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Debate III: Schundler, McGreevey meet today
Originally appeared in the Press Plus on October 25, 2001 The New York Yankees' victory over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series, in addition to catapulting them to the World Series, means a potential game seven will be one less distraction for New Jersey citizens when Republican Bret Schundler meets Democrat Jim McGreevey in their final official gubernatorial debate tonight.
For Schundler, it's an opportunity to capture the attention of an electorate that, to this point, has been distracted by other events. Schundler, facing a deficit of 10 points or more in most polls, has one more chance in a statewide forum to convince voters he is a better leader for the state.
Schundler spokesman Bill Guhl said a seventh game in the league championship series could have limited the debate's audience.
"Well, I think that obviously a lot of people are going to be interested in the progress in the Yankees are making," Guhl said.
Voters also have had more serious matters on their minds in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to Dr. Monika McDermott, associate director of polling at the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University.
"Voters, while we have a lot of respect for them, they're very easily distracted from politics," McDermott said during a recent lecture on what to expect in this year's elections.
McDermott said the election has not been on the front page of newspapers or at the front of voters' minds.
"There's just too much else out there to focus on," McDermott said. "You can't sell yourself to people who aren't in the market."
Guhl said Schundler will continue to focus on property taxes, education and state safety in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"You're going to see Bret continue to try to explain to voters what the differences are between his approach to dealing with problems and Jim McGreevey's approach, with regards to what each candidate has promised and with regard to what each candidate's record in public office is," Guhl said.
Schundler likely will focus on what has become the focal point of his campaign: the assertion that he will lower taxes, while McGreevey will raise them.
McGreevey has said he has no intention of raising taxes but said in a recent debate that it would irresponsible to rule it out in uncertain economic times.
The two candidates also will meet in a debate televised on a New York NBC affiliate this weekend.
But for many residents, this will be the final chance to see the candidates face to face.
It causes some observers to question why many debates are scheduled for Thursday nights, when candidates must compete for attention with popular television shows like "Friends" and "Survivor."
This time, the candidates will avoid those juggernauts since the debate begins at 7 p.m.
Guhl said that while the debate will provide a side-by-side comparison, other factors, such as radio and television advertisements, mailings and campaign appearances, will influence the outcome of the election.
"I don't think these debates have a dramatic impact on how people are going to vote on Election Day," Guhl said.
McGreevey spokesman Sean Walsh said his candidate would continue to focus on themes he has highlighted throughout the campaign.
"Jim McGreevey is going to making it clear that he is the only candidate for governor who will fight for New Jersey's working families on the issues that matter most to them, like improving schools, tackling auto insurance rates, and protecting choice and New Jersey's tough gun control laws," Walsh said.
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