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 Gubernatorial candidates reinforce central themes
Originally appeared in the Star Ledger on 10/19/01 In their third broadcast debate in nine days, gubernatorial candidates Bret Schundler and Jim McGreevey refused to stray from their campaign themes, once again jabbing each other on taxes, schools and guns in a "town meeting" last night at Rowan University.
Republican Schundler and Democrat McGreevey each tried to portray the other in the worst possible light with about 21/2 weeks to go before Election Day.
Schundler attempted to negate one of McGreevey's biggest charges -- that he supports allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons -- by making a promise never to change New Jersey's gun laws.
While each candidate attempted to get laughs from the crowd at the expense of the other, the tightly controlled question-and- answer session was more congenial than their bitter radio debate on Tuesday.
"Oh God, listen to this one," Schundler said prior to one McGreevey statement.
When the crowd cheered one of his comments, McGreevey playfully chided them: "Hey, you're killing my 30 seconds."
The big issues of the governor's race -- taxes, auto insurance, education -- were debated again. But the audience members and panelists also forced the candidates to address different issues, such as needle exchange for drug addicts, preserving civil liberties while fighting terrorism, and nasty campaign ads.
Schundler, who has been hit by McGreevey often on the gun issue, declared: "I'm going to promise to you right here that New Jersey's gun laws will not change when I am governor."
McGreevey, who earlier said Schundler had "made a deal with the gun lobby," scolded him for having answered a Christian Coalition questionnaire by saying he would change the law.
"You can't say one thing in front of one audience, and another thing in front of another audience," McGreevey said.
Schundler, who said during the primary that he could support a law making it easier to carry a concealed weapon, now says he recently learned that New Jersey does allow "at risk" people to obtain right-to-carry permits. Few people qualify, but Schundler's spokesman says he would not relax the rules. He continues to have the backing of the gun lobby.
After the debate, Schundler said he made the no-change promise because McGreevey "is spending millions of dollars of special interest money to misinform people. So I figure I better at least shout a little with my own human voice."
Schundler has charged that McGreevey would raise taxes if elected. Last night, Schundler again vowed never to raise taxes "even in a recession." McGreevey said he would keep spending in check to make sure there is no need to raise taxes.
At one point, when Schundler was touting his plan to end tolls on the Garden State Parkway, he claimed that would not only save money but reduce traffic congestion and road rage and allow people to spend more time with their families. Then, in a playful moment, he added it also would provide "peace on earth and good will toward men. It's almost spiritual." His remarks prompted a wave of laughter.
Instead of laughing, McGreevey said: "If it weren't so sad it would be funny, Bret."
When Schundler accused McGreevey of having no sense of humor, the Democrat responded, "I don't have a sense of humor when it comes to not being straight with New Jersey." McGreevey insisted Schundler cannot fulfill his promise to take down the toll booths within a year. For the first time in the campaign, McGreevey then said he might be able to end the tolls within seven years.
McGreevey kept up his drumbeat against Schundler's school choice program, which would help parents pay for their children to move from public schools to private ones at a state cost of up to $585 million for tax credits to those donating to a scholarship fund. McGreevey said the plan would rob dollars from public schools and cripple public education. Schundler said public schools aren't working and his plan would save tax dollars.
Schundler said he would consider letting pharmacies sell needles to drug addicts but would not let the government do so. McGreevey said he would not support allowing pharmacies to sell needles directly to addicts but might support a state-supervised program through hospitals.
And there were some issues that actually united the two candidates.
Both said they supported the state's new law creating an anti- terrorism task force. And both said there is no need to end negative campaign commercials.
Schundler even poked fun at the reporter who asked them to refrain from criticizing each other in commercials.
"Who are you to suggest it is good (to avoid campaign attacks), the way you in the news media bash candidates?" he said. "Give me a break."
The debate was held on the same college campus that was thrust into the international spotlight three decades ago when President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin conducted 10 hours of face-to-face talks in a two-day summit credited with easing tensions when world leaders feared a superpower confrontation.
The debate was broadcast live on television and radio by two of its sponsors: Comcast's CN8 and New Jersey 101.5 WKXW. It was also sponsored by Gannett newspapers.
They will meet next in a televised debate on Thursday at the College of New Jersey in Trenton.
Staff writer Ron Marsico contributed to this report.
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