IN-FIGHTING GROWS SHARPER AMONG STATE'S REPUBLICANS

So it's true, is it? that they eat their young?

The N&O reports this a.m. that Republican mullah Coy Privette, past executive director of the Christian Action League and current member of the Cabarrus County Commission, is spending all his time trying to kneecap fellow Republican and candidate for governor in 2008 Bill Graham. The message: Bill Graham ain't no CONSERVATIVE. Privette, who is also a Baptist preacher, launched a new website yesterday, StopBillGraham.com. (It's all about purity, as in "Bill Graham doesn't have any, while Coy Privette DOES.")

You may have seen Graham's mug on your TV set during the past year. First he was yelling about the state's gas tax. Closer to the November election, Graham switched his yelling to illegal immigration. He was still on as of last Sunday, on local Channel 18, during "NC Spin."

According to the N&O, Graham's already spent $1 million on these quixotic TV spots, trying to build a name for himself prior to running for governor. Preacher Privette intends to build a name for him, too.