No surprise that Bill Bell, the mayor of Durham, officially endorsed President Obama. Both Bell and Obama are liberal Democrats so it makes sense. Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane ran in 2011 as an independent. She was endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party in that race and now Mayor McFarlane has endorsed President Obama for a second term. I just can’t figure out why Mayor McFarlane doesn’t proudly claim the Democratic Party I.D. She clearly identifies with the party’s beliefs and views.