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GREENSBORO — Local Democratic politicians seem to have taken a rooting interest in "favorite son" John Edwards' run for the presidency.

By contrast, many local Republican office-holders range from unimpressed to unswayed by the crop of candidates currently running for the GOP nomination.

The Iowa caucuses will start the presidential selection process on Thursday, with primaries following this January in New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina and Florida.

North Carolina is not due for its primaries until May, most likely too late in the process to influence the outcome.

Still, local politicians can influence the flow of money and volunteer support for campaigns, and if nothing else, provide a proxy for the campaign that might have been.

"If I had a chance to vote tomorrow, I'd vote for my favorite son, John Edwards," said Guilford County Commissioner Paul Gibson, a Democrat.

Although Gibson and fellow Democratic commissioner Melvin "Skip" Alston have a somewhat testy relationship at times, they share their choice for president.

"John Edwards is a personal friend," Alston said of the former senator from North Carolina.

Edwards, he said, supported the NAACP's agenda when he was a senator and Alston led the group's N.C. State Conference of Branches.

All seven of the state's Democratic congressmen have come forward in support of Edwards, as have several Democratic legislators, including Greensboro Rep. Pricey Harrison.

Other Democrats are reserving judgment. State Rep. Earl Jones and Sen. Katie Dorsett said they hadn't made up their minds which candidate to support, but they broadly praised those in the contest. Jones said he wouldn't publicly back anyone until the George C. Simkins Jr. Political Action Committee, of which he is a member, makes a choice.

Opinions on the Republican side are much more split.

"I've narrowed it down to three, possibly four," said Congressman Howard Coble, a Greensboro Republican.

Some Republicans in North Carolina's federal delegation have made commitments. For example, Sen. Richard Burr has said he backs Sen. John McCain of Arizona, and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has lined up behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

But others, including Sen. Elizabeth Dole, have not publicly chosen sides.

For Coble's part, he says he likes Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

And, Coble said, there's something about Libertarian-turned-Republican Ron Paul that has turned him into a "rock star" in some circles.

"I like a lot that Ron Paul says, but I don't think he stands a realistic chance of gaining the nomination," Coble said, adding "I won't be endorsing anyone imminently."

Sheriff BJ Barnes said he doesn't mind that Republicans both locally and across the nation seem less than unified on a potential nominee.

"I would hate to go into a race that is a foregone conclusion," Barnes said.

He said that the GOP field is a good one and that "there's a little bit of something for everybody," although he does have a favorite.

Barnes said he's supporting former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson.

"He's got knowledge, he's got experience, he's got the ability to work with others. And I know this sounds superficial, but he looks presidential," Barnes said.

Republican County Commissioner Billy Yow is less upbeat about the GOP choices.

"Out of all of them, I haven't seen one of them yet that made me say, 'Yeah, that one right there would be the one,' " Yow said.

None of the Republicans, he said, has come up with a realistic plan on immigration. Although the "secure the borders" message is fine, none is dealing with the reality of the situation.

"If you load them all up and send them away, the whole economy would drop," Yow said. "There isn't any of the candidates that has come up with a solid plan."

And no candidate, he said, is addressing the high cost of fuel.

"There hasn't been one of them to get up there and talk about these high gas prices that small businesses are suffering through," Yow said.

Yow did have one positive note for Huckabee, who he said still needs to firm up his positions.

"I think there's a lot of local support for him," Yow said. "He seems to have morals and he's got a good religious background. There's a lot of folks talking about him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Binker at(919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com