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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — The two leading Democrats for governor delivered rhetorical jabs during a debate broadcast live on public television Thursday night. Meanwhile, the three Republicans showcased various versions of their "get tough" stance on immigration.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue opened fire in the Democratic segment of the debate, going off-topic from a question about immigration to challenge Treasurer Richard Moore on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre deal.

In recent weeks, Randy Parton, the brother of country star Dolly Parton, and the city have parted ways over the deal. As details of the deal emerged, some have questioned whether the $21 million invested was done so wisely.

Perdue said she wanted to "ask the treasurer to soon release the feasibility study." Her campaign has criticized Moore, who overseas the Local Government Commission that signed off on the deal, for not scrutinizing the deal more closely and not releasing documents in its aftermath.

The format of Tuesday's forum did not allow Moore to respond immediately, but he did eventually issue a rebuttal.

"It's just so typical of someone who has lived in the 'go along to get along' club in Raleigh, to go after a project in Roanoke Rapids," Moore said, pointing out that struggling communities had been asked by the state to find ways to spur economic development.

Moore also said he had released the requested material.

"Beverly, you don't have your facts straight," Moore said.

On many of the economic issues they were asked about, the two Democrats found themselves in agreement. For example, both called the state's immigration problems a "complete and total failure by Washington," to use Moore's words.

Moore did attack Perdue on her proposal to help poor students afford tuition to public universities.

"It's just so typical of what's wrong with Raleigh," Moore said. "In 20 years of running government in Raleigh, you never met a tuition increase you didn't like."

Now the government is being forced to help students with tuition because costs had gotten so high, Moore said.

Perdue responded that she knew how to build a budget from serving in the state Senate and then as lieutenant governor.

"Richard's college promise comment is just way off base. I'll send him the material," Perdue said.

She then referenced Moore's ties to Wall Street. As treasurer, he oversees the state's pension fund and has received campaign contributions from investment firms.

"Do you want a candidate who is from Wall Street or a candidate who is from Main Street?" Perdue asked, echoing a line that was used recently on the campaign trail.

Moore had an answer:

"I'd like to point out that I'm not from Wall Street. I'm actually from North Carolina, not Virginia," Moore said. Perdue grew up in Virginia.

On the Republican side of the debate, the three declared contenders rehashed campaign pitches they had made during earlier forums and in stump speeches.

On immigration, each cited the need to uphold "the rule of law," an implicit criticism of Gov. Mike Easley's statements that illegal immigrants should be allowed to enroll in community colleges.

"We've got a governor and a president of the community college system that's picking and choosing which laws they want to enforce," said Sen. Fred Smith.

Bill Graham, a Salisbury attorney, said immigrants who break laws need to be deported.

"We need to clean up this problem and do it as quickly as possible," Graham said.

Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr sounded the most conciliatory note. While echoing the need for enforcement, he cautioned that there were economic realities at play.

"The reality is that many of our larger farmers ... are using illegal immigrants in their work force," Orr said. He said the state needed to improve programs that helped immigrants come to the state legally.

Not at the debate was Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, a Republican who has filed the paperwork needed to raise money for a gubernatorial run but has not officially declared his candidacy.

He would be welcomed to the race, the competitors said after the debate, but would have ground to make up against those who have been on the campaign trail.

"He's got some ground to make up in terms of meeting the citizens and the voters," Orr said.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com

What They Said

Democrats
"We can't have growth the same old way. So we, you and me out there in your household, need to be better users and better conservationists. We need to build a green economy around that growth."
— Lt. Gov. Bev. Perdue, on how to handle an expected population boom as the state faces a drought.

"I don't think it's an accident that the counties that have the highest unemployment rate have the highest (high school) dropout rate."
— Treasurer Richard Moore, on why improving schools is a key to improving the state's economy.

Republicans
"The best economic incentive we have in this state is to make sure we have an educated work force and reduce our school dropout rate."
— Sen. Fred Smith, explaining that he thought the use of economic development incentives should be limited.

"We've paid hundreds of millions (of dollars) to bring Google to North Carolina for 200 jobs and a server farm. We want North Carolina to be the place that the next Google comes from."
— Former Justice Bob Orr, criticizing the state's economic incentives policy.

"We have the highest taxes in the Southeast, and that's burdening an economy that's in transition."
— Lawyer Bill Graham