President Obama calls Cal concerning his Senate bid!

Obama calls Carolina Senate recruit

Here’s a clear sign that the White House is picking favorites in the North Carolina Senate primary, where three Democrats are running to challenge Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

President Obama called Iraq war veteran Cal Cunningham this week to chat about the campaign, according to the Raleigh News and Observer's Rob Christensen:

Cunningham received a phone call this week from President Barack Obama, another indication that he is seen in Washington as the Democratic Party's strongest potential challenger to Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr.

Cunningham, a former state senator from Lexington, said he talked with Obama about his Senate campaign, although he said he didn't feel comfortable talking about the details of their conversation, reports Rob Christensen.

"I urged the president to (help) pass health care and move immediately on to a jobs bill that would help put North Carolinians back to work," Cunningham said.

The call from Obama is likely to be seen as bit of political symbolism. Cunningham was recruited into the Senate race by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The committee has promised to use its connections to help open doors to financial donors and has been providing him advice as he seeks to win the May Democratic primary.