? National Journal offers a round-up of recent developments in the North Carolina governor’s race, discussing the President Bush fundraiser for Pat McCrory and Saturday’s candidate forum.

? The Charlotte Observer dings Beverly Perdue and McCrory for emphasizing the state’s transportation needs but not spelling out the means to collect more revenue for transportation projects.

? In his latest analysis of competitive U.S. Senate contests, Stuart Rothenberg lists North Carolina, Kentucky, and Mississippi as three states to watch for upsets if a large, nationwide Democratic wave develops in the fall.