Perdue wasn't pushed out, Obama campaign manager says

(Winston-Salem Journal) - Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue did not consult with the White House or with President Barack Obama's campaign before abandoning her re-election bid, Obama national campaign manager Jim Messina told the The Charlotte Observer during a visit to North Carolina this week.

Some political analysts have said that not having to run with Democrat Perdue, who's been lagging in the polls, would help Obama in his bid to win North Carolina and its 15 electoral votes.

But Messina shot down any notion that Perdue acted on Obama's suggestion.