Hopefuls hone their positions

McCrory, Perdue differ in degrees

Here's how Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, the Democratic nominee for governor, and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican candidate, squared off on the issues:

OPENING STATEMENTS: McCrory focused on gangs, mental health care reform and corruption in state politics.

He also joked that his sister, Linda, almost didn't let him into her home because she had seen a TV ad portraying him as "a danger to the middle class."

Perdue talked about improving education, creating jobs and increasing access to health care.

She said she wanted a "new North Carolina" where "families worry less and dream more."

THE ECONOMY: Perdue said the state, among other steps, needs to latch on to the growth around its military bases: "We need to build new economies, aeronautics, the military and a green economy."

McCrory said he wants to "return the word technical to our community colleges," emphasizing vocational and skill training in fields such as health care and electrical work where jobs are waiting.

HEALTH CARE: McCrory criticized mandated coverage in health insurance policies, saying the policies should offer a menu of options so that they aren't too expensive for young people to buy.

Perdue warns that mandates exist to protect the insured, that health insurance should cover a variety of possible tests and procedures, such as mammograms. She highlighted a previous quote by McCrory, who suggested that government provided health care is "sending the wrong signals" by encouraging teenagers to have babies. McCrory said he didn't recall the quote and didn't mean that he wanted to take away health insurance from children.

OIL DRILLING AND GAS PRICES: McCrory wants to start drilling for oil off North Carolina's coast as soon as possible.

Perdue, who previously opposed drilling off the state's coast, said she would appoint a panel of scientists and engineers to see if it's safe. She wants oil companies to drill elsewhere first.

DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM: Perdue said she supports the death penalty but thinks the courts should work through the legal issues before the state tries to reimpose capital punishment. She touted endorsements from law enforcement groups that McCrory dismissed as "quasi-labor unions."

McCrory said the state should lift its moratorium on the death penalty, noting that the man convicted of killing two Charlotte police officers in 1993 is still on death row.

GOV. MIKE EASLEY: McCrory tried to tie Easley around Perdue's neck.

McCrory made a few references to problems in the "current administration and the current leadership" on mental health reform and immigration.

He first mentioned Easley by name about halfway through the debate after a direct question from the moderators about recent criticism of Easley, saying he would be a more open and accessible governor.