Redstate

or: Let's Lose Ed.

By Mark Kilmer Posted in 2006 — Comments (10) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

The debate began at 7 on KDKA, and my notes are blow the fold. Forgive my rust, as I haven't done this since the final Bush-Kerry debate. I didn't cover every question, but I got a good sample.

[You can watch the vid of the debate online at the KDKA web site. Check it out for yourself.]

Lynn Swann won the debate. Ed stammered, accused Swann on lying, and forced his smile. Swann explained clearly, backing his criticisms with stats.

Most important to my eye in this debate is that Lynn Swann was clearly the adult behind the podiums with the P's for Point Park University. Two students, both females, asked questions, which Swann answered. Ed came across as a physics prof explaining Quantum Theory to a seven-year-old.

Let's see the results.

My notes, in rough form, are below the fold:

With Ken Rice of KDKA moderating, with two questioners from the TV station, two from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Ed won the coin toss:

Ed said, as if with gravel lodged in his throat, that we should pray for the Amish children. He said that Pennsylvania is getting better than it was, and this is happening because government was willing to spend taxpayer's money. (He called it, "Invest.")

Lynn Swann gave his introductory remarks. He believes that "this election will be about change for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." He wants to do, as governor, not only what he has thought of, but what people have told him that they wanted. He believes, he said, in reform and results. He pointed out that we can't have reform without a change of governor. Ed Rendell also believes in two R's, he said: Rhetoric and Rendell.

First question, from Rice, about the recent deaths. Was it a madman, or is there something government could do to prevent such things. Swann said it seems like a "random act of violence," and he doesn't think there is anything anyone could have done, based on the information he'd received. Rendell said that we should have more cops on the street, more law enforcement, prosecuting gun felons, and mandatory sentences for drug dealers who use guns. He would have prevented this crime by passing "sensible" gun laws.

The next questioner, John Delano of KDKA, accused Ed of a flip-flop, for the pay raise before he was against it. He said it was a mistake, and he blamed Governor Ridge. He said that he should have done what he did in Philadelphia and establish a citizens commission to determine how much money they should make.

Swann said that Ed had "been on every side of this issue," but had blamed the legislature. He doesn't think Ed should have a mulligan on this. Ed said that before he signed the pay raise, he said that he wouldn't take the pay raise. He then said Swann was a hypocrite for supporting two of the legislators who passed the pay raise. Swann chuckled but pointed out that Ed supported Veon, He pointed out that Ed had negotiated it and signed it.

Then, due to Rice's mistake, they got 30 seconds to rebut school violence. Swann asked why, if crime had been such an issue for Rendell, why was Swann endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police? Rendell countered that the Chiefs of Police would endorse him tomorrow.

Ed boasted of saving the Philadelphia subway system.

David Shribman of the Post-Gazette asked Ed about his pledge to lower property taxes by 30%. Ed told him that every gubernatorial candidate promised it, and no one delivered. He blamed the legislature for not raising other taxes so he could decrease property taxes for everyone. Swann criticized Ed for throwing money at the Seniors but reforming nothing. He faulted Ed for blaming the legislature.

They argued numbers, with Ed inflating Pennsylvania's budgetary surplus. Ed called Swann's tax plan another Prop 13. Swann said that they had some similarities, but they were not the same.

Rice used his prerogative if, since Ed had admitted a mistake for signing the pay raise, would he admit one for promising a 30% tax cut? Ed wouldn't. He blamed the legislature. Swann said Ed should be held accountable.

Swann criticized for collecting a Comcast paycheck while giving them $48-million from the State. Ed accused Swann of making stuff up, because he gave his paycheck to charity. Swann pointed out that it a tax write-off, thus benefiting Ed. He called it a conflict.

Jennifer Gerkin, a communications major a Point Park University, asked Ed if we should ban all smoking. Ed thinks we should pass a Statewide ban. Swann said "we cross a very serious line" when we tell private businesses what they can or cannot do when they warn people. He supported a ban in all other public places, however.

Ed said smokers can go outside and smoke. The health evidence, he said, is overwhelming and government should do something about it. Swann said that if the establishment warns that smoking is allowed there, people can choose not to patronize.

Rendell's brow began to furrow at about 25 minutes pas seven. He looked like the Mayor of Philadelphia. But he also took a condescending, explaining-to-kids expression in the two questions with the students.

Rice pointed out that Pennsylvania ranks low in business friendliness. Rendell blamed the report, calling it outdated. We're really 15th, 14th, or 16th according to the three studies the names of which he dropped.

Swann said that he is glad that Ed admits that the corporate net income tax needs to be lowered, We're not competitive. Ed cost us 30,000 jobs by raising the personal income tax by 9.6%. He pointed out that our college students were leaving.

Ed defended his income tax hikes, saying that other States have higher income taxes. He cited the Commonwealth Foundation.

Delano said Swann had no experience, and Ronald Reagan espoused his view for years before running for office. Ronald Reagan, Mitt Romney, Bill Bradley all were citizens before becoming governor. Ed said that celebrities should be allowed to run if they have plans, and he equated Swann's plan with California's Prop 13 again. It is a disaster which will set the State into the worst fiscal crisis in history. He said that Swann does not know how to pay for his tax cuts.

Swann said his plan was in his book, which Ed had read because Ed's borrowing his items. Swann said his plan was backed by the Commonwealth Foundation. He said that Swann's plan would bring chaos.

Ed got a laugh from two or three of his supporters in the audience when Swann tried to correct and him and he said: "You grew up where you got a penalty if you didn't follow the rules." (I think I detected three voices laughing.)

On education, Swann points out how bad it is in Philadelphia and in Pittsburgh. Ed talks about education, "but it's all rhetoric and not results." Ed said that things have gotten better since he became governor. Ed blamed street gangs.

Lynn Swann said that if gambling were to be brought to Pennsylvania, it should be been hooked up with the race tracks. He pointed out that he calls it "gambling," because "gaming" is hunting and fishing. He referred to various problems with the "gambling commission." Ed said that Pennsylvania doesn't need "any more gambling" than he's going to give them. He said that we will make more than $1.5-billion in gambling revenue.

Ed interrupted Swann when he was talking about the lack of oversight in gambling. Swann stopped and looked at Ed until the governor apologized like a school kid. He then continued speaking.

State pensions are a "ticking time bomb," Ed said. He said that we have to "try to look for ways to remedy that problem." Cutting benefits is the idea he floated. Swann said that something should have already been done about this problem. He said we have to work on the problem today, "instead of 2008 or 2009."

Rice brought up the State's falling S.A.T. scores. Swann said that this contradicts Ed's assertion that he State is doing better than it had been. Swann said we have to target the schools that are underperforming. Ed said that our results were skewed because Pennyslvania has the dumb kids take the test too.

Ed said that he was giving every student a laptop. Swann said that they do not do any good if they cannot read.

Closing Statement: Ed said that he has been in government his entire life, and this has taught him how to make government better. He promised everyone health care insurance (Ed-care)? He said that government should take people's money and use it to improve their lives.

Closing Statement: Swann talked of "reform and results." He asked if we want another three years of rhetoric, or do we want to look at the reality of Ed's record. In 3 ½ years of the Rendell Administration, 12 hospitals had closed. One in Johnstown announced on Friday that it would close, and this is largely because we don't have tort reform. We're paying more property taxes, but we're not getting results. For all of Ed's experience, we've not received results. For all of Ed's experience, the property tax was signed.

After the debate, as the music played, Ed fled behind the questioners. Swann stayed on stage and spoke to the moderator. The coverage was followed by a Swann for Governor commercial and then a commercial for Junior Casey.

(cross-posted at the SwannBlog.)

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Alexander K. McClure blogged the debate at Wizbang: "Swann is an excellent speaker and has a solid command of the issues. Thus far he has shown he is more than the Governor's equal on the debating platform. I hope that he is able to raise enough money to increase his presence on the air."

Randy Potter calls it for Swann: "Swann entered tonight's gubenatorial debate with an offensive campaign strategy that seemed to dazzle everyone watching even the legendary Ed Rendell. Swann seemed more youthful, speedy and energized while Rendell seemed frustrated and slow on his feet. Any objective viewer of the debate must conclude that Lynn Swann's performance was superior to that of Ed Rendell."

Alex Charyna at Three Sources sees Swann as the clear winner: "Clearly Lynn Swann wins. I thought Rendell was supposed to be a polished politician. I thought he was a pol in the mold of William Jefferson Clinton? He was far too much on the defensive, and Swann had him on the ropes, particularly on the pay raise flip-flopping and the state of education. Lynn Swann's citizen politician answer was perfect. He knew the issues. Rendell looked to be using notes."

And KDKA web poll has it, as I type, 67% for Swann, 33% for Ed.

Remember, folks, the line from the State mainstream media and from some observers was that Swann would not have command of the issues, that Ed would eat him alive in a debate. "Swann needs practice!" He's practiced with the pro's, and he has proven that he is ready. Ed, on the other hand, still isn't.