WCAX: Live Gubernatorial Debate
It's a crisp October night in Vermont, and while you wait for Gov. Sarah Palin to grace the set of Saturday Night Live there is another political show to watch: The live gubernatorial debate between three of the gubernatorial candidates: Incumbent Republican Jim Douglas, Democratic House Speaker Gaye Symington, and Independent Anthony Pollina.
You can watch on WCAX tonight live, and it will loaded on their website tomorrow. They sought, and received, questions from viewers over the past week. About nine of those viewers' questions will be asked tonight.
I'll be posting throughout the night as events warrant. Of course, if you're tuning in you probably don't need my running commentary, right? Well, you'll get some anyway.
In recent days, Pollina has challenged Douglas to a one-on-one debate given the recent Rasmussen poll results which showed the former Prog in second place. Symington meanwhile has been hitting Douglas hard in recent weeks for being too protective of Vermont Yankee's corporate owners, Entergy, and letting Vermont's roads and bridges deteriorate and not drawing down needed federal transportation funds.
For his part, Douglas has largely been trekking the state pushing his economic plan. His campaign ads have largely targeted Symington, criticizing her economic plans as being bad for Vermont. A new ad mashes together a snippet of a radio interview where it appears as if the outgoing House Speaker is disdainful of Vermont workers.
With new wind Pollina's sails — the aforementioned poll and the recent federal court ruling that says he can keep all that extra dough he raised this year — it'll be interesting to see if Pollina focuses more on Douglas, or tries to once again lump the pair together as "what's wrong" in Montpelier.
Will Douglas go on the offensive as he has in recent days in campaign ads against Symington? Will he focus more on Pollina who has been better able to get under the gov's skin at debates?
Will Symington continue to focus on Douglas or will she push back against Pollina who may be surging of late and siphoning off some of her votes.
And, will the debate be as interesting without Peter Diamondstone? Or, without any of the so-called "minor" candidates?
Marselis Parsons is asking the audience to hold their applause in between questions and answers - just like the presidential debates.
I'll post updates right to each post as we go ...
* * * * UPDATE 9 PM * * * *
All the candidates are here, audio is good and the riot at Rutland prison is contained ...
* * * * UPDATE 9:05 PM * * * *
Marselis Parsons and Kristin Kelly open it up ... Marselis introduces Pollina as a "progressive now independent"
The first question is on the economy:
As governor what will you cut in next year's budget and protect the most vulnerable citizens?
Gov. Douglas goes first: Says he would do more across-the-board cuts as he's doing now in working with the legislative Joint Fiscal Committee rather than deeply gouge any one program.
Symington: Would look to cut PR staff, and not cost shift to the property tax as has happened under Douglas' budget. Wants to have an "upfront" discussion with Vermonters about the budget and make sure it's truly balanced.
Pollina: Not do what Montpelier is doing now, which is making hard times for Vermonters even harder. Look at cut middle management and not frontline workers, and ask state workers how to make government more efficient.
* * * * UPDATE 9:15 PM * * * *
No surprise, the most questions received by WCAX were on the economy. First viewer question is about the economy, and what will be done to help rural Vermont: "There are two Vermonts, Chittenden County and the rest of Vermont."
Douglas goes first on this one, and largely lays out a litany of his proposals that the Democratic-led Legislature has either rejected or watered down - neighborhoods bill, scholarships, Act 250 reform. He also touts his new "First 100 days" plan unveiled in recent days.
Symington says Douglas' economic growth ideas fall short and are often underfunded. She focuses her economic plan on developing a vibrant energy economy. Not very clear what that is ... or what Douglas hasn't done.
Pollina: This is not really about what these folks have been saying, or not saying, to each other over the past six years, and now saying on the campaign trail. Touts his record of working with rural Vermonters on economic development and grassroots organizing.
* * * * UPDATED 9:25 PM * * * *
Next question is on property tax reform - what will you do about it?
Symington: Focuses mostly on what to do to keep taxes low such as addressing the cost drivers — health care and energy costs.
Douglas: Touts his property tax cap that the Leg rejected, and the two-vote rule.
Pollina: Thinks too often schools are being trashed (verbally) by pols who are interested in scoring points.
Next on to health care:
Pollina: We don't need insurance companies, we need health care. Talks about his self-insurance pool. We need a systematic approach to funding health care. Catamount is a delay to real health care reform.
Symington: We need to move our system to more of a health care system on wellness and not just excerise and eating right. Need to partner with Pres. Obama to reform Medicaid and Medicare rules.
Douglas: He's been doing what Symington says should happen in his leadership role in the National Governor's Association. Catamount has insured 11,000 more Vermonters, now time to lower cost for the rest of us.
* * * UPDATED 9:30 PM * * *
Vermont Yankee - should it close? How to keep energy prices from rising?
Douglas: VY is part of the reason Vermont rates are low, but it has to be safe and he hopes a new legislative panel will provide some insight. Believes pursuing Hydro Quebec will also be fruitful.
Pollina: Doesn't believe if VY does close Vermont power will not rise, and even with relicensure there is no guarantee that rates will stay low. Needs more investment in renewables, more deals with HydroQuebec, and more in efficiency.
Symington: I'll negotiate for Vermonters no matter what. Won't let Vermonters be forced to foot the bill to clean up after VY. Douglas has been stepping in the way of VY review, and wants to focus more on renewables, and a post-VY energy portfolio.
Next up ... roads!
* * * * UPDATED 9:35 PM * * *
How to fix up Vermont roads? And will you stop raiding the transportation fund?
Symington: Says more needs to be done to plan and review more bonding options - says Douglas has been late to the table during the budget talks. Re-raises her claim that Vermont has only used 30 percent of the $140 million federal funds it has access to.
Douglas: Absolutely and utterly false, the gov says of the speaker's claim. Reporters tried to back up her assertions and they can't. Touts his "road to affordability" and says he has been stopping the raid on the t-fund.
Pollina: Says he will put an end to the political bickering in Montpelier on this issue, and points to his plan earlier this year to jumpstart road construction by $75 million. Won't raid the transportation fund.
* * * * UPDATED 9:45 PM * * * *
Debate continues to slog along ... higher ed is the next question.
Douglas touts his Next Generation plan.
Symington touts her Bridge to Opportunity.
Pollina says Vermont's colleges are the most expensive because, well, we give them the least money of any state.
What will you do immediately to receive care in a clean and safe facility?
Symington: We are all horrified and millions of dollars lost forgone ... Says he's led the Leg to take a step back with all of the studies and plans and see what really are the needs of folks who suffer from mental illness.
Pollina: Another example of ending gridlock. Not moving ahead on VSH. We've lost $30 million thanks to Douglas admin and Legislature - which is enough to build a new state hospital. Can't keep isolating mental health care from health care.
Douglas: He makes it sounds easy, but it's not. The care there is better than it was seven years ago despite what some federal folks say. The administration is working on developing subacute facilities and working with local hospitals.
OBSERVATION: According to the VSH Futures plan, signed off on in 2004, this fall was supposed to be when a NEW Vermont State Hospital was to open. Accountability anyone?
* * * * UPDATED 9:55 PM * * * *
The debate is over ... small crowd. Only about 100 people (a third of what is possible at the Williston Central School).
Final Thoughts: Once again Douglas and Pollina prove themselves as solid debaters — there's a reason the governor is still governor. He's been doing this for 30 years and doing it well.
Douglas pushed back on several of Symington and Pollina's claims, while at the same time advancing many of the ideas the legislature has rejected in recent years.
Symington used much of her time to point out what the Legislature has done to keep Douglas in check, or where he's let them down.
Pollina used the opportunity of Symington's attacks on Douglas (and Douglas' retorts) to point out that he will put an end to "bickering" in Montpelier — laying out why he was endorsed by state employees, teachers, Abenaki, labor leaders, and ... gun owners? Yep.
All in all, not that fiesty of a debate. No game-changers.
But, hey, the Sox are up 2-1 in Game 6. Fingers crossed.
Having no access to a television, I appreciate the report you posted concerning the debate Shay. Thank you. Am looking forward to watching the video of it online once they have it posted it up.
Posted by: mwb | October 19, 2008 at 08:18 AM
The video of the WCAX Gubernatorial Debate has been posted online.
Posted by: mwb | October 19, 2008 at 08:28 AM