Two small Under the Dome items in The News & Observer deserve more attention: Richard Moore’s endorsement of Barack Obama – which actually happened last month – and Pat McCrory’s dismissal of his campaign manager – the one who claimed a hacker caused the campaign to spoil its own kickoff by misspelling governor.

Inexplicably, the N&O missed Moore’s endorsement. Of course, stuff happens. But why didn’t Moore’s campaign made a bigger deal of it?

The endorsement may be a sign Moore is struggling. He’s well behind Bev Perdue among black voters. He needs to change the dynamic of the race. Which is why he called for more debates. Losing candidates, like losing card players, always yell, Deal!

The McCrory move probably is due to Jack Hawke. I wondered earlier whether Jack, who could possibly be even older than me, has the energy to turn around the campaign’s Charlotte mindset. Clearly, he does. Clearly, he has the clout he needs with McCrory.

Given how well McCrory is doing in head-to-head polls with Moore and Perdue, this development bodes ill for Democrats. I hereby call upon Jack Hawke to spare himself, go back home and take a well-deserved vacation.

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