As I started down my occasional "where are they now" look at the candidates through the eyes of local media, I did as I've done for several months and started with TPM's "Calendar" page, so that I could more efficiently work my way through my database of links to the nation's newspapers and television stations.

As has been the case more often than not lately, John McCain was only listed as having a single appearance, so I started by trying to find out what he had to say in Charlotte. After not seeing a mention in the big paper, I opted to glance through local television, where I also didn't find him, but I did see the following AP wire story;

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is worried that excitement surrounding the Democratic primary will depress turnout among GOP voters, creating an opening for his rivals in the Republican race for the governor.

That was one of the messages McCrory delivered to about 40 supporters Monday while campaigning at Stanly Community College in Locust.

McCrory's campaign is concerned that independents will choose to vote in the Democratic primary so they can cast a ballot in the race for president. The could for his opponents, especially conservative state Sen. Fred Smith.

McCrory touted his record as mayor of North Carolina's largest city, including successful efforts to build a light rail system and redevelop the city's downtown. He cautioned the crowd that his opponents are trying to spin those accomplishments into negatives in their campaign ads.

I hadn't thought about it before, but in the states with open or semi-open primaries, where Independents have to choose in which primary they're going to vote, it means that the down-ticket Republican candidates are being chosen mostly by the party faithful, which could also mean that they'd be less palatable to Independents in November.

So in addition to any down-ticket benefits, real or imagined which might result from whomever is at the top of the Democratic ticket, the continuing primary race could also be setting the party up for additional wins in the fall.