NC gov Easley speaking up on Obama’s behalf

RALEIGH — Back in May, Gov. Mike Easley was giving advice to Hillary Rodham Clinton about how to beat Barack Obama in North Carolina.

Now Easley is talking strategy on Obama’s behalf.

The two-term outgoing governor was set to participate Wednesday in a conference call with two Obama political operatives to outline the campaign’s plan to win North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes.

Easley endorsed Clinton a week before the May 6 primary. But Obama won the election handily. The victory is considered by some a turning point in Obama’s drive to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Obama national political director Patrick Gaspard and state director Marc Farinella also will participate with Easley.

A Democrat hasn’t won North Carolina’s electoral votes since 1976.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)