Education, health care essential

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue called herself an "education governor" Saturday at the state Democratic Party convention in New Bern, and she said her Republican opponent and President Bush are dancing a "Texas two-step."

Perdue received a standing ovation when she spoke in front of hundreds of Democrats at the Riverfront Convention Center. When the crowd sat down, she reminded them Bush was in Raleigh on Friday for a fund-raising event for Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, her opponent in the gubernatorial election.

"I think the fact the president was here raising money was interesting," Perdue said. "My opponent and the president have a Texas two-step going on of failed policies. That's a parody."

Perdue said she does not agree with Bush's suggestion to drill for oil near the United States coast.

"The last thing I want is an Exxon Valdez disaster to happen off the North Carolina coast," she said. "My opponent has said he is not sure how he feels about drilling."

Perdue said she and Richard Moore, her opponent in the Democratic primary, had similar views. She said she and McCrory are "dramatically different." She said McCrory does not believe that health care coverage can be available for every child.

"The Republicans say it can't be done," Perdue said. "But we should believe it can. The core issues are all wrapped around public education and health care."

She said every student should have a chance to use the best technology and teachers should be paid professional salaries. She said the state's public education system allowed her to grow up and run for governor.

"I haven't made promises to you," she said. "That's wrong. But I promise you that, if you work hard for me and this party like you've been working, you'll have a governor who's waking up in the morning thinking about you."