The one and only North Carolina gubernatorial debate took place last night between incumbent Roy Cooper and Republican challenger Dan Forest. Both candidates clashed on several topics from the response to the Coronavirus pandemic to the economy, along with healthcare and education.
Cooper came out swinging early with powerful shots at Forest, who has caught controversy from many voters for his stance on wearing face coverings before the debate. There were three interesting moment from last night that will have people talking beyond today.
"They’re part of the problem"
Part of Cooper's early jab at Forest was a continuation of his view on wearing masks. It allowed the Governor to flex some muscle on a topic most people in North Carolina collectively agree with.
“You know, politicians like this, who hold these in-person events and discourage masks, they’re part of the problem. They make it harder for us to ease our safety measures, harder for us to get our children back in school where they need to be,” said Cooper.
Forest stuck to a conservative talking point in his rebuttal to Cooper, saying the current administration's shut down of the state cost jobs.
“Masks is a great cover for the over million and a half people he has left unemployed, thousands of businesses that had to close and will never reopen,” Forest said. “The suicides and drug addictions and anxiety and depression is wreaking havoc across North Carolina.”
“Really Dan? Really? Masks don’t work? Scientists say they don’t?"
Perhaps the key moment in the debate was Cooper's expanded emphasis on the opening topic. “Really Dan? Really? Masks don’t work? Scientists say they don’t? That is just absolutely not true. You’re finding that on the dark corners of the internet. Across the board, scientists, Dr. Fauci, Dr. Redfield, are saying that masks are our greatest weapon to slow the spread of the virus,” Cooper elaborated.
In the end, Forest hammered away at the idea masks shouldn't be required for North Carolinians. A large reason why polls show Cooper ahead of his challenger.
“When will school return?”
One question many people are asking not just in the Carolinas, but in the nation with virtual learning becoming more standard. The debate moderator, UNC-TV's Wes Goforth, asked that very question to both candidates which received a similar approach, but different response. Cooper responded first by saying it was his "number one priority" going forward.
“We want our schools back normal, but we have to make sure that it’s safe for teachers and students. While I’m using science and data to make those decisions, Dan Forest is holding a press conference, saying we’re going to fill all the classes back up immediately.” Cooper was correct on his challenge's plans and was reaffirmed by him in the follow up. Cooper was correct on his challenge's plans and was reaffirmed by him in the follow up.
“Schools are open all over the world and in the United States," Forest said. "In fact, private schools have been open for 12 weeks in North Carolina. with no outbreaks or trouble from anyone. Our public schools can open the same way but the governor won’t take advice from anybody."
He went on to say, "Let’s get our kids in school because it is far more dangerous for our kids not to be in school than it is for them to be on the other side. Our kids are having massive struggles with anxiety, depression, screen addiction, abuse. Our kids are not even at risk of coronavirus. We need to open our schools.”
A poll from SurveyUSA yesterday shows Cooper ahead of Forest in the race for NC Governor by 13 points.