An email sent out internally by Pat McCrory’s campaign said it all: “It’s freezing in hell tonight!”

The News & Observer endorsed a Republican for Governor. Maybe for the first time ever.

Our old friend Mr. Conventional Wisdom says newspaper endorsements don’t matter. Do they matter when man bites dog?

The McCrory endorsement is a psychological blow for Bev Perdue’s campaign. McCrory already had won an inordinate number of editorial endorsements for a Republican.

But the N&O? This is such a Democratic paper that, as late as 1976, it printed a red rooster – an old Democratic symbol – on its front page when Jimmy Carter won.

In recent years, the N&O has sought to shed the automatic-Democratic tag. This year, it has gone to extraordinary lengths, endorsing John Alexander over Josh Stein in the Wake County Senate race and Paul Stam for House.

But a Republican for Governor?

There are several factors here, along with the N&O’s image-changing bent.

Perdue has failed to separate herself from the stench of scandal, and the N&O prides itself on having unearthed many of those scandals.

McCrory has projected a more moderate image than most Republicans. If elected, he’ll face a choice between pursuing that course and satisfying the Art Pope wing of the party.

Fundamentally, Perdue’s campaign has failed to project a strong positive and progressive message.

The Obama tide may still be enough to save Perdue. Last week, internal polls were giving her campaign a boost of confidence.

And McCrory’s campaign may not have enough money to take advantage of the endorsement.

Still, this is not good news for Perdue a week before Election Day.

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