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Candidates stick to scripts in Jekyll Island debate
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Former Gov. Roy Barnes, right, listens as Attorney General Thurbert Baker talks about his plans to fund education with state-run bingo during a gubernatorial debate Wednesday on Jekyll Island. They were among six Democratic candidates who attended the debate. - photo by TERRY DICKSON

JEKYLL ISLAND — Former Gov. Roy Barnes sat through a Republican gubernatorial candidate debate Thursday and was unimpressed.

"It was worse than paint drying," he said after the five-way forum sponsored by the Georgia Press Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "I've never seen anything so dull."

But when Barnes and five other Democrats took their turn at the debate table, little — if any —  new ground was broken. The Republicans tried to outdo each other in calling for tough action against illegal immigrants; Democrats said they liked federal economic stimulus cash.

Democrats and Republicans will compete in separate primaries in the July 20 primary.

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