By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press Writer

JUNEAU — The three highest-profile GOP candidates for governor made their case for votes — and took occasional jabs at each other — Thursday during one of their remaining debates before next month's party primary.

Gov. Sean Parnell, Ralph Samuels and Bill Walker each gave mini versions of their stump speeches, with Parnell talking about his record during his first year. Samuels pressed the need for more restrained government spending; Walker reiterated his belief that an instate natural gas line is essential to the state's economy and jobs.

Walker, an Anchorage attorney, has branded himself the "all Alaska" candidate in reference to an all-Alaska pipeline; critics have branded him a one-issue candidate. Parnell, while not explictly mentioning Walker, said being governor is about "so much more than a single issue."

Walker, in turn, said he enjoyed the debate, one of a handful so far in which Parnell has participated. He said he's joked that this has been his "summer with Ralph," with the two sometimes showing up for forums without Parnell, whom they've called a debate dodger.

Thursday's Juneau Chamber of Commerce debate at times felt like a speed-dating session, with some audience questions — and even a few from the candidates themselves — rapidly or succintly answered.

Before a full house at the Moose lodge, where lunch included spaghetti and a staticky microphone got things off to a shaky start, Parnell sought to cast himself as a man of action, aggressive in pursuing energy projects, creating more opportunities for Alaskans and budgeting with an eye to the next 10 years. It was a rebuttal to his opponents' take on his tenure: that Parnell hasn't shown the leadership necessary to control government spending and growth; respond to the expected continued decline of oil production; and grow Alaska's resource-dependent economy.

"You know, I'm all about scholarships; they're great," Walker said, referring to the merit scholarship idea Parnell has advanced and made a centerpiece of his legislative agenda. "But I want to have jobs for them (students), when they get their education."

"We are working to grow every part of Alaska," Parnell said in his closing remarks.

Parnell entered the final month before the Aug. 24 primary with about $124,000 on hand; in their financial disclosures to the state, Walker, who has self-financed much of his campaign, reported having about $89,000 available and Samuels, nearly $57,000.