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People in Politics marks the passing of Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, with a retrospective on her life from reporter Gurnal Scott.

Then host Donna Martinez and North Carolina News Network News Director Rick Martinez discuss Edwards' legacy, the announced funeral protest that was planned by the infamous Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, and the subsequent counterprotests planned by North Carolinians of all political stripes who sought to allow the Edwards family the space to grieve in peace.

Then Sen. Richard Burr comments on Erskine Bowles' deficit commission recommendations, the war in Afghanistan, Congresswoman-Elect Renee Ellmers' new challenge, and Sen. Burr's longtime friend Tom Fetzer, the outgoing chairman of the N.C. GOP.

That's followed by analysis from Jonathan Kappler of the N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation about the influence of outside money on North Carolina's midterm races for the General Assembly and U.S. Congress.

Donna Martinez also updates the latest political news about losing congressional candidate Ilario Pantano, state Democratic Party plans to put a full-time tracker on Renee Ellmers, Gov. Perdue's election to a top job in the Democratic Governors Association, former state Sen. Fred Hobbs' $150,000 fine, the latest return on investment figures for the state pension fund, and more.