North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley endorses Hillary Clinton

[ElsewheresDaughter]

Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the endorsement of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, a surprise boost to her candidacy in a state where Barack Obama is heavily favored to win the Democratic primary. Easley was expected to announce his endorsement formally on Tuesday morning in Raleigh

http://www.taylormarsh.com/

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. *****crickets*****

[Jed Dilligan]

2. Congratulations on the support of a fellow Conservative Democrat. nt

[DemGa]

3. Very good news!

[Gore1FL]

4. That is a significant pick for her

That could give her a much improved ground game in NC.

I do doubt it is everything that she needs, (because at this stage she needs a whole honking lot), but it should be cause for happiness for Clinton supporters as besides a super delegate, she picked up campaign infrastructure in the biggest remaining state.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

5. I hear Elizabeth Edwards is endorsing her too.

[Gore1FL]

6. That sort of suprises me, though I heard it too

As a supported of Edwards, I went with Obama as (I hesitate to say second choice, but second of those remaining) because the reasons I supported Edwards were most identifiable with Obama.

Frankly, over the past months, I actually like Elizabeth Edwards more than I like John Barack or Hillary.

[MattNC]

7. Doubtful

Does it hurt? Of course not. I'm sure she might go up an extra point or two thanks to conservative Dems who may have been on the fence. But Mike Easley is not Ed Rendell by any means. He's a lame duck governor with sagging popularity, potentially facing investigation, and has little statewide organization.

[Gore1FL]

11. I'm not sayig it gives her a chance

But pretty much agree with you on an extra point or two. It is more significance than some SD's have to offer.

[mmonk]

8. For all that want to know what kind of democrat he is,

he wouldn't be seen with Kerry/Edwards in 04 whenever they were in the state.

[bermudat]

9. Easley is the strangest democrat I have ever seen.

He doesn't come to the state democratic convention, he doesn't attend the state's largest democratic

fundraiser, he just doesn't attend democratic rank and file functions. It's almost like he doesn't want to

be seen with other democrats. When I moved here several years ago, I asked other delegates where is the

governor? Someone told me he was shy. Shy? A governor? Strange. I guess he doesn't mind being seen

with Senator Clinton.

[my3boyz]

10. Perhaps he is really not a dem. LOL He certainly chose to support someone who is not really a dem.

The pundits were saying that this guy supported her because he is not running again. The people that are running for his job are backing Barack. They said this guy is pretty much it for Hillary. They said he is strong with the groups in North Carolina that Hill is trying to appeal to.

[MattNC]

12. Indeed

That's why I was surprised he made an endorsement at all. He has stayed as far away from national Democratic politics as someone in his position can. (I don't think he attended the Kerry-Edwards rally in Raleigh.) It is his right to endorse whomever he wants, and maybe he thinks Clinton is the best for the job. I'm just not sure what he thinks he'll be accomplishing. Since he's retiring, he may not care.

[populust]

15. He's a political loner

And shuns press conferences and campaigning. He reportedly loathes to stump and his handlers
prep him for every jot and tittle. He's also dyslexic and has a tendency to flub public speaking Dubya style.

[populust]

13. Easley has zero state clout

He is associated with more negative than positive…
But chalk up one more SD for Hillary. In fact the two dems running for guv, Moore and Purdue
have endorsed Obama.

Easley is known for crashing multiple Nascars, wasting millions in mental health reform, and firing a whistle blower public information officer when she delivered public records to the press. She also exposed the guv's penchant for deleting public records and blatant disregard for sunshine laws. His administration currently faces a lawsuit levied by the NC Press association.

He has kept political company with Jim Black (who was speaker of the House and is now in the Big House).

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. LOL okay keep drinking the pink stuff

[MattNC]

16. what did he say

that's inaccurate? nothing.

[rodeodance]

18. every time...

[rodeodance]

17. GOOD FOR YOU HILLARY

[Beacool]

19. Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great endorsement for her!!! I hope that he can do for Hillary what Rendell did for her in PA.