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Debate Between Schundler And McGreevey Begins Friendly, Ends With Fighting
Originally appeared in the Associated Press on Oct 17, 2001
(Trenton-AP, October 16, 2001) — Democrat Jim McGreevey and Republican Bret Schundler began a radio debate Tuesday night agreeing that they each want to cut property taxes, lower auto insurance rates and improve public education. They ended the program with a shouting match arguing over everything from suburban sprawl to abortion rights to gun laws.
With increasingly escalating voices the candidates accused each other of lying and fought to shout over the other. Listeners to the broadcast on N.J. 101.5 FM had a hard time hearing questions and answers as Schundler and McGreevey cut each other off.
Outside the studio the conflict continued.
Schundler was nasty, McGreevey said.
"This ought not to be about divisiveness and acrimony," McGreevey said.
Schundler said he was just trying to tell the truth.
"I haven't seen anybody who is as deceitful as Jim McGreevey," Schundler said. "I'm saying, 'Jim, I'm not going to let you lie."'
During the debate the candidates for governor fought over nearly every detail, at one point accusing each other of speaking "gibberish" when explaining proposals.
The two even sounded sour when a caller asked them to say something nice about each other. McGreevey said he liked Schundler's passion.
Schundler was impressed with McGreevey's memory, but offered a backhanded compliment.
"I don't memorize as well and I do typically think about policy," Schundler said. "It doesn't always sell as well and it's not as prepackaged."
Schundler, who trails McGreevey in almost every poll, repeatedly pushed his plan to rewrite the formula that funds public education.
Earlier Tuesday, McGreevey offered his proposals for more government accountability, including restoring the office of public advocate, strengthening the State Commission of Investigation and implementing a system to streamline government operations and eliminate waste.
The Woodbridge mayor cited the auto emissions contract and E-ZPass as the top two examples of mismanagement under state Republican leaders.
Schundler staged a Statehouse news conference Tuesday to promote his education tax credit, which he said would allow parents who spend up to $1,000 a year on school costs, including private school tuition, to take a $500 credit off of their state income taxes. Families whose children attend public schools could deduct the costs of books, supplies and tutoring.
Schundler said the credit, aimed at middle-class parents, would cost the state $223 million in lost revenue but would save $273 million in school-aid costs because families will have an incentive to enroll children in private schools or teach them at home.
The candidates are scheduled to meet Oct. 25 for the second of the two mandatory televised debates. That one will be broadcast on the ABC affiliate stations in Philadelphia and New York. The state's campaign finance laws require candidates who accept public matching funds to participate in two televised debates.
McGreevey and Schundler have also agreed to meet Thursday at a forum sponsored by the seven daily Gannett New Jersey newspapers, N.J. 101.5 FM and Comcast Cable's CN8 network.
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