, best known for her role as Ashley on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," will campaign for Obama on college campuses across the state Wednesday and Thursday.

North Carolina residents can register by Friday or register and vote at one-stop sites between April 17 and May 3.

Smith gets a boost

Lee Greenwood is coming to Raleigh.

The country singer is appearing at 10 rallies across North Carolina on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith.

Greenwood will perform his song "From Good to Great," written for Smith's campaign, and his staple, "God Bless the U.S.A." The events are billed as "an evening of patriotism and music."

Those who attend the rally will also have a chance to meet Smith and Greenwood afterward.

The Smith campaign will hold the rally at the Hilton North Raleigh at 3415 Wake Forest Road from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.