Last night, CA Republican gubernatorial candidates, Steve Poizner and Tom Campbell, eschewed Game 1 of the World Series to debate the issues.
Here's the key difference in the candidates' platforms: Poizner is calling for sweeping tax cuts (10% on state sales taxes, corporation taxes, and personal income taxes) to revive the economy, while Campbell thinks the problem right now is spending, and is proposing more draconian measures.
Essentially, each of them is stressing different parts of conservatism.
To underscore the divide, Poziner has signed Grover Norquist's anti-tax pledge, while Campbell -- who's often seen as the most fiscally-conservative candidate the race -- refused to sign the pledge. Pretty bold non-move in a Republican primary.
You can read reports on the debate here,
Orange County political blog, Orange Juice, on the night's highlight.
Campbell has ideas including getting rid of the Department of Education – and the Department of Insurance. That last idea cracked up the crowd – but I don’t think Poizner, who is the State Insurance Commissioner, found it very funny.
The front-running (pdf) Republican in the race, Meg Whitman, chose not to participate in the debate, claiming it was a ploy by Poizner to get attention.
"Sacramento politicians who are struggling to get traction, like Steve Poizner, try and make issues out of debates a year before the election.
Meg's not a Sacramento politician and she's not desperate for attention."
Well... yeah, of course, the candidates want attention. You don't debate in your prayer closet. You discuss with audiences.
