Both candidates pivoted quickly to their preferred talking points, and each took numerous opportunities to poke at each other. At times, they even talked over each other at some length, each seeking to get in the last word.
Hallquist repeatedly characterized Scott’s first term as a repeated “failure of leadership” and accused him of lacking a long-term vision. The governor, meanwhile, strongly defended his record, criticized Hallquist for going negative and repeatedly called for civility in political life.
In her opening statement, Hallquist immediately went on the offensive, contrasting what she sees as Scott’s shortcomings with her own positive “vision for the future.” Scott referred, as he always does, to the three founding principles of his administration: growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable and protecting the state’s most vulnerable.
Scott, unbidden by a question, brought up the recent downgrade of Vermont’s bond rating by Moody’s Investors Service and put the blame on the state’s unfunded pension liability. Hallquist turned the tables. “I see a person not taking responsibility for leadership,” she said. “A leader is responsible for the credit rating.”
Scott, in turn, blamed Democratic lawmakers who “brought us to the point we’re at today.”
“You’re the leader,” Hallquist replied. “Take responsibility.”
Both candidates called for reducing public school costs, but they had very different solutions. Scott has pursued initiatives aimed at forcing school districts to rein in spending and again referred to broadening priorities for education spending.
“We have to invest more in early childhood and post-secondary education,” he said, noting that 90 percent of education spending pays for K-12 schools. (He did not mention that the bulk of those dollars are raised through property taxes for the express purpose of funding K-12.)
Hallquist asserted that a “collaborative” approach with local school leaders is better than “dictating from above.”
Just before the halfway point of the debate, Scott and Hallquist got into an argument over which of them was fomenting fear and division. Hallquist pointed to “negative attacks by the Republican Governors Association and Phil.” The RGA has recently paid for statewide mailings and TV ads labeling Hallquist as a tax-and-spender.
The two engaged in some undecipherable crosstalk, which led into the only commercial break of the debate.
Afterward, both candidates were asked what they most and least admired about President Donald Trump. “I don’t appreciate his style,” said Scott. “Leaders should unite, not divide.” As for what he appreciates, Scott said, “I’ll think about it and get back to you.”
Hallquist had no qualms about the question. “There is nothing to admire,” she said. “He has serious psychological issues. I’m ashamed that the national Republican Party hasn’t done anything about him.”
Hallquist, a transgender woman, then referred to the Trump administration’s plan to redefine gender based solely on a person’s anatomy at birth and noted that, “He wants to eradicate my community. I’m very afraid about the future of our country.”
When asked about racism in Vermont, Scott acknowledged it’s a real issue. “We’d like to think we’re insulated, but we’re not,” he said, referring to former state representative Kiah Morris’ decision to resign in the face of racist threats. “We need more diversity in the state,” he concluded.
“We’re doing a lot already,” Scott retorted. The two briefly argued over Scott’s veto of a bill to establish an independent commission with a cabinet-level administrator. Scott defended the veto as a constitutional matter and noted that in the end, he and the legislature worked out a mutually agreeable solution.
The two clashed on many issues. Scott favored the basing of the new F-35 fighter jets at Burlington International Airport, while Hallquist said she has “serious questions” about the move. Hallquist supports full legalization of marijuana, while Scott remains opposed.
Hallquist expressed support for safe injection sites as part of her plan to fight the opioid crisis. “I’m not in favor of that,” said Scott. Hallquist defended paid family leave as “the civilized thing to do,” while Scott — who vetoed a bill to establish paid family leave because it included a payroll tax — said that he was “not averse” to paid family leave, but that “it should be voluntary.”
Their final debate was, by far, the most contentious of all. It was Hallquist’s last chance to directly confront Scott and try to put some dents in his Teflon.
The broadcast itself underscored the disadvantages she faces in defeating Scott: the RGA’s TV ad was broadcast before, during and immediately after the debate. There has been no television advertising at all by Hallquist or by any independent group that supports her candidacy.
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“Hallquist had no qualms about the question. “There is nothing to admire,” she said. “He has serious psychological issues. I’m ashamed that the national Republican Party hasn’t done anything about him.” “
That’s enough for me. The very idea that a candidate for Governor has nothing good to say about our President, isn’t anyone worth voting for, imo. The revelations about the “Russian Dossier” hoax is going to take down the corrupt Washington deepstate. The FBI, the DOJ, the DNC, Hillary, Podestas, (the list is huge), all this is for the betterment of our nation which has been almost destroyed by Communist infiltrators for globalism.
Phil Scott is the only possible candidate for Governor of Vermont, and Christine makes that very clear. In fact,
VOTE RED entirely. #WalkAway
The governor is the leader of VT but the Legislature has passed many of the programs that put us in the predicament we are in and where we are living way beyond our means. That has been the problem.
Scott tried to change the healthcare for teachers and of course the legislature would not stand up and think of a new path and the healthcare for teachers is a disaster.
Sometimes change needs to begin in the legislature
“The very idea that a candidate for Governor has nothing good to say about our President,”
There is nothing good to say about him. Not one thing.
And by the way, he himself spends his entire days morning noon and night saying nasty, rude, mean, disgusting, nasty things about everyone else. Why are we supposed to respond by saying good things about him?
But was it a teste affair…?
P.S. Trump’s a joke.
Trump is a freaking dictator!! He’s a narcissistic person who was worried because the momentum had been on the killings and the bomber for the last week and not the midterm elections!! He has no feelings at all except for himself and his crooked family and rich friends….
Scott is just not being truthful about not going negative.
I just received a post card from Scott’s Republican governor’s association saying Hallquist would:
raise income taxes
raisepayroll taxes
raise the gasoline tax
these are negative ..and fear tactics
And then claim that he has nothing to do with the National Republicans! If he is truthful he should stand up and denounce these negative adds that are supporting him.
Let watch and see if Scott stands up to this challenge .
Hey, ConcernedVter, did you notice how Scott ambushed the legislature with his teacher healthcare crap? Did you notice how he said “My way or the highway?” And how in his two terms he’s forced the legislature to come back because he vetoes triparty budgets? He doesn’t lead, he demands, plays hardball and then caves. And costs us, the taxpayers, for added sessions. He was in the legislature how long? He knows how it works, but his puppetmaster Jason Gibbs doesn’t like playing by the rules, so Scott doesn’t do it. Says a lot for his leadership skills. Amirite?
I watched part of the debate, including part regarding F-35 fighter jet. Governor Scott right about many issues but wrong here. Scott was invited to Washington, DC, in meeting with Secretary of Air Force, that he purposely did not publicize, because he knows full well that City of Burlington; City of Winooski; and City of South Burlington, have all voted strongly against F-35. Governor Scott was asked by Secretary of Air Force: does VT want the F-35 or not? Sec. of Air Force said it can go in another state. In debate last night, Scott now tells VT he told the Air Force, yes, we want it. When he knows full well this is wrong. All the communities facing such enormous negative impacts have voted against it.
On other hand, Democratic Party cannot be trusted on this issue at all. It was Patrick Leahy, Peter Shumlin, & Miro Weinberger who all orchestrated the F-35’s basing to begin with. They have never wavered. Have all repeatedly refused to meet with negatively impacted constituents. 1,000’s of people facing negative impacts to health and home values ignored, over and over again, by VT Democratic Party. Marginalized their own fellow party member, Winooski State Rep. George Cross.
Hallquist supported F35 during primary. Now, suddenly, she slightly changes tune. Says she has some questions. This is not good enough. Do Hallquist & all VT Democrats, Becca Balint; Mitzi Johnson; Leahy; Welch; Weinberger, finally commit to stopping F35 and securing different, more positive mission for VTANG, appropriate for VT’s most densely populated area? They have not and do not.
Although I voted Democrat for 20+ years, so long as F-35 Fighter Jet Chamber of Commerce Democrats continue on path they are on, they will continue to lose my vote.
Watched this debate, I voted months ago.
Thank you Gov Scott for signing the gun law to make our schools safer. Funds were allocated, any plans as to when this may be happening?
Special Session – 2 years in a row, how did this save taxpayers? Will this be repeated?
Important bills – vetoed, which would have made the cost of living affordable for those who already live here.
Economic growth – recent articles reflect differently (businesses laying off workers).
Our new bond rating. Incentives to encourage people to move here, not the answer. Fiber optic will grow the economy. Many people do not have internet service or cell service.
Respect for Shumlin – Disagree
F35 – Residents opinions matter
Coventry – Should be closed down
EB-5 – Should be closed down
When can the public expect documents to be made public, surely some have been reviewed by now.
Or due to the ongoing case (literally) no dockets will be made available for transparency for years to come.
When will the audit be completed, any time frame? No one has mentioned when they foresee this happening.
(Thank you Janssen Willhoit)
Safe Ejection sites – Not the answer, only enables. Rehabilitation facilities are needed.
Education/Taxes/Mergers – Closing our smaller schools is not the answer. Especially if the Board of Education decides in the future to change the school hours and days. Our Teachers deserve a lot of credit.