News-Record.com

You might want to tune into UNC TV to hear an outstanding discussion of important state issues between gubernatorial candidates Pat McCrory and Mike Munger.

Both these men offer excellent, well-informed presentations of their views, without acrimony or attacks.

Not there, sadly, is the third candidate, Bev Perdue.

It's no small irony that, earlier today, Perdue announced a "First Day of Change" agenda, including her proposal for a "North Carolina Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns."

Now, it's certainly a concern that campaigns are costly and negative. An alternative financing scheme, coupled with a bar on negative campaigning, is worth discussing.

But consider: Perdue had an opportunity to appear on statewide television at this very moment and present a positive agenda. On the state's public TV network, no less. It would cost her campaign absolutely nothing.

And she turned it down. For the second time. So I have difficulty taking her idea seriously.

Furthermore, a positive pledge by a candidate means nothing if surrogates for that candidate conduct an expensive, negative campaign on her behalf ... which is exactly what is happening in this campaign. If Perdue would renounce and demand a stop to the attack ads on McCrory by a surrogate group, I might believe she's sincere on this issue.

She's also pledging to hold televised "gubernatorial town hall" meetings if she's elected. Maybe she would. But, again, is that more important than participating in a televised discussion of the issues of concern to North Carolinians now? If she won't do it now, will she really do it later?