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Live-blogging the gubernatorial debate

HARRISBURG—Good evening political junkies. We’re live-blogging the Democratic gubernatorial debate at the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit. All four candidates are here.

So stay tuned.

7:27 p.m.—The four candidates enter to “Revolution” by the Beatles. Interesting.

7:28—Eileen Connolly of SEIU says all the candidates were invited, only the Democrats came. I can’t imagine why.

7:30—Connolly lays out format. Each candidate gets a two-minute opening and closing statement. “I will cut you off.” Order is alphabetical by last name, reverse-alphabetical for closing statement. Then questions. Answers limited to one-and-a-half minutes, and then 30 second rebuttals.

7:32—Chris Doherty’s opening statement. But wait, the mic isn’t working.

7:33—OK, now it’s working. “When I took over Scranton 8 years ago, it was a city that didn’t see any investment … for decades. … I chose to invest in it.”

7:34—Doherty sure loves to mention those BusinessWeek and Money Magazine rankings. “I believe I can do for Pennsylvania what I’ve done for Scranton.”

7:35—”When people come together under a shared vision of success, they will succeed. And that’s what we need to do for Pennsylvania.”

7:36—Joe Hoeffel’s opening remarks. “I’m running for governor because i want to challenge state government to do better for the people of Pennsylvania.”

7:37—”I want us to have a shared committment to values that our socially liberal and programs that are fiscally responsible. … “Ronald reagan had it wrong when he said that government is the enemy.” [gets an applause on that] “It is not. It is the way that we selectively respond and address the problems we have.”

7:38—Dan Onorato’s opening remarks, starts talking about what they’ve done in Allegheny County. “Six years ago when I took over Allegheny county, we were on our backs.”

7:39—Everyone loves talking about how media talks about their cities. “The New York Times has put us on the front page five times in the last year as the only bright spot in this economy,” Onorato says.

7:40—Jack Wagner’s opening remarks. “I’m a candidate for governor because I’m not pleased with the performance of Pennsylvania. … I see the american dream vanishing. I don’t just see that. You see that.”

7:41—Talks about walking the picket-lines as a union member, serving in Vietnam, working in the private sector, then public sector. “This government needs to be put back on the right track. I’ve been doing that with audits that have never been done before.”

7:42—First question, “How would you as governor ensure adequate funding for safety-net programs while at the same time trying to create family-sustaining jobs?” Hoeffel’s up first, says he’d start with significant tax reform. Gets applause for “we need a graduated income tax. … We need to take the focus off the local property tax and onto the income tax.”

7:44—Onorato says he would move immediately for income tax credits “to allow the working people of pennsylvania to keep more of their money moving forward. … As governor, I’ll take a hard stance. on july first, if there isn’t a budget, my stance is the governor and the legislature shouldn’t get paid.”

7:46—Wagner says “Let’s start by passing a budget on time. … We have used [state employees] as a pawn to pass a budget. That is wrong.”

7:47—Deep thought: If audits, swaps and no-bid contracts were sexier political issues… Jack Wagner would be a shoo-in for governor.

7:48—Chris Doherty says investment in these programs show “who we are as the people of Pennsylvania.”

7:49—I’m not sure how necessary the rebuttals are in this format. But Hoeffel’s returning to what he did in MontCo for 30 seconds.

7:50—By the way, I’m sitting next to the official timer… and she’s doing a great job.

7:51—Yea, I’m gonna say that with four people on the stage, rebuttals are a little hectic/convoluted.

7:52—Next question about same-sex marriage gets applause. Onorato, “that’s a very important issue.” Talks about the non-discrimination bill in Allegheny County. “I don’t support same-sex marriage. I do believe we can accomplish a lot of these issues through civil unions and domestic partnerships.”

7:53—Wagner says “I support marriage between a man and a women…” but he says he’s been very good to the gay-lesbian community. Talks about stuff he pushed in state Senate.

7:53—Doherty: “as the only one here who actually performs weddings, I don’t have a problem with same-sex marriage.” that gets a lot of applause. “Everyone has the right to be happy.”

7:54—Joe Hoeffel: “I favor equal civil rights for all. I favor marriage equality. And I favor telling those who oppose same-sex marriage that in the eyes of god, we are all equal. and our laws here on earth should reflect that equality.

7:55—Of his two gay neighbors, Hoeffel says: “They put their trash out on the days they are supposed to.” That gets laughs. “The only difference between them and other neighbors is that they put pretty flowers out.” That ones gets some gasps.

7:56—In rebuttal, Onorato says it doesn’t matter as much what he believes as what he’s done.

7:57—Wagner passes on rebuttal “because I respect everyone’s opinion.” Hoeffel says Onorato isn’t the only one who’s gotten it done. Recalls legislation sponsored in Congress.

7:58—Next question, what would you do to revitalize manufacturing? Wagner says “I have been a strong supporter of manufacturing …” Wagner’s talking up manufacturing, but he’s running out of time to answer the question. “A specific program to zero in on job retention on manufacturing specifically.”

8:00—This question about manufacturing might be a stumper. No one seems to be able to answer it with specific solutions. They’re just talking up the importance of manufacturing. Chris Doherty veered into education. Oh well.

8:01—Hoeffel’s a bit more specific… kind of.

8:02—OK Dan Onorato, this should be your question to knock out of the park, I’m video-taping.

8:04—He was better, but mostly just talked about successes in Allegheny County. Someone tell us precisely what they’re going to do, not what they’ve done.

8:05—Some candidates are wisely passing on the rebuttal time now.

8:06—Next question is “would you continue the school-funding formula and how would you pay for it?” Chris Doherty says yes, “because I think it’s on the right track.” Talks up what Rendell has done, what he’ll continue doing.

8:07—Hoeffel says he’ll also continue it, “it is widely accepted as fair by both parties.” Says the state is “way behind the national average” in funding local school districts. “To fully meet our obligations to public education, we also need significant and progressive tax reform in education.”

8:08—Deep thought: Do Joe Hoeffel and Sam Rohrer agree on the property tax issue?

8:09—Onorato says this is an issue the candidates will probably agree on. He’s talking up the head-start program. “this is many cases is the difference between living a productive life and being in the criminal justice system at age 13 or 14.”

8:10—Wagner talks about a lack of increase of state funding for special education. “That is unacceptable to me.” “I have been one of the strongest advocates … for early childhood education before it was ever provided in state government.

8:11—Looks like, for the most part, the candidates agree on education funding.

8:12—Next question asking about what happens if Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, would you veto legislation criminalizing abortion? They were clapping for Hoeffel even before he said he’d veto it.

8:13—Hoeffel was in his element talking about “protecting the rights of women to make their own judgment.” Lots of applause.

8:14—Onorato quickly and bluntly says he’d veto.

8:15—Wagner: “I am against more abortions.” Also supports exiting law. Doherty would also veto.

8:16—On rebuttal, Hoeffel say “consistency on this issue is very important. I have always been pro-choice. I stand with the women of Pennsylvania and will protect your rights.”

8:18—Next question, do you support the continuation of Pa. liquor store system and if so how would you improve it?

8:19—Onorato says he supports continuing it and “being creative … in allowing the wine and spirits stores to be competitive.”

8:20—Wagner says he’s “been in the trenches on this issue.” Says he wants to retain and expand the system, longer hours, open on Sundays. Let’s toast to that.

8:21—Chris Doherty brings it back to Scranton, talking about the state stores there.

8:22—Hoeffel also supports the system and “keeping it in state hands.” “I still think we could get lower prices if we used our bargaining power as the state buyer a little more effectively.”

8:23—Looks like everyone pretty much agrees on liquor. Alcohol brings people together.

8:24—Next questioner rants about health care… what’s the question? “I’m not here to make the speeches.” OK, his question is what will you do for uninsured in Pennsylvania?

8:25—Wagner talks about the programs he’d expand.

8:26—Doherty says “the best health care program you can have is a jobs program.”

8:27—Hoeffel says “I am really afraid that our colleagues in Washington are about the blow a wonderful opportunity.” Says it started “once those crazy tea-baggers emerged.” The Dems, he says, “fooled around and fooled around and now they’ve lost their 60th vote.” Says “make them filibuster, around the clock.”

8:28—Hoeffel gets applause for single-payer health care. Yea, that’ll pass in Pennsyltucky. Says he’ll appoint a governor’s commission on health care.

8:29—Onorato says “health care still the biggest threat to the middle class.” “there is no competition out there.” “I don’t think that the election in massachusetts was a signal not to deal with this.”

8:31—Next question is from the Women’s Law Project. Asking about how should economic recovery programs increase assistance, will you include meaningful cash assistance increases in first budget, and what other steps will you take?

8:32—Onorato says that when cutting budget stuff, “you don’t start with the safety-net programs.”

8:34—Wagner, Says these programs aren’t properly funded, goes back to his audits.

8:36—Looks like this is another issue where the candidates are mostly on the same page, at least as far as a one-and-a-half minute response allows.

8:38—Next question about reform state corrections system.

8:41—Wagner talks Megan’s Law, Doherty ankle-bracelets and work-release, Hoeffel gets applause for saying “Pennsylvania has too many mandoratory minimum sentences. That has to change.” Onorato talks about reducing recidivism rates.

8:43—It’s not too surprising, but Hoeffel has definitely won the applause contest with this crowd. But hey, it’s his base.

8:45—Next question about decriminalizing marijuana. Chris Doherty says he wouldn’t, but says he’s not an expert. Hoeffel says he’d decriminalize it “only for medicinal purposes.” Onorato says he wouldn’t support decriminalizing. Wagner says “Pennsylvania should move in that direction.” But he wouldn’t decriminalize it, just says he’d “move in the direction” of medical use.

8:47—Question about women and minorities on your current staff and how you’ve mentored them.

8:48—Hoeffel: “My co-manager is a women who actually mentors me.” laughs. Says cabinet will be diverse. Onorato says diversity in his county used to mean “one african american and one woman on a board. those days are over.” now he says it’s really diverse. “I could go through a list of a lot of firsts that happen on my watch.”

8:50—Wagner says “40 percent of the people who work for me are women.” Says he’s promoted more of them than men. Says Pennsylvania’s record on this is awful.

8:52—Doherty ticks off all the women in his campaign/administration. Has seven sisters. “I grew up in a very female-dominated house.”

8:53—Deep thought: Is it just me, or is this diversity question the political version of “some of my best friends are black”?

8:54—Next question on gun control. Onorato says reform needed on child-safety locks and more, a balance between hunting culture and safety. Wagner talks straw purchases. Doherty talks low murder rate in Scranton.

8:58—Next question is about graduated income tax and property tax. Wagner doesn’t get specific on income tax, but wants to address entire tax structure. Doherty and Hoeffel support graduated income tax. Doherty: “If you make more, you should give more.” Onorato talks about how messed up the property tax system has been for him.

9:06—Next question about political contributions, asking if the candidates would set limits on direct contributions. Doherty, Hoeffel and Onorato all say yes. Hoeffel: “The impact of private money in public elections is a corrupting influence.” Wagner also says yes. “We’re living in the dark ages.”

9:11—Next question about how you can beat Tom Corbett. Hoeffel says make it an east-west, liberal-conservative contrast. Onorato says it’s all about the issues. Wagner says he’s won statewide twice, with more votes than Tom Corbett. And Doherty says he’s the only one who’s a mayor, who’s run a town.

9:17—Closing statements now.

9:27—Closing statements were more of what we got. Mike Morrill is wrapping up now.

9:28—OK kids, that’s it for now. You know the usual drill. I’m gonna talk to some candidates, mull around with some folks here, and I’ll post a complete story on this debate later tonight. Thanks for joining us!

January 29, 2010 at 7:29 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

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