What they are saying about the first GOP gubernatorial debate

What They Are Saying About Poizner’s Strong Debate Performance:

San Francisco Chronicle‘s Carla Marinucci: “[Poizner] Came Out Swinging.” “State Insurance Commissioner Poizner – aiming to seize the conservative mantle from the opening bell – came out swinging, comparing Whitman’s proposals to those of Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Attorney General Jerry Brown while accusing her of ‘nasty,’ inaccurate attacks.” (Carla Marinucci, “Poizner, Whitman: GOP Candidates’ First Debate,” San Francisco Chronicle, 3/16/10)

• Marinucci: “[Poizner] didn’t shy from repeatedly attacking Whitman’s proposals as too vague and too liberal.” (Carla Marinucci, “Poizner, Whitman: GOP Candidates’ First Debate,” San Francisco Chronicle, 3/16/10)

Los Angeles Times‘ Cathleen Decker: “Poizner Was The More Pointed In Drawing A Contrast Between The Two Major Republicans In The Race.” “But by and large, Poizner was the more pointed in drawing a contrast between the two major Republicans in the race. He even offered an oblique criticism of Whitman’s media preferences after she offered an anecdote about an interview she had heard on National Public Radio.” (Cathleen Decker, “Poizner, Whitman Cover Familiar Territory In Debate,” Los Angeles Times, 3/16/10)

FlashReport’s Jon Fleischman: “Poizner did well during the debate, and actually would argue based on my scoring of the responses and statements made during the debate rather methodically, that he outperformed Whitman, though not by much.” (Jon Fleischman, “The First GOP Gubernatorial Debate (Video & Commentary),” FlashReport Blog, www.flashreport.org, 3/16/10)

The Orange County Register‘s Mark Landbaum: “One point he makes she can’t: He’s actually reduced a government department – the one he runs – by 16 percent. That’s a bird in the hand.” (Mark Landbaum, “Whitman-Poizner Sum Up,” The Orange County Register‘s “Orange Punch” Blog, orangepunch.freedomblogging.com, 3/15/10)

New West Notes’ Bill Bradley: “Whitman nearly knocked herself out, however. First when she didn’t know how to use her microphone. Again when she nearly knocked the water over. Her expected case of nerves led to some serious clumsiness on the Republican frontrunner’s part. In contrast, Poizner was much more relaxed. He zinged her as a liberal masquerading as a conservative.” (Bill Bradley, “California 2010: The Great Debate! That Wasn’t!” New West Notes Blog, www.newwestnotes.com, 3/16/10)

What They Are Saying About The Key Differences Between The Candidates At The Debate:

The Associated Press Headline: “Calif. GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Spar Over Taxes.” (Juliet Williams, “Calif. GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Spar Over Taxes,” The Associated Press, 3/15/10)

• Poizner Noted That “Whitman’s Targeted Tax Cuts Would Not Go Far Enough And Allow Lawmakers In The State Capitol To Pick Which Industries And People Benefit Most.” “Poizner is pushing a plan that would cut income, sales and corporate taxes by 10 percent. He said Whitman’s targeted tax cuts would not go far enough and allow lawmakers in the state Capitol to pick which industries and people benefit most.” (Juliet Williams, “Calif. GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Spar Over Taxes,” The Associated Press, 3/15/10)

The San Diego Union-Tribune‘s John Marelius: “[S]teve Poizner And Meg Whitman Clashed Over Tax Cuts…” “In the first debate of the 2010 campaign for governor, Republicans Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman clashed over tax cuts, global warming, immigration and abortion but outlined some broad areas of agreement on other issues.” (John Marelius, “No Surprises In First Governor Debate,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/15/10)

• “Poizner Outlined What He Calls His ’10-10-10 Plan’ — A 10 Percent Across-The-Board Tax Cut, 10 Percent Spending Cut And 10 Percent Budgetary Reserve Fund. He Dismissed Whitman’s Call For Targeted Tax Cuts As Inadequate…” (John Marelius, “No Surprises In First Governor Debate,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/15/10)

Sacramento Bee‘s Jack Chang: “In the biggest difference, she [Whitman] called for targeted tax cuts, while Poizner proposed slashing all sales, income and corporate taxes by 10 percent.” (Jack Chang, “GOP Hopefuls Spar Over Immigration, Climate Change,” Sacramento Bee, 3/16/10)

The Orange County Register Headline: “GOP Governor Candidates Show Differences At Debate.” (Martin Wisckol, “GOP Governor Candidates Show Differences At Debate,” The Orange County Register, 3/16/10)

• The Orange County Register‘s Martin Wisckol: “Beside taxes, the biggest policy difference on display at the debate was immigration, with Poizner calling for an end to all public funding for illegal immigrants.” (Martin Wisckol, “GOP Governor Candidates Show Differences At Debate,” The Orange County Register, 3/16/10)

• Poizner Demonstrated Major Differences With Whitman Over Tax Policy, Pushing For Sweeping Tax Cuts. “[T]he two top Republican candidates for governor clearly distinguished themselves from one another at their first debate, held Monday at the Samueli Theater. State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner touted a plan for sweeping tax cuts as the centerpiece of the ‘massive overhaul’ he’s proposing for the state. He wants to trim sales, income and corporate taxes by 10 percent, saying that will generate income for the state by making it more attractive for employers and consumers.” (Martin Wisckol, “GOP Governor Candidates Show Differences At Debate,” The Orange County Register, 3/16/10)

Los Angeles Times‘ Michael Rothfeld: “On taxes, she would impose targeted cuts and he’d cut them across the board.” (Michael Rothfeld, “Poizner And Whitman Declare Victory, And The Debate Continues,” Los Angeles Times‘ “Political” Blog, latimesblogs.latimes.com, 3/15/10)

San Bernardino Sun‘s Rebecca Kimitch: “Though they exchanged periodic jabs, the debate largely focused on policy, on which they differ largely on degree.” (Rebecca Kimitch, “GOP Candidates Poizner, Whitman Face Off On Issues,” San Bernardino Sun, 3/15/10)

• “Poizner Jabbed Whitman, Saying He Didn’t Want To Pick And Choose Who Gets Cuts, But Rather Give Them Across The Board.” (Rebecca Kimitch, “GOP Candidates Poizner, Whitman Face Off On Issues,” San Bernardino Sun, 3/15/10)
• “Poizner Took Things A Bit Further [On Immigration]. He Said All Taxpayer Funded Benefits To Undocumented Immigrants Need To Be Ended. ‘We Have To Turn The Magnets Off,’ He Said.” (Rebecca Kimitch, “GOP Candidates Poizner, Whitman Face Off On Issues,” San Bernardino Sun, 3/15/10)

FlashReport’s Jon Fleischman: “Whitman’s endorsement and support of Barbara Boxer is brought up. Frankly, there is NO EXCUSE for doing that. Period.” (Jon Fleischman, FlashReport’s Twitter Feed, twitter.com, 3/15/10)

KNTV’s Vicky Nguyen: “Poizner paints Whitman as a third-term of the current gov.” (KNTV’s “News,” 3/15/10)

KFSN’s Amanda Perez: “For the first time, the Republican gubernatorial candidates met to outline what sets them apart and how they plan to fix California’s ailing economy. One major difference—how to create jobs and cut taxes.” (KFSN’s “News,” 3/15/10)

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Steve Poizner for Governor