Welcome Lt. Governor Bev Perdue and thank you for participating in the BlueNC Gubernatorial Debate.
Bev Perdue and Richard Moore will face off in the NC primary election on May 6, 2008. Tonight is your chance to ask Bev Perdue the questions that will help you decide how you will vote in May. Please follow below the fold to view the debate, leave questions and respond to Bev Perdue's answers to your questions.
Comments
Technology and transparency
Thank you again for joining us. The debate officially begins at 7:45. In the next few minutes, please take your time and think through our first question:
To our readers:
We'll be posting some "big" questions like these every 15 minutes ... and we encourage you to follow up with your own questions as well.
Google Accountability
Thanks James,
As you can see from what we are doing tonight, technology can change the way we do politics and government in North Carolina. It can be a tool not just for information but for interaction.
As one example, just a few weeks ago, I announced my NC OpenBook plan, to create “Google Accountability.” We’ll put all state contracts and grants on the web for all to see, in plain-English. All contracts and grants more than $10,000 would be required to be posted on this site. You can read more about it in the Building a New North Carolina section on my website.
I like that
I just wish we could get the Google machine behind those closed doors in the Senate chamber, so to speak.
budget process
I agree, we need to bring more transparency to the budget process including televising the legislative session and bringing more of committee rooms on-line.
Thanks.
It's hard to keep up with everything when you're just a citizen out here on the Internets.
There are also many steps we
There are also many steps we can take in addition to technology. I have proposed a "BRAC Budget Reform" to force the legislature to vote on major budget reform proposals offered by a panel of citizens, with an up or down vote -- no tinkering -- similar to the process the federal government used in its military realignment process.
Of course, we must also pass serious campaign finance reform like the endowment for gubernatorial elections that that I am supporting, originally proposed by Sen. Gulley several years ago and also proposed nationally by Al Gore and Russ Feingold.
For more info click below
BRAC Budget Reform
Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns
Justin
Bev Perdue Campaign
Tech follow-up
What about streaming video and/or audio for ALL committee meetings?
yes
yes
This isn't one of my "pet issues", but I'm wondering...
How could you bring more transparency to who is funding candidates/groups in North Carolina? I know the downloadable files with candidate receipts/expenditures are a pain to comb through, AND, they come fairly infrequently.
Beyond pure public financing, any thoughts? Or, should I just have quit after "pure public financing"?
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Positive Campaigns
First, I want to say I'm sorry for taking slow long to get back to the blog. Since Monday night I have been on the road. I've been to Rocky Mount, Enfield, Tarboro, Morganton, Hickory, Asheville, Fletcher, New Bern, Jacksonville, Surf City, Hatteras, Washington, Chocowinity, and Wilmington.
Robert, have you taken a look at my proposal for an Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns? It would certainly benefit transparency. I would also support any efforts to make campaign finance reports easier to read online. It fits well with what seems to be a theme to last week's debate: technology can change the way we do business in politics and state government.
If state campaign finance reports were easier to find/read
it would be reassuring. Not many people access them, but it's reassuring for many voters to know that if they want the information it's easier to find and read.
This is a real winner with me, but I really like digging through campaign finance reports.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
I like that idea a lot
We'll provide links to the sections of your web site after the debate so that those looking at the answers later will have easier access.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
And campaign staffs should feel free to do the same
nc openbook link
NC Openbook
Justin
Bev Perdue Campaign
Comment deleted
I'm allowing your blog post to stand, but I am deleting your comment on the Lieutenant Governor's debate thread. Contact me directly if you need an explanation.
"hubris"
Are you aware that
1. the phrase "being a megalomaniac" is assumed to modify the pronoun immediately following it; and
2. you misspelled "hubris," though, having declared yourself a megalomaniac, you might not think it matters
and
3. by giving Perdue credit for having the maneuvering skills to bring the lottery into being, you're actually giving her points for leadership that lottery fans might appreciate?
I'm not a lottery fan, and I'm not a Perdue fan, but will confess to an instinctual prejudice against people who post attacks within 37 minutes of registering on a blog.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Republican English Teacher
Thanks for the grammar and spelling lesson Einstein. Some people probably understood my meaning through the concept of context, but if you consider underhanded political tactics "maneuvering skills," it is no big surprise that you chose to focus on spellng and grammar and NOT the underlying issues. That tactic seems more in tune with the Republican party.
And if you approve of Beverly's political tactics, your instinctual prejudice towards me for speaking my mind and bringing issues that I consider vital to the table is feebly inconsequential.
Although it is not be true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative. John Stewart Mill
Who?
Who are you supporting, Dr. Bonner?
Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us
My support
I plan to support the candidate that shows the most integrity in their actions. At this point, that would most definitely NOT be Beverly Purdue.
Who are you supporting?
Grammar
I hope you appreciate that I included a blatant grammar error for you on my last post ;-)
I'm just enjoying being accused of being a conservative
And ya did react rather strongly -- which was also fun.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Deleted comment
I would love to hear a valid explanation if you feel that you have one to offer
unc admissions
Approximately 600 nc residents were denied admission to Unc-CH so that approximately 18% of the enrollees could be from out of state. Is this sound policy and if not, what would you do to change it?
Thanks.
FYI, we'll have a block of questions about education in about a half hour.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS
First, recognize that the UNC system attempts to find space for all qualified students on one of the university campuses.
UNC - Chapel Hill which ranks among the top public universities in the country needs to be selective and have a diverse student body of national standing.
How does this benefit the citizens of North Carolina?
Well, one answer I can give. As a native North Carolinian, I have always been appreciative that I could go to one of the three top graduate schools in my field right in my home state. Without a national student body, UNC could not have achieved this status.
This was 50 years ago. I have now taught 41 years in the UNC system [not at Chapel Hill], and have taught thousands of North Carolinians. I hope I have made some contribution to the state and its citizens for the benefit of an outstanding university education.
I bet
I bet that a ton of those out of state students become North Carolina citizens.
It seems like UNC, NC State and the 14 other public schools serve as a recruitment tool for bringing people to North Carolina.
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
Out of stater that stayed
I was an out-of-state student at UNC Law. I saw one study that indicated that more out-of-state students stayed in north carolina after graduation than in-state students.
18% is reasonable
Bev has been on the road all day today, but she wanted me to post a few answers for her. She will try and answer more tomorrow.
Bev thinks that the 18% cap on out-of-state students is reasonable. It allows UNC-CH to have a diverse student population, while at the same time giving many North Carolina high school graduates a chance to attend a world-class university.
Justin
Bev Perdue Campaign
Thanks, Justin
I'm hoping campaign staffs will feel free to stop in and engage as much as they have time for. We know you're all on the same page and that staff members can essentially "speak" for candidates . . . so please keep coming back.
Welcome, Bev Perdue
The debate is officially on!
It's great to be here!
Hi, it’s really exciting to be on the first online debate in North Carolina history. Welcome to the 21st century. Thanks for inviting us and I am ready to take your questions.
Thank you, Bev Perdue
We appreciate your participation and look forward to your responses.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Thank you for being here
It says a lot about our two candidates that they will be willing to come take questions from the voters in this forum.
More Money for State Employees
Look at Cost Of Gas alone today,,then Look back at just How Little State Employees have got in last 5 years
Welcome
I'm going to stick with the questions that James will be posting. I look forward to reading your responses.
One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
My question from upthread
Just in case you missed it:
The NC School Systems Need HELP!
I live in Wilson County and the school system here is in bad shape. Why is there no accountability from the State on the Local Board of Education? What would you do Perdue and Moore to fix this?
Death Penalty
I would like to know if you are going to seriously consider repealing the Death Penalty in North Carolina by personally reviewing every Death Row case ?
death penalty
I support capital punishment as an option, but I also favor the current moratorium now in place while constitutional issues are being studied.
I certainly would review every death penalty case. It is one of the gravest responsibilities entrusted to a governor. I am also a big supporter of the North Carolina Actual Innocence Commission. We must do EVERYTHING in our power not to execute an innocent person. To see the danger we only need to look as far as the recent news about Glen Edward Chapman.
OK, I put this question to every death penalty advocate:
Since mistakes are INEVITABLE (and in some cases, the "mistakes" are willful), how many innocent people is it permissible to kill in order to have a death penalty?
And please, "NONE" is not an answer if you favor having the death penalty on the books. If you are going to have executions, innocent people WILL (and have) die(d) at some point.
Unless you are willing to answer with a number, you have NO business supporting the death penalty.
I await your answer.
Liberalism as a badge of honor!
No apologies, no excuses.
Liberalism as a badge of honor!
No apologies, no excuses.
Environment and economy
Green Economy
North Carolina is uniquely positioned to become a leader in a green economy, something I've been working toward. Last session we created the Green Business Fund to provide incentives for clean tech and alternative energy companies. That's an important first step toward creating the kind of green economy you're talking about.
Green Economy
This is Zach Ambrose, Bev's campaign manager. There is more about the Green Business Fund in her energy plan.
Thanks for the link, Zach
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic! The ass you save may be your own.
Workers Compensation
I was wondering if you had any thoughts you would like to share on the Workers Compensation system here in North Carolina. Many small business owners are feeling the pinch. Employers rarely, if ever, win favorable decisions at the Industrial Commission, and its getting harder to get people back to work. Couple that with medical inflation and we may have a serious problem.
Good, better, best
Good..Better...Best
WebPolitick-A millenial's perspective on North Carolina politics and the 2008 Presidential election...
negative campaigning
There is almost a turn-off to the Democratic gubernatorial campaign by negativism on candidate web sites and advertising. Ms. Perdue, I am not partisan to Mr. Moore, but your campaign strikes me as too quick to launch negative attacks. Can the two candidates reach an accord to take a more positive approach?
negative campaigning
I agree that there is too much negative campaigning, but would like to point out that the record shows that Richard Moore's campaign launched the first negative ad in this campaign. But for tonight, I think we should focus on the issues.
negative campaigning
And I would be pleased if the candidates would stick to the issues tomorrow night as well.
Pages