Covering very little new ground over previous debates, Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Republican challenger Ron Saxton continued to slam one another over well-traveled territory in the third of four debates during the gubernatorial campaign yesterday.
Taking many opportunities to point out how the other was dead wrong and often lying, the two added few additional issues to those already discussed in the first two debates.
Saxton’s theme of the evening was “We can do better." Reviewing a list of what he said were Kulongoski’s shortcomings over the last four years, Saxton said that voters need to vote for him if they feel let down by the governor’s performance.
Saxton defended how he ran his controversial cherry farm, which an Oregonian story recently stated might have employed illegal immigrants. “There’s been zero evidence of wrongdoing on my part in this. This is all just an effort to avoid talking about the election," he said.
He repeated his intent to make government more efficient through privatization and a commitment to no new taxes.
Kulongoski insisted that Saxton is out to support big business, instead of looking out for middle-class citizens. He said he is the one looking out for citizens needing family-wage jobs.
Kulongoski said he wants to find ways to reinvest the revenue that Oregon is producing.
Audience members said that Kulongoski seemed tired and anxious. “On the Saxton side we have an energized man with a vision. On the Kulongoski side we have a man who has had a chance at the job, and is showing age in office and a tired demeanor," said Jim Parker, a Portland business owner and Saxton supporter.
”Saxton shows a fundamental understanding that if you continue to raise taxes, you’re going to wind up driving businesses out of the state and the tax base diminishes away, and I don’t think that the governor understands that," Parker said.
Some Kulongoski supporters said that Saxton has not answered some of the most important questions.
”I’d love to hear Saxton’s position on trade – I bet it is probably the same as George Bush’s but he doesn’t have the courage to address it," said Tom Chamberlain, president of the AFL-CIO. “I’m really concerned about higher education – what’s Saxton’s plan for lowering tuition for college students?"
Chamberlain was in charge of a group of Kulongoski supporters picketing outside of the studio. Over 20 picketers held signs that said: “Ron Saxton has his priorities backwards" and “Ted is on our side."
”All I’ve heard from Saxton is how to do more with less. I’ve been living in Oregon all my life and that doesn’t really equate to the needs of seniors, kids and families – the people of Oregon," Chamberlain said.
The final debate will be in southern Oregon on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on KOBI Channel 5 in Medford and KLSR Channel 34 in Eugene.