[JohnnyZ]

Re NC Senate: No mention of Hunt -- they said Elaine Marshall was probably out b/c of her dismal showing in the primary. They did mention Lt Gov Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore, but not Erskine Bowles, though others have.

Re NC Gov: former Charlotte mayor Richard Vinroot is going to give it another go (he lost in 2000) but may have that 'L' firmly attached to his forehead at this point; current Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory could jump in but not very likely at this point, and I don't think he was even mentioned; I believe Rep. Robin Hayes, who was targeted this year after his fast track vote but swatted away challenger Chris Kouri, is seriously looking at a run. I think some state senator too -- probably Ballantine or someone.

Apparently a couple of folks smell blood in Florida -- Rep. Tom Foley (R) is looking to up his profile while Bill McCollum wants to tango for a senate seat, again. Bob Graham may retire, may run for Prez, may just run for reelection.

[GraniteStateConservative]

McCollum was an awful candidate. He couldn't beat a lowly Insurance Commissioner for an open Republican Senate seat. Has Bush appointed him to some post in the administration? No, because he's not viewed as politically viable or worthy of support. Here's a guy who spent 20 years in the House and served 6 years as the Crime Subcommittee Chair, and couldn't establish any statewide network for a Senate run during that time. Mark Foley will get the nomination before Bill.