Governor-elect Bev Perdue is wrestling with two public images. One is the picture in Sunday’s N&O of her with Marc Basnight, with Basnight looming over her. The other is her vow election night to make a “fresh start.”

Her speech was odd. She sounded tired, even touchy. She reprimanded the crowd for not listening. Clearly, she had something she wanted them to hear.

The words were interesting: “Fresh start…action…transparency and accountability…change orders…there’s a new sheriff in town…Change the financing of governor’s elections…change DOT…openness.”

In other words, the message some people thought she lacked during the campaign. Of course, better late than never.

But skepticism reigns, especially in the media that will be scrutinizing her. Her critics will look for fodder to tag her again as “Status Quo Bev.”

Even her Democratic allies are concerned. Democrats have already defied the odds by winning five straight gubernatorial races in North Carolina.

Just as voters punished Bush and the Republicans for incompetence and cronyism in this election, Democrats could be punished in two years. And the legislature elected in 2010 will do redistricting.

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