Come, ye thankful politicians, come ...

As you settle down to your turkey and pumpkin pie today, no doubt you'll count your blessings. We here at Dome are thankful for one of the most memorable election seasons in North Carolina history.

But what about the state's political types? What might they be giving thanks for?

Here are some of our guesses.

GOV.-ELECT BEVERLY PERDUE: Barack Obama and his massive campaign effort in North Carolina.

NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS: See above.

U.S. SEN.-ELECT KAY HAGAN: Sen. Charles Schumer, head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who sent millions of dollars and the season's funniest old-guy political ads into North Carolina for Hagan's campaign.

Bigger-name Democrats, who didn't get into the Senate race because they thought Dole was unbeatable.

Rocking chairs, which became a symbol for old and out-of-touch during the race against Dole.

STATE SENATE LEADER MARC BASNIGHT: A new governor who was once part of his team.

A new U.S. senator who was once part of his team.

A new lieutenant governor who was once part of his team.

STATE SEN. TONY RAND: That he is part of Basnight's team.

GOV. MIKE EASLEY: Wife, Mary, who was able to land a high-paying job at N.C. State.

N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY: Connections in high places, now that Wolfpack alum Robert Gibbs is going to be the White House press secretary for Barack Obama.

U.S. REP.-ELECT LARRY KISSELL: That the second time was a charm.

FORMER STATE BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION MEMBER LOUIS SEWELL: That he got road money near his property in Jacksonville before Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett took it all for a loop highway in his hometown of Fayetteville.

U.S. SEN. RICHARD BURR: That he wasn't on the ballot this year. And that now he is the senior senator from North Carolina.

LT. GOV.-ELECT WALTER DALTON, WALTER DALTON, WALTER DALTON: That ads that repeat your name over and over are more effective than one with cartoon pigs.

THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION: That the courts have yet to take action regarding a state auditor's investigation into preferential treatment within the agency. The commission stalled the probe by filing a lawsuit, and now Auditor Les Merritt, a Republican, is a lame duck.

STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DIRECTOR GARY BARTLETT: That North Carolina was not a Florida or Ohio.

FORMER GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PAT McCRORY: That he didn't resign as mayor of Charlotte.

SEVERAL STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CANINES: That they're no longer being trained by troopers who saw nothing wrong in shocking, swinging and kicking them.

TV VIEWERS: No more political ads!