RALEIGH, N.C. – What’s a ticket to next week’s Duke-North Carolina game worth? How about a seat in the North Carolina Senate?

That’s what Sen. Eddie Goodall is offering on eBay in exchange for two tickets to the Tobacco Road rivalry game.

The Union County Republican said Friday he was inspired by the impeachment of ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY’-uh-vich), but insists with a laugh that he’s no crook.

His ad only offers the actual seat on which he sits, and not a chance to take over his elected office. He paid $788 for the black leather swivel chair three years ago.

Goodall had received no bids by Friday afternoon, which is just as well, since he says it’s all meant to be a joke.

WASHINGTON – After receiving almost 1,000 requests since Election Day for tickets to the Presidential Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) Friday asked the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to provide additional opportunities for North Carolinians to participate in the ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

“Throughout the 2008 presidential campaign, more Americans were involved in and excited by our political process than ever before.  Since the historic election of Senator Barack Obama on Nov. 4, 2008 North Carolinians from the Second Congressional District have shown an overwhelming and unprecedented interest in attending the 56th Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony on Jan. 20, 2009,” Etheridge said in a press release.

Members of Congress are each given a limited number of free tickets to distribute.  

In a press release, Etheridge said he sent a letter to the committee Friday asking it to provide additional accommodations to view the swearing-in ceremony for those who cannot attend. 

It has been suggested that the committee to put technology such as speakers and video screens on the National Mall so that those without tickets can watch the ceremony from there. 

Residents of North Carolina’s Second Congressional District who would like to request tickets to the official ceremony should visit Etheridge’s Web site, www.house.gov/etheridge.

People from across the country are now trying to figure out how they can take part in the historic swearing in of President-elect Barack Obama. Tickets to the event are in extremely high demand.

On Jan. 20, 2009, President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office. The week’s events will begin on Jan. 15 and end on the evening of Jan. 20.

Attendees must first contact their local representatives and ask to be added to a list of people seeking tickets.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s office in Clemons has already received more than 300 calls, while Brad Miller’s office has received more than 175 calls. According to Congressman Bob Etheridge’s spokesperson, their Raleigh office phones are ringing off the hook.

Find Your Congressperson

VIP access tickets were selling on eBay Friday for $5,500. Meanwhile, as the wait-list for tickets grows, the hotel rooms are disappearing. Some reports indicate the nearest hotels that have vacancy are in Richmond or Charlottesville, Va.

According to Pam Kohl at Congressman Miller’s office, she has never seen the energy, the interest and the volume of calls like what they are seeing for this Inauguration.

It is not yet known how many tickets each Congressperson will receive.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor and Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin is returning to North Carolina Saturday.
Palin will appear at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Doors open at 4 p.m. and guests must arrive by 6 p.m. for admission.

Tickets are available at the following distribution centers:

Raleigh Victory Office
1506 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 828-6423

Durham Victory Office
4600 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 539-5928

North Raleigh Victory Office
900 Spring Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 862-6528

CONCORD, N.C. — Senator John McCain will be in North Carolina Saturday for a victory rally. 
 
The event will take place at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49 in Concord. Doors Open at 8 a.m. and people must arrive by 10 a.m.

Tickets are available at the locations listed below. Tickets are limited to four per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A ticket does not guarantee entry to the event. Entry will also be on a first-come, first-serve basis to those carrying tickets, so please be sure to arrive early! For security reasons, bags and signs are prohibited inside the venue.

Ticket Distribution Centers:

Asheville Victory Office
16 Regent Park Blvd, Suite I
Asheville, NC 28806
(919) 866-2130

Boone Victory Office
149 Meadowview Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(573) 647-1616

Charlotte Victory Office
1515 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 218
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 910-0696

Concord Victory Office
50 Concord Commons Parkway
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 795-1709

Cornelius Victory Office
8301-17 Magnolia State Drive
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 987-4301

Fayetteville Victory Office
201 S. McPherson Church Road, Suite 204
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 864-6584

Gastonia Victory Office
224 South New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28055
(704) 868-3330

Harrisburg Victory Office
4351 Main Street
Harrisburg, NC 28075
(704) 454-5661

Hickory Victory Office
1899 Tate Blvd. SE, Suite 1105
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-1639

Salisbury Victory Office
100 West Innes Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
(919) 827-5949

Stanly Pickup Location 1
West North Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 986-2242

Stanly Pickup Location 2
1618 W Main Street
Locust, NC 28097
(704) 888-6800

Union Victory Office
100 E. Myers Street
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 225-9454