News-Record.com

North Carolina editorial writers heard from six gubernatorial candidates today, in this order:

Fred Smith, R
Beverly Perdue, D
Bill Graham, R
Bob Orr, R
Richard Moore, D
Pat McCrory, R

Five out of six think the state's been suffering from pretty poor leadership the last few years.

Perdue, the lieutenant governor since 2001, thinks things are just fine. That's really simplified, but I think a fair impression. I was really disappointed in her response to my question about cleaning up corruption in Raleigh -- public campaign financing. I was looking for something like a vow to root out the crooks, not let them run for office on the taxpayers' dime.

I thought McCrory made a very strong showing today, followed closely by Moore, Orr and Smith.

Graham's credentials are light, and Perdue seems likely to give us a continuation of the Easley administration. Interestingly, she appears very confident that she will be the next governor. We'll see.

Moore, the state treasurer, trails her in the polls but is running very vigorously. He's getting around to a lot of newspapers, a big point in his favor. He's a strong proponent of accountability, which he says is a rare commodity in Raleigh (outside his own office, of course). "I'm going to be the most open and accessible governor in modern times," he promised.

McCrory, the seven-term mayor of Charlotte, made a similar pledge. He really hammered Mike Easley for refusing to meet with a delegation of big-city mayors, DA's and police chiefs that sought an audience last year to talk about crime problems. "We couldn't get in his office," McCrory said. "Incredible. A mayor can't get away with that and neither should a governor." McCrory's running on a platform of having gotten things done in the state's major metro, and "stepping on the toes of the left and the right" to clear the way for progress.

Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice, is thoughtful and congenial. Unlike many politicians, he acknowledges complexities and subtleties in public policy issues, taking a logical, intellectual approach to problem-solving. No wonder he's dragging in the polls.

Smith is a state senator and businessman from Johnston County. He may be the most conservative candidate, with predictable positions on many social issues, but he's also a student of leadership and pronounces himself a gradualist, believing if you keep doing little things right over a long period of time you'll reach positive outcomes. He's good at outlining step-by-step solutions to pressing problems.

I agree with five of the candidates that better, more accountable leadership is needed in Raleigh. In the months ahead, voters should look carefully to determine which one makes the best case for himself.