Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue raised money in New York on Wednesday -- a move that brought howls and charges of hypocrisy from State Treasurer Richard Moore.

In the race for governor, Perdue has sharply criticized Moore because he has taken lots of money from New York donors, many of whom work for investment firms that do business with the state pension fund, which is managed by the treasurer's office. Perdue is a candidate from "Main Street," not "Wall Street," she has said.

On Wednesday. Perdue was in New York to visit the White House Project, a national nonprofit that helps elect women candidates, Perdue spokesman David Kochman said in an e-mail message.

"While there she met with a few people who are frequent donors to Democratic organizations, some of whom are in the financial industry," Kochman wrote, pointing out that 92 percent of Perdue's money has been raised in North Carolina.

Moore's campaign cried foul.

"The hypocrisy of Beverly Perdue fundraising on Wall Street, after months of bashing Richard Moore for the same is exactly why North Carolinians will begin asking, 'Does Beverly Perdue really have the character and consistency to be governor?' " Moore spokeswoman Julie White wrote in an e-mail message.

Wright seeks order

State Rep. Thomas E. Wright asked a court Wednesday to block the state House from potentially expelling him on ethics charges.

A House committee is preparing to meet next week to hear evidence and to consider recommending a punishment. Wright, a Wilmington Democrat, is accused of swindling $350,000 from corporations, charity and his campaign.

In the historic proceeding's latest twist, Wright asked for a restraining order against the House committee because he said it has no authority. A hearing in Wake Superior Court is scheduled for today.

Obama has big lead

Sen. Barack Obama holds a double-digit lead in the latest poll of likely voters in North Carolina.

In its monthly DecisionMaker poll, the Civitas Institute found that Obama led Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary 38 percent to 24 percent, with 38 percent undecided.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain led Mike Huckabee 50-23, with 6 percent favoring U.S. Rep. Ron Paul and 21 percent undecided.

Among Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Perdue led Moore 28-23, with 49 percent undecided.

Among the Republican candidates for governor, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory narrowly led with 18 percent, state Sen. Fred Smith was next at 17 percent, Salisbury businessman Bill Graham got 5 percent, and former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr was at 4 percent. More than half -- 56 percent -- were undecided.

The live telephone poll of 800 likely general election voters was conducted Feb. 20-21. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Cut to the chase

This is a note that state Sen. Vernon Malone, a Raleigh Democrat, made to himself to during a legislative meeting Wednesday on mental health:

"State screwed up

"More than enough mistakes for every player to have a basket full -- damn mess"

Honor for McIntyre

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre is the "Blue Dog of the Week" up in Washington.

McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton, was honored by the congressional Blue Dogs - a group of conservative Democrats who push for fiscal responsibility.

North Carolina's other Blue Dog is Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler of Waynesville.

UNC-CH designated

UNC-Chapel Hill has just been named a "Center of Excellence" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The school will co-lead a program with Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., to study emergency preparedness.

The Center of Excellence for Natural Disasters, Coast Infrastructure and Emergency Management will focus on preparing people and property for natural disasters.

UNC-Chapel Hill is in the congressional district of U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat and chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Homeland Security.