The three Republican candidates for governor had very different answers on the issue of affirmative action in higher education when it came up at last weekend's debate at High Point University.

Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr said he opposes admissions decisions based on who students are, but he included "legacy students" whose parents have made donations.

"I think it's fundamentally wrong to say that you get in because you fit a special category," he said.

State Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton said government's role is to "create a level playing field" but not to make admissions decisions based on race or other characteristics.

"It is my opinion that affirmative action no longer has any place in American society," he said.

Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham said affirmative action can give minority students a boost to "go through the door of opportunity."

"If we're going to compete against China and India and the rest of the world, all hands have to be on deck," he said.

The article above is by Ryan Teague Beckwith, published in the News and Observer, Under the Dome column, October 25, 2007 and can be found online HERE.