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Debate is a study in contrasts
Originally appeared in the Star Ledger on 10/11/01
Gubernatorial candidates Jim McGreevey and Bret
Schundler showcased their stark differences on taxes,
tolls, education and abortion last night in a televised
debate that found each candidate turning up the rhetorical
heat that had been toned down following the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks.
Each candidate portrayed himself as the kind of leader
New Jersey needs in the aftermath of the attacks on the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Democrat McGreevey, the Woodbridge mayor, and
Republican Schundler, the former Jersey City mayor, also
clashed over their records as leaders of New Jersey cities.
With less than four weeks left in the campaign, Schundler
portrayed McGreevey as a tax-raising Democrat who will
hurt the state's economy, and McGreevey said Schundler's
conservative stances on abortion, guns and school choice
are out of step with New Jersey voters.
"This man is worse that Jim Florio," said Schundler. "You
will have the highest taxes in America. It will hurt us."
"With all due respect to Mr. Schundler, I think he has the
wrong values, whether on choice, concealed weapons or
dismantling public education," McGreevey said. "I respect
the sincerity of Mr. Schundler on so many of these issues.
I just believe that they're wrong for New Jersey."
The terrorist attacks forced the candidates to suspend their
campaigns for several weeks during a time when voters
traditionally begin to focus on the governor's race. After
testing the waters with cautious calls for national unity,
both candidates have begun to bring back the charges they
hurled at each other during the summer.
Those charges were on full display last night at the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark -- but not before
both candidates spoke of the attack.
"Our lives were changed on Sept. 11," Schundler said.
"Those terrorists hurt us but they will not defeat us. . . .
They may be willing to die to kill others . . . but we saw
Americans who were willing to die to save others . . .
Schundler said he would make sure the State Police are
empowered "to keep our people safe," including giving
them more authority to wiretap suspects. He also said he
would reform state programs and cut taxes to prepare for
the expected downturn in the economy.
McGreevey said New Jersey had "an excellent response"
to the terrorist attack, and said the state "should focus on
terrorism like we focused on organized crime in the
1960s," calling for a counter-terrorism task force.
Schundler also used a common theme against
McGreevey, who voted for Gov. Jim Florio's tax increases
and then supported Gov. Christie Whitman's tax cuts: "If
you want higher taxes you should vote for him . . . if you
want lower taxes vote for me."
McGreevey said his "commitment is that we are not going
to increase taxes." Later, however, he added: "After what
happened on Sept. 11, I think it's irresponsible for a
government official to say under any circumstances to
make that kind of commitment."
Following the debate, McGreevey tried to explain his
caveat on taxes, saying an increase might be necessary
"in case of an unforeseen disaster (like the Sept. 11
attack). But clearly I do not see the need to raise taxes.
McGreevey also told the debate audience Schundler has
made "$3 billion worth of promises."
"The point is this -- I believe the government has to live
within its means," McGreevey said.
McGreevey called Schundler out of step with New Jersey
voters on abortion. Schundler, who opposes abortion
except in cases where the mother's life is threatened, said
he would not try to impose his views on the public.
"I'm not just talking about abortion. In everything I do, I try
to make sure that I have the people supporting me while I
go forward," the Republican said.
The two sparred over one of Schundler's promises -- to
remove tolls on the Garden State Parkway within nine
months. McGreevey said he supported removing the tolls,
but said complications such as retiring more than $600
million in debt will take time.
"Tell the truth," McGreevey said. "I can't get rid of the tolls
in nine months, and respectfully, neither can Mr.
Schundler." The comment was reminiscent of Walter
Mondale's candor about taxes when he accepted the
Democratic nomination to run against President Ronald
Reagan in 1984: "Mr. Reagan will raise taxes; and so will I.
He won't tell you. I just did."
Schundler, who said the state budget can handle the debt
and the extra cost of $190 million a year in lost toll
revenue, called removing tolls a tax cut. "Why can't you do
it in nine months?" Schundler said. "Connecticut did it in
six months . . . It is a piece of cake."
McGreevey said that under eight years of Republican rule,
New Jersey had the nation's highest property tax and auto
insurance rates and "waste and mismanagement" with
giant contracts for auto emissions testing and E-Z pass.
At one point, Schundler attacked McGreevey for allegedly
being a slave to special interest groups. McGreevey, who
has been endorsed by unions representing police and
firemen, had a sharp retort.
"Mr. Schundler calls police and fire special interests. I call
them special heroes. They are the guys who ran into the
building. They've endorsed me. And they are not supporting
Mr. Schundler."
Both candidates decried racial profiling. Schundler said he
would ban troopers from asking motorists for consent to
search their vehicles until a computerized monitoring
system is in place, criticizing McGreevey for not following
suit. The Democrat said these consent searches are a
valuable law enforcement tool.
The two candidates also showed their stark contrast on
Schundler's plan to push for school choice -- providing
dollars from a private scholarship fund to send children to
private schools.
McGreevey contends Schundler's plan would sap $600
million from public schools "and weaken them." Schundler
argues it would offer parents in failing school districts a
choice for their children, charging McGreevey "wants to
keep the NJEA, the teachers union, happy."
With a new poll giving McGreevey a 17 percentage point
lead, the Democrat yesterday released a barrage of
television and radio ads. The ads by McGreevey's
campaign and the Democratic Party pitched the
candidate's stance on familiar issues such as auto
insurance and education while hitting at Schundler's
positions on abortion and guns. Schundler is also airing
ads touting his leadership ability and criticizing
McGreevey's record as mayor.
After the debate, Schundler campaign manager Bill
Pascoe claimed victory.
"Bret Schundler showed once again that he is prepared to
lead New Jersey through uncertain economic times. He
pledged to the people of New Jersey that he would cut
taxes to make our economy strong, keep our streets safe,
reform our schools without throwing more money at them,
and ensure that our state is making every possible effort to
be prepared for another possible terrorist threat," he said.
But Democratic lobbyist Harold Hodes said McGreevey
triumphed. "What you saw tonight was a Jim McGreevey
upbeat and in control and not afraid to say where he
stands," Hodes said. He said Schundler blundered by
calling himself a conservative in front of such a big
audience in a largely moderate state. "A conservative can't
win in a state like New Jersey, especially with his position
on guns and abortion."
Last night's debate was broadcast live by New Jersey
Network's television and radio stations and on C-SPAN,
and was sponsored by NJN, sponsored by The Record of
Hackensack, The Herald-News of Passaic, and the
Philadelphia Inquirer. The candidates are scheduled to
meet Oct. 25 for the second of the two mandatory debates.
They have also agreed to appear on a live radio call-in
program on Oct. 16, and at a forum on Oct. 18.
Staff writers Ron Marsico and Jeff Whelan contributed to
this report.
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