The N&O pointed out that The New York Times may be a tad premature in touting Bev Perdue’s national prospects.

But if Hillary Clinton does not become the first woman President – now or in four years or in eight years – there is a good chance a North Carolina woman will be.

Here’s why:

Any candidate – Democrat or Republican – who can win a race for Governor or Senate in a state as politically competitive as North Carolina is someone to be reckoned with on the national level. That has been true for a long time: Witness Terry Sanford, Jim Hunt, Jesse Helms, Mike Easley, John Edwards, Richard Burr and Liddy Dole.

Thus, any woman who meets that test in North Carolina is automatically on that magical national list. Witness Perdue and, perhaps, Kay Hagan.

With the exception of Clinton, the best attribute of candidates in the May 6 primary was being a woman. Witness the Council of State races. Witness the legislature. Witness the judgeships.

The one ceiling that limits women in North Carolina is the longevity of incumbent Congressmen. Otherwise we would have another bumper crop of promising female candidates.

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