5 Republican candidates for NC governor hold final debate

ASHEVILLE (AP) — Five Republican candidates for North Carolina held their final debate in Asheville, with at least two emphasizing their connections to western North Carolina.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham promised to pay attention to every part of the state, including the western part. Former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr mentioned being a native of the region.

Asked to describe each other’s greatest weaknesses and strengths, the candidates followed state Sen. Fred Smith’s lead and skipped the weaknesses.

But Smith, a Johnston County developer, even delivered his praise with an edge, saying he would choose Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory to sell his houses.

McCrory responded by stressing salesmanship as a strength.

Sampson County pecan farmer Elbie Powers called for a state-run health insurance company and for the state to bottle its own water and sell it.

North Carolina’s primary will be held Tuesday.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)