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McGreevey, Schundler hold civil town meeting at Rowan
Originally appeared in the Press Pluss on October 19, 2001
GLASSBORO - Spectators were looking for a fight, but didn't get one.
Gubernatorial candidates Jim McGreevey and Bret Schundler put their ill feelings about each other on hold Thursday evening in a town meeting at Rowan University here.
Unlike their earlier appearances -- a formal debate and a radio call-in show which featured sniping and shouting -- both Democrat McGreevey and Republican Schundler took the high ground. They politely answered questions from people here and in satellite locations in Union and Monmouth counties, and even their policy disagreements were low-key, if firm.
The only time the forum got testy was when McGreevey and Schundler argued over removing Garden State Parkway tolls.
Schundler said his plan was "almost spiritual," which drew laughter from the audience.
McGreevey didn't crack a smile, saying, "If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny."
It was all preceded by an admission from the candidates that the campaign had to change.
"People are tired of the acrimony, tired of the bitterness," McGreevey said.
"People want a good, clean campaign. They want to hear where we stand on the issues. They want the personal bickering to stop.
"I will work hard until the end of the campaign to make sure I am civil and focused on the issues," he said.
Schundler said he agreed. He said after the town meeting ended that the forum allowed for more civility by providing a relaxed atmosphere where "you can talk directly to citizens."
But when asked if they would forgo any negative campaign advertisements, both Schundler and McGreevey made it clear that probably wouldn't happen.
"What's important is that I want to show there are differences," McGreevey said.
"Jim and I finally agree that we have contrasts," Schundler said.
Then, Schundler took a stab at the media member who asked the question about candidates bashing each other.
"The way the people in the media bash candidates, give me a break," he said, drawing cheers from people inside Pfleeger Concert Hall.
If Schundler and McGreevey didn't provide fireworks, their supporters outside the building tried to.
People attending the debate ran a sort of gauntlet between McGreevey supporters on the left, and Schundler supporters on the right.
Separated by campus police, the supporters - McGreevey's the louder, while Schundler's were better dressed -- waved signs, beat drums and tried their best to shout each other down.
"Bret's going down, Bret's going down," was the main chant from the McGreevey supporters.
"Go, Bret, go," returned Schundler's supporters, including one person on stilts.
Thursday's forum was broadcast live on CN8 and NJ 101.5 FM.
Woodbridge Mayor McGreevey and Schundler, the former mayor of Jersey City, have one formal debate left. That will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 and broadcast over WPVI-TV.
While the forum surprised some people by its civility, it provided no surprises regarding policy and issues.
Both candidates rehashed earlier statements regarding their stands on everything from tax reform to school vouchers.
They billed themselves as champions of the middle class, with Schundler going so far as to say how he cleaned toilets and worked as a security guard to help pay his way through college.
One topic that drew more questions than before involved New Jersey's homeland security plan, and how it can be carried out without infringing on civil rights.
McGreevey said he was committed to preserving civil liberties, saying it's possible to protect state residents without infringing on those liberties.
Schundler said, "I don't think we have to imagine that we can protect ourselves against terrorism and give up civil liberties in any way."
Schundler was also more adamant than before regarding his stand on gun control: He said he supports the state's gun laws, and wouldn't push to change them or allow the carrying of concealed weapons.
Schundler said he would "absolutely not" raise taxes. McGreevey said he will make sure government "works within its means."
Both candidate said they supported arming commercial airline pilots.
When it was all over, Schundler was asked about who asks better questions, the media or "regular citizens."
"Regular citizens," he shot back.
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