Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Democrats play nice in final debate of the primary campaign

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
State House Bureau

LEWISTON -- The Democrats running for governor shied away from direct attacks Thursday night at the final Democratic debate of the primary campaign.

Three of the four candidates tried to promote their government experience while saying that they will bring new ideas to Augusta. The fourth, Rosa Scarcelli of Portland, who has never held elected office, said she is the only Democrat who can bring real change to state government.

After months of being on the road together, the candidates -- Scarcelli, Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, former Attorney General Steve Rowe and former state conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan -- asked each other mostly easy questions.

With Tuesday's election just around the corner, none of the candidates scored major points - or made a major mistake.

The format on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network debate allowed moderator Jennifer Rooks to direct questions to specific candidates and for the candidates to quiz each other.

One of the few back-and-forth exchanges came when Mitchell asked Scarcelli whether her proposal to increase class size would give private school students an unfair educational advantage over public school children.

Scarcelli said she wants to increase class size from an average of nine to 1 to 13-1, which she said would save $400 million.

"Performance is based on the quality of the teacher," she said, not on class size.

But Mitchell, a former teacher, challenged Scarcelli by saying that by using averages, it could mean small high school classes but large elementary school classes.

Mitchell also asked McGowan, a former Baldacci cabinet member, if he was proud of his recent state government service. McGowan has run ads criticizing "career politicians."

"There is a huge frustration amongst people," he said. "People want to see a new approach from the top down in the Legislature."

McGowan emphasized his proposals to reduce the size of the Legislature by one-third, change term limits to increase continuity and reduce the number of bills that are introduced each year.

Rooks asked Rowe whether he would allow an outside commission to investigate police-involved shootings. Rooks said while Rowe was attorney general, his office always found in favor of police.

"Every decision we made was based on the facts in the case," he said.

Rowe also said he would support requiring Maine businesses to provide paid sick days, a proposal Mitchell sponsored in the Legislature. However, Rowe added that he would have tried to find some way to help small businesses pay for it.

Rooks asked Mitchell her administration would be the same as the previous four years of Democratic Gov. John Baldacci.

"I'm very proud of some of the things we've done in Augusta," she said. "If people want four more years of progress, please vote for me."

Rooks asked Scarcelli whether her lack of elected experience would hurt her ability to serve as governor.

Scarcelli said her 18 years in the private sector -- most recently as chief executive of a housing company -- would serve her well as governor.

"I've run one of the largest women-owned businesses in the state of Maine," she said. "I've been recognized as a national leader."

There were light moments too, like when the normally stoic Rowe asked Mitchell if she knew how to "determine the height of an isosceles triangle?"

He quickly added that he was just kidding, and asked Mitchell about her favorite quote.

McGowan threw a softball question at Rowe when he asked whether Rowe and his wife would bring their chickens to Augusta if he becomes governor, and whether they would be free range.

And Scarcelli tried a little humor by asking Rowe who was inside the bear suit -- a reference to one of his campaign commercials.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com