Rob Christensen, Raleigh News and Observer

As far as I can recall, Phillip Gilfus is the first Democratic National Committee member to address me as "sir."

Daniel Johnson had dedicated his life to serving others-from his missionary trips with his church to his work as a prosecutor to his courageous act saving a fellow sailor aboard the U.S.S. Blue Ridge.

Please help put Daniel's commitment to public service into action by joining our efforts to send much needed care packages to our military men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From now until Tuesday, August 19th, our campaign will be collecting common household items to help make daily life just a bit easier for our troops. A list of suggested items is below. These items can be found around the house or purchased at a local store.

Please drop off items at our campaign office, 1333 1st Ave SW in Hickory or at Zip Code It, 305 North Sterling Street, Morganton.

Jennifer Steinhauer, The New York Times

Well before Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain rose to the top of their parties, a partisan shift was under way at the local and state level. For more than three years starting in 2005, there has been a reduction in the number of voters who register with the Republican Party and a rise among voters who affiliate with Democrats and, almost as often, with no party at all.

Though the implications of the changing landscape for Obama and McCain are far from clear, the registration numbers may signal the beginning of a move away from Republicans that could affect local, state and national politics over several election cycles. Already, there has been a sharp reversal for Republicans in statehouses and governors' mansions.

The Democratic National Committee today launched a new website, www.TheNextCheney.com that illustrates the most important thing the voters need to know about each of John McCain's potential vice presidential picks: no matter who he chooses, any ticket with John McCain on it means more of the same. As McCain himself said in 2001, "with a little more luck" he'd have asked Dick Cheney to be his vice president. The new site, www.thenextcheney.com, features an initial list of seven contenders poised to be the next Cheney.

Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean began his cross-country Voter Registration Tour in Raleigh, NC at the North Carolina Democratic Party HQ on July 25, 2008. Click the photo above to see pictures of Dean's speech and that of State Chair Jerry Meek.

After a successful kick-off tour through Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana last week, Governor Howard Dean continues his national voter registration efforts in North Carolina this Friday.

The tour builds on the overwhelming enthusiasm and voter turnout seen during the primaries as Democrats mobilize and organize voters for the fall election.

District No Longer "Solid Republican" Because of Daniel Johnson Campaign's Increasing Strength

The Cook Political Report, an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes campaigns, today moved the race in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District out of the "Solid Republican" category.

The Cook Political Report included Daniel Johnson's challenge to Rep. Patrick McHenry on a list of races "worth keeping tabs on."

By BETH FOUHY,
Associated Press Writer

Rivals turned allies, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton made a display of unity Friday in a hamlet named for it, their first joint public appearance since the divisive Democratic primary race ended.

"Unity is not only a beautiful place as we can see, it's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? And I know when we start here in this field in Unity, we'll end on the steps of the Capitol when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as our next president," Clinton said just after she and Obama took the stage together.

Tomorrow, June 24, North Carolina voters will be going to the polls once again to decide the statewide Democratic primary race for the post of NC Commissioner of Labor between Mary Fant Donnan and John C. Brooks.

There is also a run-off between Democrats Don Davis and Kathy A. Taft in NC State Senate District 5. Some counties also have local government or school board run-offs scheduled.

Per North Carolina law, all regular voting sites in your county will be open for the primary run-off on June 24 from 6:30 AM until 7:30 PM.

Download a list of available Early Voting primary run-off sites for more information.

Larry Kissell, Democratic Congressional Nominee in North Carolina's 8th District, today released internal polling results that show him leading incumbent Congressman Robin Hayes 45%-43% in an initial head-to-head match up. Showing Kissell's strength, the poll was taken at the same time Hayes was airing deceptive, negative ads against Kissell.