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Brown, Whitman Hostile During Final Gubernatorial Debate

Andria Kowalchik |
October 12, 2010 | 3:02 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

The Race for California
The Race for California
Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman traded barbs and deflected attacks in the third and final debate for governor. 

The debate, held at Dominican University in San Rafael and moderated by former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw, served as the last chance for the candidates to appeal to undecided and independent voters.

Brown and Whitman were strong delivering their messages and the differences in their stances created tension throughout the evening.   

Neither candidate seemed to look in the other's direction until the debate was 15 minutes in. The conversation shifted to capital gains tax cuts, to which Whitman touted her plan. She said "it's a tax on jobs, it's a tax on job creators, and it's a tax on investments." 

Then Brown turned to Whitman and asked, "How much money will you save" under such a plan. 

Experts said Brown needed to continue connecting with voters. His off-the-cuff style of debate has made him seem more knowledgeable and charming, something he accomplished early on in this debate. He stumbled, however, when Brokaw asked about the "whore" comment.

Brown had gotten his own share of bad press last week after a private conversation was released, in which a campaign staffer calls Whitman a “whore.” The recording was an apparent reference to Whitman’s move to exempt law-enforcement unions from her pension-reform plans in an effort to win their endorsement

Whitman pounced on the question, going on the attack and seeming comfortable for the first time. She did not accept his apology, saying, "It's not just me, but the people of California who deserve better than slurs." 

Brokaw also brought up Whitman's spending, asking if she has ever used her fortune to benefit California before now. She dogged the question, instead saying spending her own money will free her of ties to special interests, unlike Jerry Brown and the public employees' unions.  

Despite spending a record $170 million on her campaign, $140 million of which she personally contributed, Whitman still trails Brown in the polls by about five percentage points. About 20 percent of voters remain undecided.

Brown and Whitman also needed to avoid controversy, as both campaigns were rocked with scandals in recent weeks. Whitman has faced accusations of knowingly employing undocumented immigrant Nicky Diaz Santillan as her housekeeper for nine years. Critics have called it hypocrisy because of Whitman’s tough stance on immigration.

Brown said he wanted to move past it, but added Whitman "could have gotten her a lawyer" instead of firing her after nine years.  

Both candidates have attempted to capitalize on each other’s misfortune. Brown has pointed out Whitman’s hypocrisy while questioning her character over the treatment of Diaz. Meg Whitman has tried to use the staffer’s remark to enrage women and drive them towards her campaign in solidarity. Brown currently leads Whitman among women voters.

 

Reach reporter Andria Kowalchik here.

Reach executive producer Paresh Dave here.

Find him on Twitter: @peard33.



 

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