Raleigh

Gov. Beverly Perdue's approval rating remains mired in the low 30s.

She is managing agency finances in a state that is pretty much broke. She faces a new Repub-lican-controlled legislature that will surely oppose a big chunk of her ideas over the next two years.

Things are finally looking up for Perdue.

Conventional wisdom may say otherwise, but one of the best things that could happen to a Democratic governor with poor poll ratings is to see her party lose control of the legislature. Now, Perdue has a counterbalance with true political power against which to compare and contrast herself.

Perdue walked into the lions' den at the legislature ostensibly to discuss the state's budget woes and her plans to streamline state government. And she did, before veering off into telling legislators about how they could better run their ship.

Perdue threw out three proposals for legislative reform: the creation of an independent redistricting commission to lessen the politics of legislative and congressional map drawing, limits on the lengths of legislative sessions, and the opening up more legislative records for public review.

Republicans will control the legislature come January. And Perdue is freed to become a part-time rock thrower, hurling some nice chunks of granite the way of the Republican majority.

But last week was just the first round. The niceties will ultimately end.

When Republicans make a few missteps or anger some constituency, Perdue will be there to point out how she would do things differently.

Now, she's got someone, or more accurately, something - a Republican legislature - to run against.

Scott Mooneyham writes for Capitol Press Association in Raleigh. Contact him at smooneyh@ncinsider.com.