AAUW-Brevard Voter Guide Questionnaire

Welcome to the Voter Guide
NC Governor
Primary, 2008
Information provided by Candidates to AAUW
Brevard, NC Branch

Duties: Governor - Chair Council of State; serve as commander-in-chief of NC National Guard, director of budget, and official NC spokesperson; establish program of action and legislation; appoint agency directors .

Candidates - Click party name below to go to candidates affiliated with the party, or scroll down to see all candidates, in alphabetical order by party, then last name. NR, indicating No Response to a particular question, will appear until a response is received.

Democrat: Richard M. Moore
www.richardmoore.org

Dennis Nielson www.votenielsen.com

Bev Perdue www.bevperdue.com

Libertarian: Michael Munger
munger4ncgov.com/

Republican: Bill Graham

Pat McCrory
www.patmccrory.com

Robert F. (Bob) Orr www.orr2008.com

E. Powers www.elpowers.com

Fred Smith 2008.joinfred.com/web/

Democratic Candidates

QUALIFICATIONS

1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?

Moore (D) Nielson (D) Perdue (D)

I have more executive branch experience than any other candidate. In the Hunt administration I led the response to numerous federally declared natural disasters, including hurricanes Fran and Floyd. As State Treasurer, I oversee the state’s $80 billion retirement system, ranked second in the nation for three straight years. This money belongs to more than 800,000 hard-working public servants.

I believe the qualities of trust, integrity, and leadership are most important for any public official. I will surround myself with great people who will serve with the best interests of the public in mind. Many current agency heads, that have wasted public funds or been to political will be asked to resign,
Finally Balance-jail, Pheps-jail, Black -jail: I don't have any experience like that.

With experience as a public school teacher, health care administrator, legislator and Lt. Governor, I believe I am the candidate best prepared to bring hope and opportunity to our entire state, from the mountains to the coast. I’m laying out specific plans and ideas to build a new North Carolina that works for all of us, and am ready for the challenges ahead.

PRIORITIES FOR LEADERSHIP The North Carolina Progress Board publishes an annual report which “scores” North Carolina’s progress in meeting long term prosperity goals for the state. In 2007 the Board identified and scored the state’s progress in areas of health, poverty, housing, education, worker education and wages, environment, economy, infrastructure and accountable government. All of these areas are affected in great part by the governor’s leadership in public policy and legislation. 2. Of these areas, which would be the top priorities of the Governor's office and how would you address them?
Moore (D)	Nielson (D)	Perdue (D)
My top education priorities will be to cut the high school dropout rate in half by teaching real job skills and holding our schools accountable, and to help communities save money on school construction. We will make sure every single child in our state has health insurance, and help families save on premiums. And we will reform transportation to take politics and insider deals out of the process.	Education: more choice for parents and students, Property rights: stopping forced annexation, Eliminating property taxes for low income seniors; Gov't Accountablity; managers will answer to and be held accountable for their actions. Child and spousal abuse; we must help all and enforce laws. Health care; emphasis on mental health issues and availability for all. Enforce immigration laws.	My vision for education is endorsed by NC’s teachers and educators, and the head of NC's Health Access Coalition called my roadmap for expanding health coverage "the most significant changes in health care access in North Carolina in quite literally decades." An educated and healthy workforce is the best economic incentive to attract businesses and create new, high paying jobs in North Carolina

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Libertarian Candidates
QUALIFICATIONS 1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
Munger (L)
I have worked for state & federal government, with a record of leadership. We have to change government, so we can once again be proud of public service. Right now, our citizens are ashamed of our corrupt legislature & our mismanaged highways & schools. With the right direction, & a new ethic of public responsibility, NC can lead the nation in innovation and service.

PRIORITIES FOR LEADERSHIP The North Carolina Progress Board publishes an annual report which “scores” North Carolina’s progress in meeting long term prosperity goals for the state. In 2007 the Board identified and scored the state’s progress in areas of health, poverty, housing, education, worker education and wages, environment, economy, infrastructure and accountable government. All of these areas are affected in great part by the governor’s leadership in public policy and legislation. 2. Of these areas, which would be the top priorities of the Governor's office and how would you address them?
Munger (L)
1. Education: more choices, more power for parents. Raise ceiling on charter schools 2.Control Municipal Aggression: End involuntary annexation, & control use of eminent domain & other regulatory takings except for clear & necessary public uses 3.Accountable government: more transparency, less corruption 4.Infrastructure: Improve roads policy, better management for DoT, HighwayPatrol, & DMV

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Republican Candidates
QUALIFICATIONS 1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
Graham (R)	McCrory (R)	Orr (R)	Powers (R)	Smith (R)
NR	My leadership experience as Mayor of Charlotte for the past 12 years. We have problems-everybody does-but I am proud to have led a city that works everyday to try and be better than we were the day before. From budgets, to roads, police, fire, and our airport we work hard to meet our challenges. To be able to have been Mayor and help attract jobs has been an honor and my strongest qualification	I believe my record of 18 years of service on our state’s two highest courts demonstrates my capabilities and my commitment to our people and our laws. I have won 4 statewide races because I can bring people together. My vision is focused on securing and expanding the prosperity and quality of life that we expect in North Carolina. If elected, I will strive to make that vision a reality.	Our state has much infighting, blaming one another from all parties. Politicians are taxpayers employees. Solutions and relief are needed, this you will have. The Governor should have communication, vision and knowledge on programs not working. Agency directors to be replaced based on experience not favoritism. I as Governor, Council of State and agency directors will be accountable to taxpayers	I am a conservative businessman with tested leadership skills and broad experience. I have been a farmer, served in the military, built a law firm, raised five wonderful children, grown successful businesses, and served as county commissioner and state senator. I am prepared to make the tough decisions necessary for North Carolina to meet our future challenges.

PRIORITIES FOR LEADERSHIP
The North Carolina Progress Board publishes an annual report which “scores” North Carolina’s progress in meeting long term prosperity goals for the state. In 2007 the Board identified and scored the state’s progress in areas of health, poverty, housing, education, worker education and wages, environment, economy, infrastructure and accountable government. All of these areas are affected in great part by the governor’s leadership in public policy and legislation.

2. Of these areas, which would be the top priorities of the Governor's office and how would you address them?

Graham (R)

McCrory (R)

Orr (R)

Powers (R)

Smith (R)

Jobs: To ensure our future growth we have to have an educated workforce. Clean air; clean water; good roads; good education and fair taxes will help us attract good people and good jobs to our state.
Roads: I will get the politics out of the NCDOT and build the roads where the traffic and safety needs are the greatest.
Crime/Immigration: Crack down on illegal immigration and gangs.
Education

Our next Governor must address the need for honest and open government. We cannot let corruption and secrecy diminish the people's trust. It is also imperative that we improve our public education system. Prosperity depends on being able to provide a well trained workforce. Finally, I am committed to ensuring that our healthcare system, roads, and infrastructure are ready for continued growth.

I cut wasteful spending w/hidden salaries. Adding revenue for our budget while reducing taxes, eliminating others taxes. Create jobs in each and every county. Relief to over burdened taxpayers now more involved in our state Govt.. The Most common sense solutions. Visit website for details www.elpowers.com Hopefully, you find relief to your everyday life. Relief begins w/your vote to Powers

As governor, I will make it a top priority to create an environment that will expand innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunities for all North Carolinians. By doing so, we can cultivate more jobs, higher wages and a well rounded economic base for our state. This growth will provide an expanded tax base, cut unemployment, and allow increased investment in infrastructure and our public schools

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Beginning of the Voter Guide

Democratic Candidates
QUALIFICATIONS 1. What are your strongest qualifications for this position?
Moore (D)	Nielson (D)	Perdue (D)
I have more executive branch experience than any other candidate. In the Hunt administration I led the response to numerous federally declared natural disasters, including hurricanes Fran and Floyd. As State Treasurer, I oversee the state’s $80 billion retirement system, ranked second in the nation for three straight years. This money belongs to more than 800,000 hard-working public servants.	I believe the qualities of trust, integrity, and leadership are most important for any public official. I will surround myself with great people who will serve with the best interests of the public in mind. Many current agency heads, that have wasted public funds or been to political will be asked to resign, Finally Balance-jail, Pheps-jail, Black -jail: I don't have any experience like that.	With experience as a public school teacher, health care administrator, legislator and Lt. Governor, I believe I am the candidate best prepared to bring hope and opportunity to our entire state, from the mountains to the coast. I’m laying out specific plans and ideas to build a new North Carolina that works for all of us, and am ready for the challenges ahead.