Democrats not debating as much

The Republican gubernatorial candidates have debated almost twice as many times as their Democratic counterparts.

Most of the GOP candidates have participated in at least seven debates or forums. (The exception is Pat McCrory, who entered the race late.) Democrats have had four such events. None was broadcast live on major commercial TV.  

Richard Moore has used the discrepancy to criticize Beverly Perdue as a debate dodger, while Senate candidate Jim Neal has made a similar claim against Kay Hagan. No Senate debates have yet taken place.

Perdue has declined debates with at least five TV stations.

"I do not believe that you can run for the highest office in the land and hide from newspaper reporters and television reporters for nine weeks," said Moore. (N&O)