PotShot

Debate hints at the lives of candidates for governor
MICHAEL GORMLEY | Newsday.com | July 30, 2006

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Last week's debate between the Democratic candidates for governor gave voters a glimpse of how Eliot Spitzer and Tom Suozzi drive, shop for groceries, and relax in addition to their positions on state and national issues.

The "lightning round" of questions restricted to "yes" or "no" answers at Manhattan's Pace University drew some of the strongest crowd reactions:

_Spitzer said he wasn't interested in becoming president; Suozzi said he is. Later, Suozzi said he didn't believe Spitzer _ "Every politician wants to be president!"

_Suozzi said the state shouldn't provide a tax rebate to residents because of high gasoline prices; Spitzer said the state should.

_Spitzer said he has an iPod; Suozzi doesn't. Then Suozzi added, "I use my daughter's!" when it was clear from the crowd that he made a techie faux pas.

_Suozzi said he supports legalizing marijuana for medical use; Spitzer said he doesn't.

_Spitzer said he has, in the last month, shopped for groceries in a supermarket; Suozzi said he hadn't.

_Suozzi said he has never voted for a Republican; Spitzer said he has. Earlier, Spitzer referred to Republican New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as friend and a wonderful mayor.

_Spitzer said private schools "overall" are better than public schools; Suozzi said they aren't.

_Spitzer supports use of eminent domain to buy private land to make way for the NBA's Nets to play in Brooklyn; Suozzi doesn't.

Both Democrats say:

_They have smoked marijuana. No one in the crowd seemed alarmed, or interested.

_They have driven over the speed limit.

_They would live in the Governor's Mansion in Albany at least part of the time.

_They think Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for president.

_They have gambled in casinos.

_They think cell phones should be allowed in schools.

_They want to close the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

Neither candidate thinks the Bush administration should set a time table for withdrawal of troops from Iraq and neither would require parental notification for a girl seeking abortion.

The so-called lightening round in Tuesday's governor's race debate was tough for both candidates. Most politicians aren't accustomed to restricting themselves to "yes" or "no" answers. It was especially difficult for Eliot Spitzer and Tom Suozzi who, more than most politicians, are policy wonks who revel in the issues.

When moderator Dominic Carter asked, "Can you achieve universal health care in the state?"

Suozzi was stuck. He turned to a playful charm that often works well: "I can't say, `I'll try?"' he said to laughs.

Carter would have none of it.

More pausing by Suozzi.

"You want a lifeline?" Spitzer asked Suozzi, and the crowd erupted again.

For the record, Spitzer said he would achieve universal health care.

Suozzi shot back: "That answer is $10 billion."
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WHERE'S THE NOTEBOOK?

The low points of Tuesday's debate included bickering between Suozzi and Spitzer after Suozzi tried to keep a notebook on his podium in violation of the rules _ and Spitzer called him on it.

On Thursday, Suozzi sought to entice reporters to a press conference with an announcement that promised: "Suozzi holds press conference to release `debate book' ... Suozzi will hold a press conference in Albany to share the contents of his debate book."

But Suozzi didn't have the notebook and didn't plan to "share" anything in it. He then promised to provide the notebook. So did an aide. Neither did.