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The News & Record's Voterspeak panel members on their take of N&R video interviews with candidates for governor.

The question: The News & Record posted video interviews online featuring the two major-party gubernatorial candidates, Beverly Perdue and Pat McCrory. Check out the clips, and then tell us about a point from one of the candidates that you disagree with and why.

And Voterspeak says:

Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican:
I actually agree with both candidates for governor on their responses to the respective questions on the death penalty and the challenge of illegal immigrants in the community college system.
One small point of contention I have with Perdue’s response is that she thinks the federal government needs to pass something else in addition to the current immigration laws to have a better handle on the issue. Why not enforce the current laws already on the books at the state level, then the community college enrollment question takes care of itself. Just a thought.

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: After watching both candidates respond, I can’t disagree with either. While I don’t agree with Beverly Perdue’s policies in most cases, she is right with not allowing illegal immigrants into our community colleges. Why educate someone that is here illegally and then return them home to work at jobs we have shipped to their country?
As for Pat McCrory - I support his stand on the death penalty. As a mother of one in law enforcement that was shot (and made it) I strongly support his stand.

Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: I agree with McCrory that something should be done about the gang issues plaguing the state. However, he does not seem to have a very clear plan of how to decrease the problem. He stated that certain crimes should not be forgiven but never gives a clear definition of what crimes and/or ages are included in what should be forgiven.
I do not agree with the death penalty. As Perdue stated, there are still situations where people are falsely accused of crimes despite the technology we have today. People should be punished for their crimes, but we as people do not have the right to judge someone and determine that the individual should die.

Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: I disagreed with Pat McCrory’s comments the death penalty moratorium. I’m aware of the Supreme Court ruling about Kentucky’s death penalty and the legality of lethal injection without the presence of a doctor, but I think there are other important questions that should be addressed during a moratorium. With questions about the adequacy of legal counsel and racial disparities, among other things, that still need to be addressed, I don’t think we should be in a hurry to end the moratorium.

Mike Kelly, 60, Republican:
I really do not disagree with either candidate and their positions on the questions put before them. My only quibble, and a minor quibble at that, is Mr. McCrory’s contention that offshore drilling will provide high-paying jobs to our citizens. That ain’t gonna happen. Having worked in the pipeline industry for 26 years, I know that these positions will be filled from within the oil and gas organizations unless our state mandates that a certain percentage of openings is filled by North Carolinians, also unlikely to happen.

Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: I disagree with Perdue and McCrory, who support the death penalty despite recent death-row inmates found innocent after decades in prison. The court system does not provide equal justice for all because poor people cannot afford the high cost of quality legal representation.
There should be a moratorium on executions until this can be addressed.

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: From the two minutes or so that Perdue speaks about community colleges and illegal immigrants, it seems clear to me that she thinks the four-year, straight-out-of-high-school, traditional college education is the only path worth spending time — and taxpayers’ money — on. And, conveniently, funding that ideal would effectively prevent not just illegal immigrants but plenty of American students who are plenty driven and talented from attaining “the hope of education,” as Perdue calls it. This, incidentally, is coming from the candidate who is a former public school teacher herself and who has the endorsement of the NCAE.
The simple fact is, the traditional college path is not for everyone, and that’s OK. We have gained so much ground in educating all of the kids in our schools and preparing all of them for life after they leave school, whatever that means for them. I know because I’ve been lucky enough to have been a part of it for the last five years. But who has the right to say that getting an electrician’s or contractor’s license at a community college is any less valuable, or challenging, than getting a bachelor’s degree? Myself, I earned the same degree as about a hundred other people from UNCG, but I’m fairly certain that each of us went about it in at least slightly different ways, yet we all have the exact same piece of paper.
What is most important about education is opportunity, and it seems to me that Perdue plans to portion out the opportunities rather sparingly.

Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: Beverly Purdue is reluctant to allow illegal immigrants access to community college education. I disagree with her decision although I certainly appreciate her reasoning.
She is pragmatic. There aren’t enough resources already, so why allow illegal immigrants access when they can’t legally work?
I understand her point and feel it is, at first glance, an economically responsible approach. She is also correct in desiring the federal government to provide more guidance on the issue.
Her perspective, however, demonstrates how little she knows about immigrant life (legal or not). The informal economy is alive and well among immigrants, so illegals can find under-the-table jobs. There are networks for this type of work among immigrant communities. While this may be against the law, informal economies keep families fed and housed. Immigrants, legal or not, are often hard-working people.
This has been true throughout America’s long immigrant history.
But most importantly, the children of illegal immigrants do better in school and will become more confident society members if their parents have access to education. We know there is gang activity in some immigrant communities — not having educational opportunities may increase such activity. Furthermore, illegal immigrants can feasibly spend entire lives here and remain part of the society, economy, and culture. Community colleges may not have the resources to deal with illegal immigrants. I get that. But I also know that a lack of education among any population demographic won’t lead to anything positive.

Mike Sigmon, 61, Republican: I agree with Bev Perdue that we should not have illegal immigrants receiving a free tuition to our Community Colleges.
I agree with Pat McCrory that the death penalty should be reinstated, now.

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: I disagree with both candidates on supporting the death penalty. From my own experience, I know the error into which any person may wander while sincerely believing one is absolutely right. The death penalty is irrevocable. Wrong judgments by human beings are unavoidable. Life imprisonment without parole, but with rights to appeal the conviction, is the best balance I can logically and emotionally justify.