"E-men" Easley and Edwards absent from the N.C. campaign trail.

RALEIGH (By Jack Betts, The Charlotte Observer) - In a normal election year, with his party facing a tough mid-term election and in desperate need of campaign help, a former governor who enjoyed good ratings most of his time in office would be in considerable demand on the hustings.

So would a former U.S. senator who at one time was thought well enough of to command a national following and make a bid for national office.

But this campaign season, the only revered former governor and elder statesman you're likely to see for the Democratic Party is former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt, who served four terms (1977-85 and 1993-2001).