Posted on 10/30/2002 5:39:03 AM PST by NittanyLion
Fisher rebukes Rendell, accusing him of 'whining'
By Tom Infield
Inquirer Staff Writer
Grabbing what might have been his big last chance to come from behind in the governor's race, Republican Mike Fisher attacked Democrat Ed Rendell in their final televised debate last night as a "whiner" who is overly sensitive about his record as former mayor of Philadelphia.
Fisher, accused by Rendell of running the most negative campaign in Pennsylvania political history, appeared to boil with frustration at what he later called Rendell's inability to "take the heat" of a hard-fought election.
"You're the one who is running the negative campaign, and why don't you quit your whining," Fisher said during the live, one-hour debate from the City Avenue studios of WPVI-TV (Channel 6).
"I have pointed out your record; you don't like your record," Fisher told Rendell. "If your record is negative, that is your fault. It's not my fault."
The brief, volatile words came at the close of a mostly civil and thoughtful hour - the last in an extraordinary series of nine TV debates and forums since Sept. 10 that have made Fisher and Rendell perhaps the most widely seen state-level candidates ever in Pennsylvania.
The closing event, one week before Election Day, was simulcast live on several TV stations across the state.
Trailing by 19 percentage points in an independent poll released yesterday by Quinnipiac University, Fisher had little choice but to try to shake things up.
Given a chance by Channel 6 moderator Jim Gardner to ask Rendell any question he wanted, Fisher demanded to know why the Democrat had yet to release his 2001 income tax return.
Rendell, who filed his return at mid-month after asking for two extensions, promised to make public his return tomorrow.
Fisher, who has reported earning $153,000 last year, said he couldn't understand the reason for delay.
"It makes me wonder what there is to hide."
Rendell has released tax returns for previous years. He and his wife, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie Rendell, earned $624,000 in 2000. Included in that was $252,000 that Rendell was paid by the Philadelphia law firm Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll.
State Auditor General Bob Casey Jr., Rendell's opponent in the May Democratic primary, raised questions about the Ballard payment after Rendell admitted doing "almost nothing" for the earnings.
Last night, after the debate, Rendell told reporters he had received $252,000 from Ballard again last year. He said his and his wife's total income had climbed to "800 and some thousand" for the year.
When Rendell got his turn to ask Fisher any question, he harped on what he said was Fisher's refusal to abide by a pledge made last winter to run a positive campaign.
In the spring, he had complained that Casey's campaign was also too negative.
"You have run more negative advertising against me than perhaps even Bob Casey," Rendell said.
Fisher, in reply, pointed out that he, unlike Casey, had never attacked Rendell's truthfulness and honesty. He said he had only compared his own record as state attorney general and a former legislator with Rendell's as mayor. He said that, if anything, it was Rendell's TV and radio ads that had distorted both men's records.
After the camera lights when out, both candidates stood in a hallway and continued the drum beat.
"I don't mind who calls me a liar," Rendell said. "I mind who lies about me."
Fisher said that, when Rendell was mayor, Philadelphia had lost 68,000 jobs - one per hour.
"If his record is negative, that's why the ads would be negative," Fisher said.
For much of the debate, Fisher talked about Rendell, and Rendell talked about Rendell.
At issue was the cost of proposals Rendell had made to provide more state funding for public schools and preschools, as well as loans for business growth.
Fisher said the cost approaches $10 billion. Noting that the state budget is about $20 billion, he said Rendell would be forced to raise taxes.
Rendell replied that Fisher was deliberately distorting his plans, knowing full well that the programs would be phased in over a number of years.
Fisher, for his part, pledged not to raise taxes.
Two third-party candidates, Libertarian Ken Krawchuck and Green Party nominee Michael Morrill, were excluded from the debate. Both barely register in the polls. Morrill and a small band of allies protested the exclusion outside the TV studios.
The Quinnipiac poll, conducted Oct. 17 by the Connecticut university and with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, showed Rendell leading Fisher 54 percent to 35 percent among likely voters. It was in line with a number of independent surveys showing Rendell up by double digits.
The debate was jointly sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Oddly enough, Rendell was the only one who addressed cutting inefficiencies in state government. Fisher says the savings aren't there; Rendell claims he can find $1 billion or so.
My gut feel: Rendell wins this one going away. Regardless of who gets into office, their party faithful will develop ulcers by the end of their tenure.
I think Rendell also has some consulting gigs.
"You're the one who is running the negative campaign, and why don't you quit your whining," Fisher said during the live, one-hour debate from the City Avenue studios of WPVI-TV (Channel 6).Fisher is right. Rendell is a whiner; a hulking, gruff, falsetto-voiced girly-man who whimpers and snivels piteously at the least of provocations, and Fisher only ever provides the very least of provocations. Rendell looks like a bruiser, until he opens his mouth and begins his Mini Mouse impersonation. But Rendell's opponent, Fisher, has all the fire and passion and charisma of a department of motor vehicles clerk.
”Guns Before Butter.”
LOL! I agree on both counts.
Yep, I agree. At least Rendell addressed a way to cut the budget (removing inefficiencies in Harrisburg). Fisher was hesitant even to address the issue.
Don't get me wrong: I don't believe Rendell will accomplish the task he set forth. But if Fisher can't even take a strong stand now, what are the chances he'll cut spending once he's elected?
I'm very disappointed, to say the least.
Republicans are grumbling about Fisher being a lousy campaigner. But, I see more Rendell signs than Fisher signs right here in Republican Delaware County.
The alleged Republican machine in Delco could use a good grease job. Very few people appear to be doing anything for Fisher. The local politicians appear to be taking care of themselves and that's it.
I chatted with State Rep. Steve Barrar, an extremely bright and hard working person at the recent Aston Expo. Barrar told me that he suggested to major GOP Delco leaders that GOP committee women should join the League of Women Voters in Delco--now composed mostly of liberal democrats-- and make their voices heard. He received a lukewarm response. We need conservative leaders who will put imagination and effort into the job.
And it's not just Delco. It is true throughout the state. Our county leaders just are taking care of the locals.
Republicans are grumbling about Fisher being a lousy campaigner. But, I see more Rendell signs than Fisher signs right here in Republican Delaware County.
The alleged Republican machine in Delco could use a good grease job. Very few people appear to be doing anything for Fisher. The local politicians appear to be taking care of themselves and that's it.
I chatted with State Rep. Steve Barrar, an extremely bright and hard working person at the recent Aston Expo. Barrar told me that he suggested to major GOP Delco leaders that GOP committee women should join the League of Women Voters in Delco--now composed mostly of liberal democrats-- and make their voices heard. He received a lukewarm response. We need conservative leaders who will put imagination and effort into the job.
And it's not just Delco. It is true throughout the state. Our county leaders just are taking care of the locals.
There's a reason. Think: union thugs. Here in Democrat Pittsburgh, there's a big Fisher sign in a vacant lot on Negley Ave. I run by there 3 times a week. It was constantly defaced and this Saturday it was torn down.
Fisher can't do this, but he should make a bunch of predictions: Rendell won't find the money to cut from the budget, taxes will increase (incl. property taxes -- trust me, the "reform" will result in higher rates) and Rendell is going to leave a stinking, steaming hole after he leaves. Just like Philadelphia.
I saw them debate in person, and I was impressed by Fisher. Rendell isn't fit to clean Fisher's shoes. (The debate that I attended Democrats had to be brought there in buses from the union hall after they were fed.)
Agreed. Say what you will about Rendell, but the man has charisma. Fisher utterly lacks it; he attempted a couple jokes during his Tuesday debate that made me cringe.
If Fisher was going to overcome that personality gap, he needed to differentiate himself from Rendell. Instead, what I hear is different versions of the same basic plan. Both claim they can balance the budget (which will have to include spending cuts), yet neither has laid out a realistic plan for doing so.
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