Helms, Dole Stump for Faircloth

High ranking leaders including Senator Jesse Helms and former presidential contender Bob Dole arrived with Lauch Faircloth in Rocky Mount Friday to voice their support for the first-term Senator.

With just two weeks until the election, Faircloth is heating up the race with challenger John Edwards. Recent polls show the two in a virtual tie.

"Depends on which poll you want to believe," Faircloth said. "Dead-heat or three-to-four points ahead, it's a close race. Nobody's questioning that we are in a very close race."

The GOP faithful say that Senator Helms and Faircloth make up a conservative powerhouse on Capitol Hill. People at the rally in Rocky Mount came to make sure it stays that way.

"Mr. Faircloth and Mr. Helms are great statesmen," Republican supporter Janice Lande said. "They are well informed on the issues. They have served the public to the best of their ability."

"The race has tightened up and I think that it is very important that they do come down and chat with the people," Republican supporter Thomas Sharpe said. "We're going to win. We're going to win big time."