Hillary Clinton Watch: Endorsed by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., smiles as she receives the endorsement of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

Senator Hillary Clinton picked up an important North Carolina endorsement and Democrat Superdelegate today with her endorsement by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.

Governor Mike Easley endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton Tuesday, boosting her presidential bid a week before North Carolina’s May 6 primary.

Appearing onstage with Clinton and his wife, Mary, the two-term Democrat declared the New York senator “gets it.”

“It’s time for somebody to be in the White House who understands the challenges we face in this country,” Easley said, adding a gentle dig at rival Barack Obama’s signature slogan of hope.

“There’s been lots of ‘Yes we can, yes we should.’ Hillary Clinton is ready to deliver,” Easley said.

Easley is term-limited and will leave office early next year. Both Democrats vying for the party’s nomination to replace him have endorsed Obama, whom polls show with a substantial lead over Clinton in the state.

Will this have an effect on next Tuesday’s North Carolina primary election?

Probably not. But, Easley is popular with white working class voters.

So far, North Carolina’s highest profile Democrat and former Presidential candidate, John Edwards has remain muted. Will he create a May weekend surprise endorsement later this week?

Perhaps…….