Dole and Easley
News & Observer columnist Rob Christensen was probably on to something last month when he wrote a column comparing former Sen. Elizabeth Dole and former Gov. Mike Easley, “Elegy for two public introverts.” Both won public office easily, but neither seemed completely at ease in public office. They made public appearances, but not enough for voters to feel they were in touch. And both had the bad luck to follow politicians who had become icons ó Jesse Helms and Jim Hunt. “Think Bill Guthridge after Dean Smith. Or Les Robinson after Jim Valvano,” Christensen said. Gov. Bev Perdue and Sen. Kay Hagan now face the challenge of standing apart from predecessors and making their own way. They can start by staying visible.