The N&R’s Doug Clark is asking forgiveness for previewing parts of D.G. Martin’s column on possible Erskine Bowles replacements before it runs in Sunday’s print edition.

Here’s Martin’s column in today’s Charlotte Observer. In addition to N.C. A&T chancellor Harold Martin, other possible candidates with Triad ties include Leslie Winner, who succeeded Davidson College president Tom Ross (another possible candidate) as executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and Debra Stewart, president of the Council of Graduate Schools who once served as UNCG’s interim chancellor.

Meanwhile, the N&R’s lead editorial says if Bowles (along with Alan Simpson) succeeds at balancing the federal budget by 2105, he’ll “deserve a statue next to Nathanael Greene’s in downtown Greensboro.” If they say so.