[yongin]

The folks at PPP are getting giddy about the possibility of Etheridge entering the race. With his campaign warchest from his House campaigns, Etheridge could clear the primary field.

On a local level, has the Tarheel climate improved for the NC GOP? PPP fears that the GOP could take the NC House or even the NC Senate next year.

[MitchellC]

has the Tarheel climate improved for the NC GOP?

Well, I don't think it could get any worse. But conservatives seem to be getting energized everywhere and I'm sure that will have an effect here, regardless of how prepared the NCGOP is to capitalize. There's a new NCGOP chairman and he's already talking about targeting the seats needed to take the general assembly.