Perdue wants endowment for campaigns

The latest twist in the Board of Transportation fundraising controversy has gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue calling upon her opponent, Pat McCrory, to support her proposal for a private endowment that would finance future elections.

The N&O reported Thursday that a big fundraiser for McCrory, the Republican Charlotte mayor, had done virtually the same thing as one of Perdue's money raisers did -- used his clout as a transportation board member to steer a road project near his property. McCrory's fundraiser, Tommy Pollard, did it 20 years ago, while Perdue's fundraiser, Louis Sewell, did it four years ago.

Pollard and Sewell are cousins who live in Jacksonville. Pollard supports Republicans, while Sewell, a registered Republican, generally supports Democrats. Pollard's actions on the board were the subject of a state investigation, but no wrongdoing was found. Sewell became the subject of an ethics investigation and resigned from the board last week.

Sewell's troubles caused McCrory to press for Perdue to return any funds Sewell had raised for her in the past eight years. On Thursday, Perdue said McCrory should back her idea of an endowment fund that would provide equal amounts of campaign money to legitimate candidates, freeing them of having to raise money from special interests.

"If Pat McCrory believes his own words, he should join Bev Perdue in supporting campaign finance reform that would take the big money out of gubernatorial elections," said Perdue spokesman David Kochman.

McCrory in minor crash

McCrory was involved in a fender-bender Wednesday between campaign appearances.

The Charlotte mayor was a passenger in a car that collided with another vehicle in Salisbury, said Jack Hawke, a campaign strategist.

Neither McCrory nor the campaign aide driving the car was hurt, Hawke said. They used the same vehicle to go to the next event in Winston-Salem.

The campaign aide told Hawke that the driver of the other vehicle admitted to not seeing McCrory's car and apologized.

Palin to N.C. this month

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will make at least two visits to North Carolina this month.

The Alaska governor's first stop will be at East Carolina University in Greenville on Tuesday night. She'll speak at a "Road to Victory" rally at Minges Coliseum. Doors open at 5 p.m.

She'll appear at a fundraiser Oct. 16 at the Greensboro home of businessman Louis DeJoy and former Ambassador Aldona Wos. DeJoy is the state chairman for the McCain-Palin campaign.

Palin is substituting for President Bush, who canceled his scheduled event at the DeJoy home because of the credit crisis.

Edwards going to Indiana

Former Sen. John Edwards is set to break down election results and talk about life as a major candidate one week after Election Day.

Edwards had canceled public appearances until after the election, saying he didn't want the controversy surrounding his extramarital affair to hurt Democrats. But he's scheduled to speak at Indiana University on Nov. 11.

"Edwards will dissect the general election results and forecast how they will affect the state of political discourse, the American economy and the plight of working families," according to an IU news release on its Web site. "He will also weave stories from his experience running for president into his analysis, describing what it's like to be a major presidential candidate in today's accelerated political and media environment."

Edwards will take questions after his speech.

Hunt urges bailout support

Democrat Jim Hunt, the former four-term governor, wrote to members of the North Carolina delegation urging them to back the financial bailout package.

"I am writing to urge you as strongly as I know how to support the bill to build back America's economy -- it is not simply about Wall Street," said in an e-mail letter. "I have had numerous business leaders around the state tell me that they are losing their business deals and their companies will be badly hurt.

"In addition, Carolyn and I are facing the loss of our retirement funds -- much of which was planned to pay college tuition for our ten grandchildren," Hunt added. "I assure you that we are going to be watching this vote as no other -- ever."