Moore: More debates, please

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:38:52 -0500

Richard Moore wants three more debates before Election Day.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate and his rival, Beverly Perdue, have faced off in a debate before the N.C. School Boards Association and twice on UNC-TV.

But he says that the UNC-TV forums are not "real debates" because they don't include rebuttals.

"It's not a real debate if there is no give and take between the candidates," he said in a statement. "We are running to be the CEO of the tenth largest state and manage a $20 billion budget. Voters deserve to hear directly from the candidates in a format that forces them to go beyond scripted talking points."

According to the Moore campaign, Perdue has turned down debates on North Carolina News 14, WRAL and WTVD in Raleigh, WITN in Greenville and WWAY in Wilmington.

The only scheduled debate is a third UNC-TV forum on education on April 24.