Here’s some of what they said, from the Charotte Observer:
ASHEVILLE North Carolina’s two main gubernatorial candidates today pledged more transparency in government, but split over their solutions to high gas prices and their willingness to debate.
Republican Pat McCrory and Democrat Bev Perdue made their comments during separate appearances before editors and publishers of the N.C. Press Association.
“I have a record of being extremely open and transparent,” McCrory said.
Perdue promised that under her, North Carolina “would be known as the state with open, accessible government.”
McCrory took the occasion to unveil his energy initiative, a combination of conservation measures, new oil drilling and a push for alternative energy sources including coal and nuclear.
He proposed a statewide transportation plan that would extend land-use planning and some form of mass transit to communities throughout the state. He also called for the state to build more “green” buildings and offered tax incentives for individuals and corporations to build the same kind.
But he also repeated his support for off-shore oil drilling, which he said would create jobs and pour money back into North Carolina for coastal conservation programs.
Perdue said drilling would never occur “on my watch.”
“That’s politically popular,” she said. “If you want somebody who looks at a poll and gets solutions, that’s not me.”
McCrory also chided his opponent for not agreeing to more debates. He had accepted an offer to debate before the state association of broadcasters Sunday but the Perdue campaign did not.
Perdue said she’s already agreed to several debates. As for McCrory’s challenge, she said, “I think that is really just whining.”