Contrasts clear at debate for governor
BYLINE: Daniel Scarpinato, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
Oct. 11--In their opening statements at a Tuesday night forum, Gov. Janet Napolitano and challenger Len Munsil both said they were committed to families.
But as the night unfolded it was clear the two candidates for Arizona governor had different ideas of exactly what that meant.
On education, taxes, immigration and population growth, Dem-ocrat Napolitano, Republican Munsil and Libertarian Barry Hess showed a clear contrast.
"On issue after issue, we're worse off than we were four years ago," said Munsil, a former lobbyist. "It is time for a change in Arizona. We can do better."
Touting what she saw as her successes in job growth and education improvements, Napolitano said: "This is the fight I've been undertaking. This is the fight I want to continue."
Held at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center in front of a crowd of more than 700 people -- many college students -- the discussion often centered on education.
Napolitano said there is a consensus that Arizonans want "not a good but a great education system." She often talked about the need for "rigor" in the lower grades to prepare students for high school and college.
Asked about Arizona's high dropout rate, Napolitano said the issue isn't just graduating students. "The question is, how do you get more students to go to college and graduate?" she said.
Munsil said that to improve Arizona's education system, it's important to expand school choice, rather than just putting more money into "the old system."
He said Arizona's high dropout rate is tied, in part, to the influx of illegal entrants and their children into the state.
Hess criticized the public-education system, saying, "Janet will tell you she wants to invest in education, but it's like investing in Enron at this point."
Often speaking in generalities, the candidates outlined differing views of the role of government.
"We want government to leave us alone," Hess said of Arizonans.
"All too often politicians don't know when to say, 'It's none of my business,' " he said. But he also suggested at one point that the state provide citizens with laptop computers.
Polling in Arizona's gubernatorial race has shown Munsil trailing significantly, with Napolitano carrying a double-digit lead. She was elected narrowly in 2002. Munsil pulled off a surprise in the Republican primary, winning by a comfortable margin despite being behind in polling.
Munsil criticized Napolitano throughout the evening, saying the state has experienced economic growth "because we have ignored her ideas."
But Napolitano defended her record. She said that while taxes have been cut, money also been invested, resulting in projects like the University of Arizona medical school in Phoenix.
"Our tax system is low and extremely competitive," she said.
On tax cuts, Munsil said, "The governor fought it at every opportunity," and he criticized her for wanting to grow government.
"My vision ... is empowering individuals, family and charities," Munsil said. "Government might be able to put food on the table, but it can't put hope in the heart."
Napolitano repeatedly described herself as a fighter, saying there aren't many defenders of things like education and health care in the Legislature.
There was hardly any discussion of social issues, the defining aspect of Munsil's career as head of a Phoenix-area public-policy institute that lobbies for conservative family issues.
And though Munsil addressed the impact illegal immigration on crime, schools and social services, Hess and Napolitano placed relatively little emphasis on border security.
ELECTION 2006
--Contact reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 807-7789 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.
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