Read a headline like this one …

Perdue vows stand on same-sex marriage ban

… and you expect an article explaining how Gov. Beverly Perdue plans to stake out a forceful position on a hot-button issue, regardless of the political consequences.

Instead, the News & Observer tells us this:

“I am going to do something later this week,” Perdue told reporters after a speech at the Marbles Big Idea Forum in Raleigh. “I’m working with the constituency groups, as you would expect me to do. I am making a lot of calls. My team is talking. I’ve known all along where I stand. I’ve tried to go back and talk to people about my position, and you will hear it very quickly.”

Translation: “You caught me before the spin doctors and pollsters told me what I should say about this issue.”

Given her recent history with speaking off the cuff, it’s not surprising that the governor wants to wait for the officially approved script.