Energy
Newsom touted the success of his renewable energy policies in creating jobs. He said there are 200 renewable energy companies in the state “specifically targeting zero emission and electric vehicles. … It’s a trillion-dollar industry and we are going to dominate this industry.” He said the previous week 17 percent of vehicles purchased here were electric. “We know this works” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate economic growth.Education
Dahle switch to education and said Newsom “talks really slick about all these processes he’s doing. He’s got $100 billion in surplus revenue. But 70 percent of kids cannot read at grade level. And that’s due to the California Teachers Association and your policies as governor.”“What you identified are problems,” Newsom retorted. “We’re identifying solutions. High-dose tutoring. Reading specialists in high-poverty schools. Reading staff, changing staff ratios, community schools. … All things you have consistently opposed. And we know these policies work.”
“Why are the test scores so low then?” Dahle asked. Good point. But he said it in such a low-key way it hardly registered. What was needed was a Trumpian slam to get attention.
Newsom was questioned about putting his kids in private schools and his commitment to public education. “I’m passionate about public education,” he said. “I’m a product of public education. My kids are going to school right behind our house, a Waldorf school, which is about creativity and critical thinking, and the kinds of things that we’re advancing in our public education system.” He touted his $1.9 billion in college savings accounts program for incoming kindergarteners, which Dahle opposed.
Dahle responded he put his two older sons through public schools, but now has his daughter in private education “because you and I both know that the better education is a private education, because our schools are failing, no matter how much money he throws at every single issue in this state. … You can tell a lie if you want, but people are walking with their feet, and they know.”
Dahle missed a chance here to advance universal, statewide school choice on the Arizona model. He could have brought up how school vouchers and charters especially benefit the Hispanic and black students who suffer from an “achievement gap.”
Abortion
Abortion came up concerning the budget. Dahle said he was pro-life and brought up Proposition 1, on the Nov. 8 ballot, which would make abortion, already legal in California up to six months, allowed up to the instant before birth. And he pointed out Newsom put $200 million in the budget to pay for abortions from those coming here from other states.“I know that’s a great platform when you’re running for president of the United States, but here in California people are struggling,” Dahle said. He added he would take that money from the budget. But he might allow funding for California residents’ abortions, “if that’s what it takes” for a budget deal. Which probably would happen in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
Newsom said, “With respect, you’re not pro-life. You’re pro-government mandated birth.” This is important because this has become a Democratic Party strategy, saying that banning abortion means one favors “forced birth,” or “government-mandated birth.”
Maybe that sounds good in California, but it might not in such battleground states in 2024 as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In all three, essential to win the presidency, the pro-choice side was advancing this summer after Roe v. Wade was overturned—but now is reeling as Republicans are leading, or tied, in the U.S. Senate and governorship races in those states.
Drought
Next, Newsom was asked why he hasn’t been more aggressive in fighting the drought. Newsom said a study by his administration advanced flexibility in dealing with the drought, with the local water agencies taking the lead. That led to 11 percent reductions in use. And the state will spend $8.4 billion more for producing and conserving water.Asked why he didn’t impose a statewide mandate, he responded a “one size fits all” policy wasn’t needed because “the conditions in Riverside County are completely different than the conditions here in San Francisco County.” The “flexibility” of his policies is enough. He added his policies are creating more water for use. There are 37 desalination plants in the state, and “we want more.” He said Dahle opposed such efforts.
Dahle responded he supported Proposition 1 in 2014, a $2.7 billion water bond. He said 60 percent of the water in the state comes from his district, which is in the far northeast corner of the state and includes numerous dams. He said we need to capture the water and save it for the times when there are droughts. “Your policies don’t bring results,” he said to Newsom.
Newsom added Dahle “consistently” opposed his programs on this and other issues. “You’re just laying out talking points with no substance.”
The problem for Dahle here, and for his campaign in general, is it’s hard to fight a governor who is spreading around a $100 billion surplus. If there were a $40 billion deficit, as during the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis, critiquing government programs would resonate better.
Homelessness
Homelessness was the next topic. Newsom was asked why it’s not getting better. “You’re right, it’s an outrage,” Newsom agreed. He then touted advancing 75 accountability plans for local programs. “We’re not just handing out money any longer if local governments can’t produce real results.” He said, unlike when he came in four years ago, today there’s a real plan. But Dahle has opposed all those programs.Dahle was asked about his call for declaring a state of emergency on homelessness, and banning homeless camps within 1,000 feet of sensitive areas. Dahle said “at least children would be safe getting to school.” More generally, he said, “There’s a theme here. He throws money at things. But what are the results? He spends $22 billion, $75,000 per homeless person, and we have 22,000 more. So the theme of this debate is the governor has all these great programs, but the policies don’t actually fix the problem.”
Dahle added he was stepping around the homeless and feces on the way to the debate. “Day one of being governor, I would make fentanyl a state of emergency and tackle fentanyl; 5,700 people in California died from fentanyl.” He didn’t specify the date range, but apparently he meant last year. “People on the street are addicted, so get them off drugs. Fund the counties’ mental health programs, and the clinicians, then drive down the cost of housing in California.”
Newsom rattled off his spending programs: “$11.6 billion of investments on the issues of mental health, $5.5 billion specifically for board and care homes and rapid rehousing for mentally ill” people. “And over the next several years we’re going to see the results of those efforts,” although Dahle opposed them, including anti-fentanyl funding that got 14,000 pounds of the drug off the streets.
Crime
Newsom was asked about his support for Proposition 47 from 2014, which reduced penalties for some crimes, but has been blamed by Republicans for recent increases in crime. Newsom said crime increases are average here for American states, and Republicans have used Prop. 47 as a “scapegoat” against criminal-justice reform efforts, all of which Dahle opposed.Newsom brought up another spending program Dahle opposed, a $758 million “investment” for 1,000 new CHP officers. Newsom charged eight of the 10 states with the highest murder rates are run by Republican governors. But he didn’t mention the culprit is Democrat mayors in the cities in those states.
Conclusion
Newsom clearly came off stronger in the debate, parrying any points Dahle made. The governor would have been better off putting the debate on a weekday prime time slot, like those in Pennsylvania for U.S. Senator last week between Mehmet Oz and John Fetterman.Yet Dahle scored for pointing out the state’s many festering problems Newsom has not done much to improve, despite the many billions of billions spent. But Dahle’s problem is the same one Republicans have faced for two decades now: how to generate interest for GOP candidates in a state overwhelming Democratic.
For Californians, the debate discussed most of the major issues facing the state, providing the general positions of the two parties. It’s too bad Newsom won’t agree to one or two more debates in prime time. He would get more debate experience and national exposure. And the people of this state would benefit.
