Notes on Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Debate currently underway on KDKA in Pittsburgh

Rendell's opening statement was hesitant. He sounded unsure of what he was saying. Lynn Swann's delivery was smooth and effective. He had an excellent line at the end. We can have "Reform", or more "Rhetoric and Rendell?"

On the school shooting in Lancaster County: Rendell talked about measures putting more police on the street and drug dealers. What does putting more police on the street have to do with gun violence in schools? Was the person who shot the school up a drug dealer? A few minutes later Swann pounced on Rendell's answer, noting that his answer had nothing to do with violence in schools.

The Payraise: Swann effectively neutralized Rendell's "Jubelier endorsement" issue. Swann certainly ran away with this issue, one of Rendell's greatest vulnerabilities, one which reveals that Rendell is more rhetoric than reform, and more deeply, his penchant for manipulating reality. Anyone remember "Fast Eddie?"

Property Taxes: Rendell blamed other Governors who didn't lower property taxes. Last I checked, those Governors didn't promise to cut property taxes 30%. Swann pointed out that Rendell is always blaming the legislature, and failing to take responsibility. Rendell refused to admit his 30% promise was a mistake. Instead he attacked Swann's plan. So much for "experience" and "incumbency." Interestingly, Swann's plan became the issue. It says which candidate actually has a plan. Again, Swann ended well.

Transparency and Honesty: Swann hit hard on Rendell's giving Comcast 30 million dollars, and, at the same time, appearing on the Eagles post-game show. Rendell got angry, saying he gave 100% of his income to charity. Swann pounced, noting that he still gets a tax write-off even if it goes to charity. Rendell has a temper, and Swann will hopefully exploit it.

Experience: Jon Delano raised the issue of experience. For those not from Pennsylvania, Delano is one of the "independent analysts" who function as shrills for the Democratic Party. Swann pointed out that he is the one raising the issue, which raised laughs for the audience.

Tax Cuts: Swann made the mistake of interrupting Rendell, which raised laughs from the Democratic audience. But once again, Rendell showed his mean side. Why people find him likable is beyond me. He's quite a distasteful character.

Gambling: Back in 2002, one of Rendell's major issues was bringing gambling to the state. Swann finally retorted to Rendell's, "I'm not a king" line, pointing out that the legislature has acted and Rendell has failed to act.

SATs: Pennsylvania's SAT scores are behind those of the neighboring state. Rendell did a classic Fast Eddie and said that more Pennsylvania seniors take them than across the nation. We're not comparing PA to Mississippi Eddie. We're comparing it to New Jersey. As for Rendell's pledge to hand out laptops, Swann handled it with all the grace ("poetry in motion") he brought to the football field - what good is the computer, he asked, if they can't read?

Closing Argument: Rendell came across as a classic liberal, a rather bizarre move for a debate being held in conservative Southwestern Pennsylvanian. He made the same old pledges he made in 2002 - smaller class size, all-day kindergarden. Rendell was reading off notes too. So much for being the brighter candidate in the race.

Swann came across in his closing statement as a reform conservative. He hit on the issue of doctors leaving the state, a huge issue in Pennsylvania, one not touched upon in the debate.
More later...

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.