Candidates for governor debated today / yesterday in Manchester. As has been the case in previous debates, the discussion often focused on taxes and education. But the debate also featured something different?.Democrat Mark Fernald?s assault on the character of Front-running republican Craig Benson.
That Mark Fernald questioned Craig Benson?s policies, and his knowledge of government processes was nothing new??but his focus on Benson?s truthfulness certainly was. The Sharon attorney asked voters to put Benson?s credibility on the stand, and act as jury. He then pointed out that the citizens charged with doing the same during a 1986 sexual discrimination lawsuit filed against Benson found the high tech entrepreneur less than persuasive.
'Jeanne Scarfo Sued Mr. Benson for sexual discrimination, the jury believed her. Her boss refused to fire her. He was fired, the jury believed him.'
Fernald?s also asked voters to weigh the veracity of Benson?s statements on less grave matters. ?..Such as Craig Benson?s oft-repeated statements about higher education and government efficiency. On the higher Ed front, Fernald said Benson claims that UNH officials rebuffed Cabletron?s attempts to improve its computer curricula in the 1980?s don?t square with the facts.
' I checked with them??FORTRAN has not been a required course sine 1978?.long before Mr. Benson came to the state. And they said he?d did come to them and ask them to offer a course in c++ in the evening so Cabletron people could come and take that course. So they offer the course and only 2 people showed up. So they asked Mr. Benson and he said his workers were too busy.'
Fernald even seized upon Benson comments in regard to state government needing to jettison carbon paper and become more high tech.
'I heard Mr. Benson again say the state is outdated, because we use carbon paper. We checked with administrative services. They haven?t bought carbon paper in years.'
Benson greeted these attacks with equanimity. During the debate, he said democracy was about difference of opinion, but he also pointed out that he didn?t like being railed at. Afterwards, he said Fernald seemed desperate to shift the focus of the election away from what voters really care about.
'We?ve changed the tone of the election. This election?s no more about taxes. It?s about carbon paper.'
Benson also disputed Fernald?s facts.
'All this insider information. I don?t know where he?s getting it. The fact of the matter is this all about taxes. I think he?s trying to change the tone of the election to negatives about me. What ever he wants to do. But the fact of the matter, his income tax message is not selling so he?s going after me.'
For his part, Mark Fernald, says his campaign will continue to stress tax reform. But Fernald also allowed that voters can expect plenty more prosecution of the Benson?s record.
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