? So far, the only GOP gubernatorial candidate that President Bush has helped is Pat McCrory, reports the AP, though Bush may end up raising money for candidates in Washington and Missouri, too. Beverly Perdue, who as lieutenant governor serves on the state community college board, urges members not to revert to the previous policy of admitting illegal immigrants until more study of the issue is completed. A Swing State Project blogger considers the NC and Washington races to be the most-competitive gubernatorial contests in the nation.

? Southern Political Report‘s Hastings Wyman analyzes the effects of the drilling issue on regional races, including NC’s. CQ ranks the five most-vulnerable Senate seats. Elizabeth Dole doesn’t make the cut, but Kay Hagan’s challenge does get a favorable mention.