McCrory at NC Gubernatorial Debate: More TeeVee, Less Education!

Isn’t it enough that voters had to endure one “Law and Order” candidate, Republican Fred Thompson?

Patrick McCrory, NC Republican candidate for Governor, opened up Saturday’s Gubernatioral debate by repeatedly asking why North Carolina can’t be more like the teevee shows, “CSI” and “Law Order.” Lauding teevee shows for providing “DNA test results in minutes,” McCrory complained that North Carolina District Attorneys can’t afford to shop at Neiman Marcus:

"On Law & Order, the District Attorneys dress like they shop at Neiman Marcus."

McCrory, opposes expanding Smart Start, an award winning early education/intervention intiative for children and opposes providing more college tuition assistance.

Patrick McCrory (R-NC): More Teevee, Less Education!

McCrory took several hits on Democrats throughout the debate, jabbing Easely, while not naming him, for not being “accessible” and referring to the Democratic led State Legislature as “corrupt.”

“I’ll be a Governor who is accessible. …And I wont give programs names that rhyme,” jabbing at Smart Smart, an award winning initiative.

The two candidates offered their contrasting positions on a number of issues including the Economy, Education, Healthcare and Iraq, with Perdue placing strong emphasis on education as a means to improve our economy, lower the crime rate and ensure every child in North Carolina has a fair chance.

In early grades, Perdue stated that she disagrees that we should “decide and lock out some kids” as McCrory appeared to indicate should be done with his opposition to expanding early childhood programs and providing College tuition assistance. Perdue has proposed a “College Promise” program:

Through her College Promise initiative, the state of North Carolina will provide an ironclad contract to students that lack of family income will not be a barrier to their earning a college degree or gaining the advanced skills needed for success in the 21st century economy. In exchange, students will have to stay in school and stay out of trouble, graduate from high school and earn the necessary grades to gain acceptance into college, and give back to their community

“Spending millions hasn’t improved our educational system,” McCrory said, seeming to again undermine the importance of education, an issue that Beverly Perdue has championed.

On Iraq, McCrory towed the Republican line, stating that pulling out of Iraq would cause chaos.

Beverly Perdue distinguished her position on Iraq, stating, “We need to end the war in Iraq.”

The debate ended with closing statements from both candidates. McCrory returned to relying on teevee shows as a point of reference, stating:

“Andy Griffith endorsed Mike Easely and Beverly Perdue and it made me think…What would Andy Taylor be saying today?”

WATCH THE ENTIRE DEBATE HERE