In an attempt to restore credibility, the White House this week appointed a new security chief, Charles Easley.
He ran for governor of North Carolina in 2000 but lost to Democrat Mike Easley, the state's former attorney general.
Governor MIKE EASLEY (Democrat, North Carolina): I see the presidential race in North Carolina as a toss-up right now but moving pretty strongly toward Obama.
Governor EASLEY: Well, you know, in North Carolina, what the people focus on is education, economy, those things that I focus on when I'm running.
Gov. Perdue, the first female governor in the state's history, succeeds Gov. Mike Easley, who was barred by term limits from running for a third term.
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Easley sought to fight off Ballantine's criticism and rebuff a GOP sweep across the South that had already overturned governorships in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi.
Easley had focused on his record as governor, including declining unemployment -- down 2 percentage points over two years -- and rising average test scores in state schools.
First, to the Democratic governor of North Carolina, Mike Easley.
Ms. Easley added one more essential accessory: good posture.
Easley used the power of the incumbency during the campaign to help raise money and maintain a high profile as he fought Ballantine on issues ranging from the economy to health care.
Despite a sagging economy -- North Carolina had its share of recent economic and budgetary woes, the blame for which was placed by Republicans at Easley's feet -- a number of polls showed that Easley headed into November with a solid lead.
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