The economy and jobs are the top concerns of likely voters in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in North Carolina on May 6, according to the latest surveys by Public Policy Polling.

But Democratic and Republican concerns were dramatically different on other issues.

When PPP asked likely Democratic primary voters which of seven issues were "most important to you," the overwhelming top choices were the economy and jobs (48 percent) and the war in Iraq (25 percent).

Next were health care (7 percent) and education (7 percent), and then moral or family values (5 percent), immigration (3 percent) and taxes (3 percent).

When the same questions were asked of likely Republican primary voters, the top concerns were the economy and jobs (30 percent) and moral or family values (20 percent).

Next were the war in Iraq (16 percent), taxes (13 percent) and immigration (12 percent). Trailing the pack were education (4 percent) and health care (3 percent).

Poll: GOP likes McCrory

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is leading the pack pursuing the Republican nomination for governor, according to the latest survey by PPP.

PPP, a Democratic firm, surveyed 744 likely Republican primary voters March 29-30. It found that 35 percent of those surveyed preferred McCrory, while 23 percent favored state Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton. Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham and former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr both came in at 7 percent.

The margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

More than a quarter of those surveyed -- 28 percent -- were undecided.

Stumping for Obama

The political surrogates are coming.

Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign announced Tuesday that Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle will campaign on Obama's behalf today in Raleigh and Thursday in Greenville, Goldsboro and Wilmington.

Obama's campaign also announced that actors Shawn and Marlon Wayans will be visiting North Carolina colleges this weekend. Their mission -- to get students registered to vote.

Obama's campaign said the Wayans brothers will be part of a larger effort to get people registered by North Carolina's Tuesday's deadline.

The actors are scheduled to visit N.C. State, N.C. Central, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, N.C. A&T, UNC-Greensboro, Winston-Salem State and Wake Forest.

Bill Clinton back Friday

Bill Clinton is coming back.

After having toured the western part of North Carolina on March 28, the former president plans to spend Friday on a swing through the state's southern regions.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign announced that her husband will campaign in Pembroke, Laurinburg and Monroe on Friday.

Perdue seeks black vote

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue is trying to make sure black voters are aware of her endorsement of Obama.

David Kochman, a spokesman for Perdue's campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor, told Dome that the campaign has made automated calls to likely voters in African-American households.

Here's what Perdue said in the recorded message:

"I want you to know that I endorse Barack Obama for president. I've been a lifetime member of the NAACP, and Barack Obama and I share a commitment for equal opportunity for all Americans. It's such an exciting time. We have a chance to make history in America and right here in North Carolina. This is Bev Perdue. I'd appreciate your support in my campaign for governor. Thanks so much and have a great day."

More seek shot at $500

State lottery officials say they have hit another jackpot with the addition this week of a second Carolina Pick 3 drawing each day.

The lottery added a daytime drawing Monday to its three-digit numbers game that pays a top prize of $500. The lottery already offered a nightly drawing in the game, so players now have two chances each day to win -- or lose.

Tom Shaheen, the lottery's executive director, said Tuesday that Pick 3 sales Monday were up about 15 percent from the game's previous record sales day. Shaheen said other states have experienced a 5 percent to 9 percent increase when they added a second daily drawing.

"We are off to a good start and should be on track to achieve what has occurred in other jurisdictions over the long run," he said.