Perdue Still Refusing to Match McCrory Debates

Pat McCrory, has committed to 10 debates including three with a statewide audience.

June 17, 2008

NC ELECTION NEWS -- Beverly Perdue is still refusing to join Pat McCrory in a series of joint issue forums across North Carolina. Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue has only agreed to just three regional debates and two regional forums. Meanwhile, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Pat McCrory, has committed to 10 debates including three with a statewide audience. Pat McCrory has agreed to participate in the following debates:

• June 21 North Carolina Bar Association, Atlantic Beach
• July 18 North Carolina Press Association Candidate Forum, Asheville
• July 20 North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, Asheville
• August 19 WTVD, Durham September 9 Capital Broadcasting/WRAL, Raleigh
• September 19 Public School Forum/Education: Everybody's Business Coalition, Cary
• September 24 UNC-TV, Research Triangle Park
• October 8 UNC-TV, Research Triangle Park
• October 15 WSOC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg League of Women Voters, WTVI, Charlotte
• TBA Queens University, Charlotte Chamber, WBT

McCrory Campaign Manager Richard Hudson, released the following statement on the issue:

"All too often, Raleigh politicians like Lt. Gov. Perdue think they're above being responsive and accountable to the folks they've been entrusted to represent. She continues to reject all statewide debates and clearly feels no need to make her positions known to the very people she hopes will choose her as their next governor.

"Beverly Perdue was able to find time to attend a PAC reception for a special interest group of trial lawyers. Obviously, raising money with liberal special interests is a higher priority for the lieutenant governor than participating in two UNC-TV debates that would reach voters statewide on public television. If elected governor, Pat McCrory will represent all of North Carolina, not just special interest fringe groups."

It is not surprising that Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue is still refusing to expose herself to the general public in a subjective atmosphere. History always repeats itself, and it is no different here in this gubernatorial race. Visibly, from Beverly Perdue's past history as Lieutenant Governor, she opines the "have a need to know" point of view in regards to the North Carolina general public. See Article: In 2007, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Purdue only released 21 press releases.