Perdue, McCrory get set for Nov.

Democrat plans to focus on middle-class appeal, Republican wants to stop division, in race to become governor

Not even 12 hours had passed after their gubernatorial primary victories before Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Republican Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte started the long race to the November election.

The candidates called separate news conferences and talked about why each expects to be North Carolina's next governor. A look at what they -- and others -- had to say, and some factors that may determine the outcome in November:

CLASS DIFFERENCES

- 'This race is going to be decided by which candidate is the best for the middle class of North Carolina,' Perdue said.

- 'I think we've got to stop this division, this dividing people whether the east, the Piedmont or the west or the middle class, poor or wealthy,' McCrory said. 'My message is going to appeal to everyone, not to any particular socioeconomic class, and I'm proud of that.'

MAKING HISTORY?

Perdue, the state's first female lieutenant governor, is seeking to make history as the state's first female governor. McCrory, a newcomer to state politics who entered the race late, has history against him. Four recent Charlotte mayors failed in their bids for statewide office.

FRIENDS LIKE THESE

- Perdue was joined by Gov. Mike Easley, a two-term Democratic governor who cannot seek a third consecutive term.

Easley: Perdue's 'career didn't start last night. Her commitment to the kids of this state started a long time ago.'

- McCrory was joined by two of his three chief opponents in the GOP primary -- state Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton and former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr.

Smith: 'To the good people of this state who I have met. ... Thank you for what you've done for our campaign. We need to turn that time and attention and effort for Pat McCrory to make sure he's the next governor of this state.'

THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE

At the Democratic event, no one mentioned Treasurer Richard Moore, who lost a bitterly fought primary to Perdue. Bill Graham, a Salisbury lawyer who sought the Republican nomination, did not attend McCrory's event. But McCrory was careful to complement Graham and tell the audience that Graham was tied up with a case.

ECONOMY AS TOP ISSUE

The issues stressed by the candidates mesh with what's on voters minds, according to a recent poll commissioned by The News & Observer and other news outlets. The poll found that 31 percent of North Carolina voters thought the economy was the key issue facing the state.

Perdue talked about education as the key to economic opportunity. McCrory talked about cutting taxes.

THE BUZZWORDS

KITCHEN TABLE: adjective. Besides place to eat, a shorthand term Perdue uses often to describe her campaign's focus. 'Kitchen-table issues' include education, health-care and bio-technology jobs. 'I understand those kitchen-table issues like no other person to run for this office,' she said.

ACCESSIBILITY: noun. Approachability or availability. An example of what McCrory says state government needs. He made a point of taking questions under a shade tree outside the state Capitol. 'Welcome to accessibility here in Raleigh,' McCrory told reporters.