Politics. As usual.

Many observers think the race for governor in 2008 will come down to which of two Democratic Council of State members can out 'good-old-boy' the other ... Bev Perdue or Richard Moore.

(On the wingnut Republican side, the likely candidate is Paving King Fredly Smith, who will have the unenviable job of convincing North Carolinians that asphalt plants are our friends. Smith has more money than god, and doesn't mind spending it. Chances are he'll burn enough cash to make things competitive, but I'm predicting it will be for naught. People are starting to catch on. The government-hating right is filled with hypocrites who slop at the public trough (like Smith does) when it serves to line their bulging pockets.)

Which brings us back to the Dick and Bev Show.

Though Lt. Gov. Perdue is most assuredly a woman, she can sling down-home bulloney with the best of them and is already building a sizeable war chest. Plus Roy Cooper is out of the race, which makes her the greenest (as in environmentalist) candidate in the pack. She's also the go-to choice for those of us who are sick of being subjugated to the politics of white old rich men. I hate that Perdue voted for the goddamned lottery, but I need to get over it. She's going to be the next governor.

From what I know about Richard Moore, he's ambitious and competent, and already working hard in the race for the mansion. He's also plastering his face all over god's earth in his role as NC Treasurer.

One program Moore is pushing to the limits of political propriety is something called NC Cash which returns unclaimed property to its rightful owners. This kind of program is up and running in most states, and it's a good thing for the people of North Carolina. But is it a good thing for Moore to be using the program as part of his gubernatorial campaign?

My wife went to the trouble to reclaim some lost money using the NC Cash program - and today received a check for around sixty bucks, along with this flyer. In case you can't read it, here's the copy at the bottom of the piece.

"It's my job to put your cash back in your pocket. Please check out NCCash.com. It's easy, and it's free."

Hmmmm. I thought Mr. Moore's job was to be a responsible steward of the state's finances.

I don't fault Moore for promoting himself this way. It's legal. Just like it's legal for Art Pope to spend corporate money to buy elections for the state legislature. Just like it's legal for George Bush to fly all over the country on Air Farce One, raising money for government-hating theocrats dedicated to destroying America's moral standing.

I know it's legal. But it shouldn't be.