By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-928450.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI –
The Republican and Democratic candidates for governor faced off in their first and only debate last night in Wixom.
The debate started out with a spirited exchange about job creation.
AUDIO:
The candidates mostly stuck to the themes that have characterized their campaigns.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is the Democratic nominee. He says he knows how to use government to create jobs.
"We need somebody who's going to create jobs here in Michigan," Bernero says. "That's my track record. That's what I've done and what we need to be doing, is growing our economy for Michigan, putting Michigan people to work. That's what I've done - I know we can compete because we're doing it. And we're competing using economic incentives. My opponent is against using economic incentives. I say we have to use every tool in the toolbox. We can't afford to be hamstrung, to tie our hands behind our back when we're in a global economy, we're in a battle for our future, we've got to use every tool available."
"I have to give Virg credit," says Republican nominee Rick Snyder. "I mean he's a great talker in terms of he gets several points in for every one I have a chance to respond to because of speed. That doesn't mean there's substance there."
When asked if he could really live up to his "one tough nerd" campaign slogan as governor, Synder said:
"I'm proud of my track record. As a successful businessperson you need to learn how to deal with people, both in terms of dealing with customers, suppliers, all those kinds of situations. I've been very successful at working through those."
Bernero was the aggressor through much of the debate. He took many opportunities to challenge Snyder's record as an executive at Gateway Computers and later as a venture capitalist. That includes the charge of shipping jobs to China.
"I'm fighting for my people, I'm fighting for residents of the state. He's fighting for his own pocketbook," Bernero said.
Bernero then turned to Snyder:
"You want to play this shell game that you were CEO or COO or on the board, the point is you were in a position of responsibility. Why didn't you exercise that responsibility? Why didn't you fight the outsourcing?"
"He's being very consistent at least," responded Snyder. "I think if he says it enough times it will become true. I mean these allegations are just untrue, which is why I talked about the Michigan Truth Squad, and such."
The "Truth Squad" Snyder is referring to is an independent group that released a report showing that ad campaigns running against both Snyder and Bernero include false allegations.
But Bernero stands by the statement that Snyder outsourced jobs to China. In response, Snyder's camp released a letter stating that one of his companies did create four jobs in China. The letter from that company's president also maintains those sales and marketing positions helped create more jobs in the U.S.
Bernero turned the heat up on Snyder's policy and hiring choices as well.
"One of the guys who authored the Michigan Business Tax that he wants to eliminate is Brian Calley, his (choice for) lieutenant governor," says Bernero. "So I guess if you don't want Dumb and Dumber, you better not vote for the Republican ticket."
"Same old politics. Attack dog, Washington D.C.-style attacks, and people have had enough of that," says state representative Brian Calley. "The class warfare, the east versus west, the urban versus rural, all that garbage, it needs to be put behind us so we can actually focus on solutions."
Bernero's pick for lieutenant governor, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, says her running mate is the candidate to unify Michigan.
"He truly represents the voice of the people," Lawrence says.
And she thinks people who watched the debate would favor Bernero.
"They saw his passion, they saw that he actually has a plan, he has experience of dealing with these issues, that he's going to bring forward, and I think it was a good debate. It was a good debate," Lawrence says.
Bernero says he would like to have more debates. Snyder says he's satisfied with one.
Bernero trails in every poll by double digits, but he says he will defy expectations come election day.
"I mean I appreciate pollsters, and pundits, and prognosticators, but the folks that count are the people. They're the ones that are going to determine this election, just like in the primary," Bernero says.
Both Snyder and Bernero were considered underdogs in their primary elections. Now, with the debate over, one of them will be elected governor in just a few weeks.
Election 2010 - WKAR
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