The final details have been set for the N.C. Spin gubernatorial debates.

The Democratic debate will be held at WRAL's studio in Raleigh on April 8 and will be aired on Sunday, April 13.

The Republican debate will be held at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst on April 10 and will be aired on Sunday, April 20, and Sunday, April 27.

Pat McCrory was in the sights of his rivals Wednesday.

At an hourlong debate in Durham, state Sen. Fred Smith, Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham and former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr worked to draw distinctions between themselves and the Charlotte mayor, who has led most polls since entering the race six weeks ago.

Smith, who has attempted to paint McCrory as a liberal, portrayed himself as a conservative who would lower taxes, institute mandatory sentencing for sex offenders and improve the state's road system.

Orr drew a stark contrast between his absolute opposition to economic incentives and McCrory's efforts to draw business to Charlotte.

And Graham argued that the problem with Raleigh is too many of the same politicians in office.

For his part, McCrory stressed his experience on issues such as gangs and illegal immigration and noted that he still drives a used car as proof of his integrity at a time when political corruption is in the news. (N&O)

From left, Richard Moore, Bob Orr and Beverly Perdue wait for the NAACP debate to begin. (Ben Niolet) 

Hampton Dellinger is willing to debate.

In an e-mail to reporters, the candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor said he would be willing to work on a series of debates.

Canton Mayor Pat Smathers proposed them earlier today, and Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse has already agreed. State Sen. Walter Dalton has not made any statement yet.

"Pat Smathers and I have appeared numerous times together and I am certainly willing to commit to working with him, Mr. Besse, and Mr. Dalton to coordinate schedules for six debates across the state, including a 'liveblogging' event sponsored by www.BlueNC.com and others," he wrote. 

He also objected to Smathers' criticism of his critique of Dalton's record.

"I hope he will agree with me that a fair and frank discussion of our policy positions and public records must be a meaningful part of the exchanges," he wrote. 

Dan Besse wants to debate.

In an e-mail to reporters, the Winston-Salem City Councilman said he would agree to a series of six debates proposed by Canton Mayor Pat Smathers.

"Six debates in as many cities is fine with me, and I will certainly work with you and our respected opponents to finalize logistics in a way that will bring all of us to the forum," he writes.

Pat Smathers has added his two cents.

In an e-mail to reporters, the Canton mayor said that he did not think the recent spat between Hampton Dellinger and state Sen. Walter Dalton (later joined by Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse) was helpful in the race.

"We can do better!" he writes. "This type of activity is what, in my opinion, has caused many people to become disenchanted with politics and resulted in most North Carolinians opting to register as independents rather than affiliate with either party."

Instead, he proposes six debates in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Greensboro and Greenville to be hosted by a statewide Democratic group. 

In the e-mail, he says he wants to know if the other candidates will also debate. 

* Former Young Democrats leader Jay Ottivore officially announces he's running for the nomination to face U.S. Rep. Howard Coble. (Capital Beat)

* U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole says Gov. Mike Easley's request for more alternatives to a Navy landing field is "bizarre." (New Bern Sun Journal)

* U.S. Rep. Mel Watt says the fact that no one likes a bill cracking down on mortgage lenders "may be the best tribute of all." (AP)

* At debate, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton says John Edwards' attacks are "throwing mud" and "right out of the Republican playbook." (NYT)

Bill Graham has been citing Erskine Bowles on the stump.

At a recent debate in Greensboro, the Salisbury attorney noted that he had heard the University of North Carolina president speak at his swearing-in ceremony. He quoted Bowles saying that the entire system had produced only three physics teachers the previous year.

"We've got to do a better job of that," he said.

Actually, that's underselling it. Bowles said that the UNC system had only produced three physics teachers in the last four years.

The problem is caused in part by the value of a physics degree, explained UNC spokeswoman Joni Worthington. Although many teachers major in education, physics teachers are supposed to major in physics and take education courses on the side.

But, she said, physics majors are in high demand.

"If you graduate with a degree in physics, you can earn so much more in the private sector than you can as a high-school teacher," she said.

Bowles' remarks, after the jump.

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"Beverly, you were a part of tuition increase after tuition increase. There was one that you actually sponsored that increased tuition by 29 percent, and you said that that $1,000 increase was 'party and beer money' for lots of North Carolina students."

— Richard Moore at a Greensboro debate on Nov. 6.

At a Democratic gubernatorial debate Tuesday, state Treasurer Richard Moore said that Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue raised tuition as a state senator.

As part of that argument, he referred to a quote that Perdue gave a reporter during the debate on one increase, saying she referred to a "$1,000 increase" as "party and beer money."

That's not accurate.

In 1993, Perdue proposed raising in-state tuition at N.C. State and UNC-Chapel Hill from $822 a year to $1,064. The $242 hike would have been a 29.4 percent increase.

In a May 7 article by the Associated Press, Perdue said that she had received "a number of calls" about the increase, but "only a few were against it."

"The students have openly admitted that it's beer and party money," she said.

Perdue was referring to the $242 increase, however, not the $1,000 tuition, and she did not propose a "$1,000 increase" in tuition.

Verdict: False

Bob Orr said judges should not play a major role in education.

At a debate in Greensboro Tuesday, the former Supreme Court justice was asked about the ongoing Leandro case, in which Superior Court Judge Howard Manning has monitored several school districts' progress in providing more funding for at-risk students.

Orr said he thinks that the case is providing political cover for inaction.

"The Leandro case, I confess, is going on at a length of time that I have never seen in my 18 years in the judiciary," he said. "I think there's a certain cover developed for the executive and the legislature that have Judge Manning out there, and I don't think that's appropriate."

The proper role of the judiciary, he said, was to step in if there are violations of citizens' rights, and, if necessary, order the legislature or the governor to comply with the state constitution.

"The governor needs to be the person in charge of education," he said.

Related: Mark Binker wonders what Orr thinks are the roles of the state schools superintendent and the state board of education.