News-Record.com

Bev Perdue dropped by this morning for a chat with some of our editorial staff. We had a pleasant conversation. Our lieutenant governor really is very charming.

We talked a good bit about her positive campaign pledge, which she called a personal decision and considers a "unilateral risk."

She regretted trading attack ads with Richard Moore, her rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

"I thought the whole tone was just toxic," she said. "I was just sick of it."

She referred to herself and Moore, the state treasurer, as good leaders who have "really worked hard for people in North Carolina" but were spending $6 million to $7 million "tearing each other down." It was bad for the party, she said, "like fighting in the family, like a brother and sister fighting."

Outside the "family" might be a different story, however. She declined to commit to a strictly positive campaign against a Republican opponent if she wins the Democratic nomination.

"I don't know yet," she said, saying that's something she'd think about on May 7. "One race at a time."

For consistency, I think she'll have to renew her pledge. If negative campaigning is toxic and sickening in a primary campaign, it can't be justified in a general election race.

Even if you think Republicans deserve it.

Interestingly enough, the GOP candidates have been very respectful in their campaigning to date.

On another political subject, Perdue has broadcast her support for Barack Obama, particularly to black voters. It's a good way to curry favor. Moore's doing the same.

That's the presidential race. I asked Perdue if she's backing anyone in her party's U.S. Senate primary. Arguably, there's a stronger reason to do so because representation for North Carolina is at stake.

Nope. She'll wait until May 7 on that one, too -- meaning she'll support whomever wins the Dem nomination.

Staying out of primaries is customary, but Perdue and Kay Hagan have worked together for many years. As lieutenant governor, Perdue is presiding officer of the state Senate, where Hagan serves. And Perdue was a fellow senator before winning her present office in 2000. But there's not as much political advantage in backing Hagan as there is in hitching on to Obama's star.

Oh, something else on May 7: If Moore beats her, that's the day she'll start working for his election as governor, Perdue said.

But she'd rather that he be the one supporting her. In fact, she's positive about it.