(WEST ORANGE, OCTOBER 26) - Schundler for Governor campaign manager Bill Pascoe, highlighting Jim McGreevey’s stunning flip-flop on taxes during last night’s ELEC debate, today issued the following statement:

“Desperate candidates do desperate things, and last night, in utter and complete desperation, Jim McGreevey committed the biggest flip-flop of his life -- promising not to raise taxes. Let me tell you -- Jim McGreevey promising not to raise taxes is about as believable as Bret Schundler promising to answer a reporter’s question with a short sound bite.

“This is truly stunning news. After spending weeks incessantly repeating the canard that committing not to raise taxes would be ‘irresponsible,’ McGreevey last night changed his tune and instead pledged ‘we are not going to raise taxes.’ Now, one of two things must be true: either Jim McGreevey NO LONGER believes it is ‘irresponsible’ to promise not to raise taxes, or he CONTINUES to believe it is ‘irresponsible’ to make such a promise. If it’s the former, then he should be ashamed of himself for attacking Bret Schundler for Bret’s pledge not to raise taxes and he should apologize immediately; if it’s the latter, then he should be ashamed of himself for the worst kind of insincere pandering, and New Jersey taxpayers should STILL keep their hands on their wallets.

“We predicted yesterday afternoon that Jim McGreevey was going to promise last night not to raise taxes and our prediction was proved accurate. Today, I’ll offer a new prediction -- the voters of New Jersey are smart enough to see through Jim McGreevey’s insincere promise, and they’re going to vote for the leader with the proven record of cutting taxes to keep the economy strong -- Bret Schundler. “