Democratic Gubernatorial hopeful Mark Fernald took his campaign to the barrooms of Manchester Tuesday night. He buttonholed happy hour crowds and touted his income tax platform. The Sharon state senator also confessed disappointment in how the media have covered his run against Republican Craig Benson.
Mark Fernald was chipper as he greeted outgoing state employees association president Tim Decker??.and accepted a staffers offer of a pint?? ??..Fernald was also upbeat concerning voters willingness to support his sweeping plans to overhaul the educational funding formula with an income tax.
"What I see is that 70 percent of the people in this state are open to a real plan that will cut property taxes. That?s what I?ve seen in two polls and Franklin pierce did polling in the past where they found even a greater percentage willing to consider that kind of change."
Fernald, however, was less rosy when asked to consider how his polls about taxes and school funding don?t seem to jibe with any recent election polls, most those show him lagging behind half-billionaire Craig Benson by at least ten points. Fernald attributes that gulf to lack of information.
"Voters are looking for information. That?s my job as a candidate. I also think it?s the media?s job, to provide information and also to be an honest broker, when competing claims come in. I mean Benson has made some ridiculous claims, some fantastic claims and nobody has called him on them. And that?s frustrating."
In particular Fernald complains that the press has insufficiently challenged the veracity of Craig Benson?s statements on several subjects?..ranging from the state?s use of carbon paper??to the then -Cabletron CEO?s alleged offer to expand the university?s computer science curriculum?.But what Fernald, finds most galling, is what he believes is an underreporting of flaws in Craig Benson?s budget plan. Specifically, it?s assumption that a despite a slumping economy, state revenues will continue to grow by five percent. That projection has been questioned by the legislative budget assistant ?.
"You know you read some of the stories and the press sort of boil em down to well he says that and he says that and the other guy says that and will leave you to judge. Where I think it would be very appropriate for the press to say we talked to the legislative budget assistant and he says revenues aren?t going to grow by five percent. And Benson has a false projection that?s going to lead to a deficit. That would have been a good straightforward story to run, and I haven?t heard it from anyone including New Hampshire Public Radio."
Those words may sound a lot more like a losing candidate looking backwards rather than a contender about launch a final push. But Fernald didn?t seem to let his dissatisfaction with the fourth estate deter him from working the crowded barroom in a tireless, if not always successful manner.
Fernald and drinkers bite
While most in the bar applauded Fernald?s efforts many shared the sentiments of Bedford contractor George Kolata, who after speaking for 5 minute with Fernald said he gave him an a for effort?..He then offered this verdict on the possibility of enacting any new broad based taxes ?
"Income tax, sales tax. Cut our arms off first. No way. I think that would ruin out state."
Fernald, however, did find some receptive ears. Susan Caldwell, a Manchester nursing home worker said she?s been around too long to harbor any illusions that an income tax platform can any candidate to the governor?s office?..but Caldwell says she remains undeterred.
"I?m someone who has worked at the grassroots level for many a candidate, many of whom have lost. But at least Mark Fernald has a plan to provide solutions, but to also raise the revenue necessary to do it. And he has the courage to ask NH citizens to provide that revenue. And there are a surprising number of citizens who are willing to do it. I?m willing."
Election day is on Tuesday.
