"I've been accused of being persistent and downright aggravating," Easley said, as he stood beside Clinton at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center. "But this lady right here makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy."

Easley said Clinton recognizes the connection between education and economic development.

And he made a brief reference to the "Yes, we can" theme of her Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama.

"There's a lot of 'yes, we can' and 'yes, we should' going around," Easley said. "Hillary Clinton is ready to deliver. That's the difference. She's ready to deliver today. Immediately."

Clinton, he said, could lead the country in a turnaround. "I never ever thought the United States of America could get in as much trouble as we have over the past seven or eight years," he said.

The endorsement comes as a big boost for Clinton ahead of the May 6 primary, as she acknowledged today.

"Of course, [Easley's endorsement] is politically very meaningful, but even more than that, it's great to have someone who understands what we have to do to transform our country, to be prepared for the 21st century," Clinton said, standing before a crowd that chanted "Hil-La-Ry. Hil-La-Ry."

Before today's announcement, Clinton toured the Bio-Manufacturing and Training and Education Center at N.C. State's Centennial Campus.

She heaped praise on Easley, saying he helped make the state a leader in education and biotechnology. "Governor Easley has been on a mission, and it is a mission to transform the economy of this state," she said.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.