Basnight has bright idea

Senate leader Marc Basnight gave a holiday gift to members of the Senate that he hopes will shine brightly all year and maybe flip a few switches -- a compact fluorescent light bulb.

"Your Christmas gift this year is something that can make a positive environmental impact on our state," Basnight wrote in a note accompanying the 100-watt equivalent 23-watt fluorescent bulbs which were hand delivered to each senator's office.

Basnight is a convert to fluorescent bulbs, which use less electricity and produce less heat than incandescent lights and help curb growth in electricity demand. He has replaced the lights in his office and Manteo restaurant and hopes senators will take a shine to them.

"By simply unscrewing a bulb and screwing another one in, conservation occurs," Basnight said.

The Legislative Building and adjoining Legislative Office Building gradually have converted to fluorescent fixtures in recent years.

The lighting changes conserved about 1 million kilowatt hours a year and saved about $60,000 to $70,000, according to Tony Goldman, director of administration for the legislature.

Graham's new hire

Bill Graham has parted ways with a campaign consultant.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate's new campaign manager, Marty Ryall, issued a statement Friday saying he would no longer be working with a firm run by former Raleigh mayor Tom Fetzer and Mark Stephens.

"Through a cordial and mutual agreement we are no longer working with Fetzer Stephens," he said in a statement. "We appreciate the work Tom and Mark have done for the campaign and we wish them all the best in the future."

Fetzer Stephens has worked with Graham since 2005, including managing his campaign to cap the state gas tax. Graham paid the firm more than $2.3 million to buy air time, produce ads and give consulting services on that issue before starting his gubernatorial bid.

The firm managed his campaign until mid-December, when he hired Ryall, a one-time adviser to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Burr is also on trail

Think John Edwards is the only Tar Heel senator or former senator on the trail in Iowa and New Hampshire? Think again.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a Republican from Winston-Salem, spent a day in Iowa last week in the service of Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Burr worked the phones for a couple of hours, then spoke at two caucuses. He said residents seemed pleased to hear from a sitting U.S. senator who knows McCain personally.

Burr planned to be in New Hampshire today. He didn't know Friday what he would be doing, but he has been trying to convey his personal message about McCain.

"He's the only one you see being comfortable in the Oval Office from Day One," Burr said.

Ben & Jerry weigh in

Edwards is getting the ice cream vote.

Edwards has been endorsed by Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, as well as a handful of other business, labor and political leaders from Vermont.

Cohen's support may be most helpful. He was scheduled to travel to New Hampshire, according to the campaign, to hand out free ice cream "and help build campaign momentum" before Tuesday's primary.

"Thank you for second place."

-- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, conceding his loss to Barack Obama in the Iowa caucuses