Dalton draws criticism over Dell incentives

Robert Pittenger is criticizing Walter Dalton's vote to give incentives to Dell.

In a UNC-TV debate last week between the candidates for lieutenant governor, Pittenger said Dalton had a "major conflict of interest" in the vote because Dalton owned Dell stock at the time. Dalton said after the debate that he does not manage his own investments and that the stock did not affect his vote.

And Dalton appears to have sold the stock at a loss.

In 2004, Dell was considering building a computer-assembly plant in the Triad that it said would employ 2,000 people. Lawmakers approved $242 million in incentives over 20 years if Dell were to meet certain benchmarks.

Dalton, a Democrat, voted for the incentives. Pittenger, a Republican, voted against them.

"Probably the biggest concern I have about our differences is that Senator Dalton, he voted for incentives -- a $280 million incentive for Dell -- at the same time that he owns stock in Dell," Pittenger said. "And I would say very clearly that's a major conflict of interest."

Dalton said it was still appropriate for him to vote.

"The key there was, I was voting for jobs for the people of North Carolina," he said.

A Dalton campaign spokeswoman said later that, according to a preliminary review of records, Dalton bought about $10,000 worth of Dell stock in November 1999 and sold it for about $4,000 in February 2007.

Dalton has publicly disclosed owning the stock on his state ethics filings since the 1999-2000 election cycle. In his most recent filing, he listed stocks and options in about 25 companies.

State law generally allows legislators to decide for themselves whether a conflict of interest should keep them from voting.

Palin thanks Dole for support

Sarah Palin rang up U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole last week.

The Republican vice presidential nominee called North Carolina's senior senator to thank her for the kind words Dole had for her in recent days, according to a Dole spokesman.

Dole has called Palin a "spark plug" for the Republican ticket at recent campaign stops, and her campaign has asked about a potential campaign visit to North Carolina.

During the call, the two women talked about Dole's re-election campaign and the recent problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Perdue called an insider

The Republican Governors Association is hitting Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue as an insider.

In a new mailer sent out to independent voters, the national group notes her 21-year career as a legislator and state official and says it's time "for a real change."

"In 1987, gas cost 95 cents a gallon, Dirty Dancing was a box office hit and Bev Perdue began her political career," the mailer says.

It includes pictures of Patrick Swayze, Alf, a green El Camino and a boom box.

Inside, the mailer says Perdue has "become out of touch with the people of North Carolina" and symbolizes the "ineffective pork filled state government."

It attacks her on taxes, spending and ethics questions, and says Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory will expand jobs, prevent "pork barrel spending" and crack down on illegal immigration.

Obama in Charlotte today

Barack Obama will hold a rally in Charlotte today. The Democratic presidential candidate will make his third visit to North Carolina since winning the Democratic primary in May, a sign that the campaign views the state as competitive.

Obama's wife, Michelle, and running mate, Joe Biden, have also made trips to Charlotte in the past week.