The Asheville paper this morning had an article on Pat Smathers of Canton pondering the thought of running for Lt. Governor in 2008, being from out that way I know that the Smathers family has an influence on Haywood County politics but I wonder if that network can extend state wide?  Senator Dalton from Rutherfordton is also on the consideration list, a leading Democrat in the State Senate, and these are two Democrats from the West.  Ed Broyhill from Winston-Salem was mentioned as a possible candidate for the GOP, which leads me to the question will someone from the High Country be the next Lt. Governor?