Governor candidates square off

Here is a breakdown of Wednesday night's North Carolina gubernatorial debate between Republican Pat McCrory, the Charlotte mayor; Democrat Bev Perdue, the lieutenant governor; and Libertarian Mike Munger, the chairman of Duke University's political science department.

Key differences

OFF-SHORE DRILLING

McCrory was the biggest advocate of off-shore drilling. He called for building refineries in North Carolina and construction of an east-west pipeline to ensure fuel supplies across the state.

Perdue, who once opposed off-shore drilling and now supports it, called it a moot point because Congress has already dropped a longtime moratorium. She focused on what she called "green jobs."

Munger said he supports the search for new reserves as well as new energy sources. He also said he would allow the price of gas to rise, which would decrease demand.

CRIME

Munger said one answer to recidivism is to decriminalize many nonviolent crimes.

McCrory called the criminal justice system "completely broken." He cited his caravan of citizens to Raleigh last year to lobby for more prosecutors and courts. "The governor wouldn't even meet with us," he said, adding that the state legislature passed legislation that was "absolutely meaningless."

Perdue said "the revolving door of justice has to stop."

"I will send a message that there's a new sheriff in town and it's me," she said. "And I will not put up with that nonsense."

Perdue said McCrory vetoed a 2006 budget to put more police on the streets. He did, though he said it was because it also included the first property tax increase in years.

"Her notes are as inaccurate as her commercials," he said.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS

McCrory said he would support vouchers on a "very limited basis," and mainly for special-needs children.

Munger favors income-based vouchers, which he said he'd give the state's 40 poorest counties.

Perdue was the only one to oppose any vouchers. She said McCrory's plan would mean $900 million of state money going to send kids to private schools.

Asked later how she got that figure, she said that's based on paying the per-student cost of the state's public schools to every private-school student.

"She has not read such a plan from me," McCrory said. "She's misleading the people of North Carolina."

Areas of agreement

FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK FOR STATE EMPLOYEES: They all three oppose it.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND EDUCATION POLICY: They all don't like it.

Best quotes

McCrory on the role of the governor: "It's all about a guy who has energy and can sell the state."

Munger, on the lost opportunity to cut taxes when the state was more flush with money: "The first thing I would do is get in a time machine and go back two years and kick myself in the bottom."

Perdue, on pushing a "green" economy: "Green is gold in this state."