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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK— Before one of them can "declare war" on chronic diseases, State Treasurer Richard Moore and Lt. Governor Bev Perdue continued their bitter political battle in a debate on UNC-TV Thursday night.

Much of the substance the two Democrats talked about had been released as part of health care plans they issued over the past month. Both pitched ideas to cover more uninsured children with state health plans, and both talked about the need to help residents live healthier lives.

"You're looking at one of the first elected officials that ever took on tobacco in the schools in North Carolina," Perdue said, playing up her role as chairwoman of the state's health and wellness trust fund.

As a result of the trust fund's publicity campaign and efforts to urge schools to go completely tobacco free, the teen smoking rate in North Carolina has dropped, she said. But Moore shot back that the trust fund had not always spent its money well and questioned its record on tobacco use prevention.

"It's kind of hard to say that we've made any substantive improvement," Moore said. "In fact, the studies don't bear that out."

After the debate, the Moore campaign sent out an American Lung Association report card that failed North Carolina on three key anti-smoking indicators and gave the state a "C" on its "Youth Access" measure.

Perdue struck back a couple of times. In one unanswered swipe, she claimed that during a run for Congress, Moore took positions that he would have been willing to cut benefits in Social Security and Medicare.

She also used her closing comments to strike at Moore, who has emphasized the good service he provides the 750,000 employees enrolled in the state pension plan.

"A lot of those 750,000 are suing you because you won't release those documents," Perdue said. She was referring to a lawsuit by the State Employees Association of North Carolina.

Moore attempted to interject before the end of the broadcast, saying, "That's not true," as Perdue continued her closing and smiled at the camera.

Outside the debate, Moore was asked about the comment. He responded by asking why Perdue would not assent to one-on-one debate where the two candidates ask each other the questions.

"One of the candidates is standing here answering your questions and the other one took off," Moore said.

Perdue did return to talk to reporters after Moore left. When asked about the question, Perdue said that her opponent has played up his role managing the trust fund and his "accountable" management style.

"You can't talk about making people happy ... if you're being sued by those people," Perdue said.

Moore did raise one new point during the debate. He pointed to the new high-risk insurance pool the legislature created last year. That pool, he said, would take responsibility for the costs associated with the sickest residents.

"We need a strong chief executive to police the insurance industry," Moore said.

The state already has an insurance commissioner who is separately elected and whose job is to police the insurance industry.

"I would work with (Insurance Commissioner) Jim Long to keep tabs on the insurance companies," Moore said. Insurance rates should drop, he said, since the sickest residents have been taken off the rolls.

The four Republicans running for governor debated later Thursday evening. They include former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, state Sen. Fred Smith, Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

Their debate was similar, in that it focuses largely on previously floated proposals.

However, it lacked the sharp edge and included a few moments of self-deprecating humor.

When Smith was asked about how he would lead by example to make the state healthier, he acknowledged his campaign included a 100-county tour where he served barbecue at each stop.

"When I go on my 100 county barbecue tour I don't eat any hush puppies or potatoes," Smith said.

One contentious moment came when the candidates were discussing mental health reform in North Carolina that puts some responsibility on private businesses.

"I think there have been some good trends in that area during the past two or three years, including in Mecklenburg County," McCrory said.

That prompted Orr to take issue.

"Mental health reform may have worked in Charlotte but I can assure you that it has not worked around North Carolina. Mental health reform has been an absolute disaster in this state."

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