Rep. gubernatorial candidates debate
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HIGH POINT, N.C. -- The Republican candidates for the state's top job met at High Point University on Saturday to debate their qualifications for governor. Each is vying to be the Republican candidate to end the long-time Democratic leadership in North Carolina’s governor's mansion.
The candidates didn't waste any time getting down to the real issues they say voters care about. “The bottom line is we have to start putting in place dramatic reform for the next 20-25 years, if we are going to have a competitive society, economically in this global economy that we are living in today,” said candidate Bob Orr.
They say reform is necessary, especially when one-third of high school students aren't graduating. “When we're losing one-third of our customers, we don't need to continue to do the same thing,” said candidate Fred Smith. “We need to stop back and get a new strategic plan and the first thing we need to do in that new strategic plan is understand that the student is the customer.”
From left to right, Rep. candidates Bob Orr, Bill Graham and Fred Smith.
“Each child that doesn't finish high school, The Heritage Foundation reports costs the family $20,000. So every child across North Carolina multiplied by $20,000 every time we don't finish high school adds up to a lot of money that it costs you, the taxpayer,” candidate Bill Graham said.
And when it comes to taxes -- each of these G.O.P. candidates says big government and Democratic rule have to go. “People want to start at taxes but taxes are not where you start,” Smith said, “Taxes is nothing more than the cash register at the end of the buffet line. Where you got to start is the buffet line and your buffet line is government spending.”
“We have to fundamentally reform our tax system. Everyone acknowledges that we are living with an antiquated tax system, based upon a manufacturing and agricultural economy of 60 years ago,” Orr said.
“What I would do to balance the budget and cut taxes is trim government fat,” Graham pointed out, “You could walk into a lot of the departments today and trim 10 percent off of each and everyone of them and you wouldn't know the difference.”
While the three Republican candidates didn't differ too much on the issues, each thinks that he will be the one to end the 16 year streak of Democratic governors. But in the end, that will be leftt up to the voters.