Republicans, Democrats Have 1st Gubernatorial Debate

Research Triangle Park — The leading Republican and Democratic candidates for governor debated about the Roanoke Rapids theater, college tuition, taxes and immigration Thursday night in a televised debate that focused on the state's economy.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore argued at the close of the hour-long debate. The Republican candidates – Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and state Sen. Fred Smith – had answered identical questions during their turn on the University of North Carolina television studio stage.

The candidates want to win their May 6 primaries and ultimately succeed Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, who is barred by state law from running this year for a third consecutive term.

The Republican candidates opened the evening with a debate that swirled around economy, managing growth and illegal immigration.

Smith recommended four changes to prevent illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses or voting fraudulently. He also criticized Easley for supporting the community college's policy allowing illegal immigrants to enroll.

They are "picking and choosing which laws they want to enforce," Smith said. "That's not a good example for our people."

Orr remained opposed to targeted tax incentives to bring large companies to the state, as he has since he stepped down from the state Supreme Court in 2004. He said the limited economic development money the state has should be used for work force training and create an environment of innovation.

"We paid hundreds of millions (of dollars) to bring Google to North Carolina for 200 jobs and a server farm," Orr said, referring to an incentives package in Caldwell County. "We want North Carolina to be the place where the next Google starts and grows."

Graham and Smith said such tax breaks can be useful at times if used properly. Earlier, the two candidates have said financial assistance to companies can be helpful if targeted to attract new business.

All three GOP candidates, however, said they subscribed to the philosophy that the best prescription for job growth is lowering tax rates and improving infrastructure. Graham said North Carolina needs to widen its interstates and major road arteries, while Smith said his business background will help the state control spending.

Graham called for greater transparency in state government – even to installing Web cameras in the House and Senate.

"We've got to do a better job and have more responsible government in Raleigh," he said.

Moore and Perdue's testy comments and traded barbs dominated the second half of the evening, as the candidates continued their back-and-forth that started last fall.

Perdue took the offensive; on a question about illegal immigration, she instead criticized Moore's leadership on a state panel that approved $21 million in debt used by Roanoke Rapids to build a music theater for Randy Parton.

Public records show Parton spent public money on alcohol and trips to Las Vegas. City officials have kept him from performing since early December and renamed the venue.

"A lot of us have been watching what's going (on) with Randy Parton's party palace," Perdue said, asking Moore to release more documents on the projects. "We'd like to know the background on it. We'd like to know why the decisions were made."

Moore said everything has been made public and Perdue did not have her facts straight. He criticized the lieutenant governor for failing to support Roanoke Rapids, whose economy was hit hard by textile losses.

"It's just so typical of someone who has led the 'go along, get along' club in Raleigh for 20 years," Moore said of Perdue, who first entered the General Assembly in the mid-1980s. "Research Triangle Park took 30 years to be successful. All of these things take time."

Moore accused Perdue of supporting tuition increases at the Legislature while pushing a "college promise" program that would help students attend college debt-free if they keep good grades, stay out of trouble and perform community service.

"It's not about making more promises. It's about making better decisions," Moore said.

Perdue responded by referring to Moore's campaign donations from investment managers as a sign he was out of touch with average North Carolinians.

"Do you want a candidate from Wall Street, or do you want a candidate from Main Street?" Perdue asked the television audience.

Moore won favor nationally for his efforts at corporate accountability on Wall Street.

In addition to the three GOP contenders, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory appears ready to become a late entry into the race.

McCrory filed the state paperwork needed to raise campaign money for governor, and a leading Republican in Guilford County said McCrory would make an announcement next Tuesday in Jamestown, where he went to high school. McCrory declined comment Thursday on his future.

By not deciding sooner, McCrory may have missed a chance to raise his profile outside the Charlotte television market – for free – and let his potential challengers make positive impressions first before the May 6 primary.

UNC-TV did not invite announced Democratic candidate Dennis Nielsen and Libertarian candidate Mike Munger to participate in the debate.

The channel has planned two more televised forums, on health care Feb. 7 and on education April 24.

WRAL-TV will air a debate among the Republican candidates on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. A Democratic debate scheduled for Jan. 24. was canceled after Perdue declined WRAL's invitation.

Earlier Thursday, Moore campaign manager Jay Reiff complained that Perdue failed to agree to WRAL-TV's debate and cable's News 14 Carolina debates in March or April. Perdue spokesman David Kochman said the lieutenant governor could not fit the WRAL offer into her schedule or commit to News 14.