KING 5 analysts discuss Washington governor's debate performances

A debate showdown tonight as both presidential candidates and both candidates running to be the next governor in Washington face off for the first time. Tonight's presidential debate was fiery as former President Trump and vice president Kamala Harris sparred over the economy, immigration, abortion and the January 6th insurrection. The governor's debate just as he did with Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert at times talking over each other while talking about public safety and crime in Washington State. Thank you for watching King Five news at nine. I'm Jessica Janner Castro. I'm Steve Solis. Joining us tonight are King. Five political analysts to my right is former Washington, Governor Gary Locke and former attorney was Washington, Attorney General. Rob mckenna is joining us virtually. And Rob, let's start with you. Uh What are some of your biggest takeaways tonight from the governor's debate? Well, look, I thought they both did a good job. Uh In contrast to the presidential debate, I think they were more specific more often about what their plans are. Obviously, it was tested at the beginning. You kind of see the adrenaline almost, you know, practically see it pumping through their veins because they were both, uh, really amped up but they calmed down and, uh, they weren't speaking over each other after the first few minutes and they both got to make their points. So I, I thought it was a good debate and I, I thought the moderators did a nice job. All right, Gary. Well, I, uh, it was very clear that, uh, Ro Rob Ferguson was, um, a much more polished, articulate, uh, demonstrated and, and emphasize the point that he's been traveling the state meeting with people of all different communities and, and different groups and different backgrounds. Um very light on the specifics. Uh uh And Dave Reichert was really trying to hammer away on public safety. He felt a, he looked a little bit uncomfortable um and stumbling at times and, and even his posture of ho of folding his hands in, in uh across his chest. Uh So, um but Mr Ferguson also hurt himself a little bit by arguing with the moderators and really insisting on making comments beyond the rules. And I, I felt that the moderators let the debate get a little bit out of hand and uh at the very beginning, but then they settled down, but it was very good uh uh contrast between the two. One of the things uh really the first time we saw fireworks in this conversation tonight was when we talked about public safety and we heard uh both both parties go after each other how do you think they fared the start? Let's start with you, Gary. How do you think they actually fared in presenting, uh, Washington voters with a plan for public safety? Well, uh, Mr Ferguson, uh, offered a very specific, he said he wants to spend $100 million for added law enforcement, uh, but then never answered the question, how he's going to pay for it, given the fact that they're expecting and forecasting a deficit, uh a lack of sufficient funds just to uh implement and carry out current programs. Uh He also said he wants to lower the gas tax. Uh but he also supports uh the climate bill that was enacted. So there's, there was some inconsistency. Um um uh uh Dave Reichert, on the other hand, simply said that crime has gone up and that we need to address the homelessness issue because a lot of it is uh drug related or, or caused by mental illness and causing prices to go up as well. But he wasn't really very specific on what he was going to do to lower crime and to even address the homelessness issue. You may have already answered this gary, but let me ask you again because one of the big issues was also homelessness and affordable housing. The candidates did some somewhat seem to agree on those topics that they were issues here for Washington that need to be fixed. But who do you think had the stronger answer. Well, obviously it's a, it's a problem that's persisted for many, many years and, uh, and only getting worse. Um, I, I think both sides, both individuals demonstrated their concern about it. Uh A little bit vague on uh, concrete solutions other than Mr Ferguson's $100 million for extra police. Uh, but I think they both conveyed their concern and that crime and homelessness would be top priorities. Rob, let me ask you that same question. Who do you think was stronger on homelessness and affordable housing? I, I don't think either of them was terribly strong because as Gary pointed out, they, they really lacked in specifics for their plans. Uh But they did both commit to work on the issue. They both recognize it's a serious problem. Uh Unfortunately, Bob spent a good part of his time trying to not answering the question, but attacking, attacking Dave uh instead, which was kind of a pattern throughout the debate. Uh But uh he did say Bob did say he wants to build 1 million units of affordable housing, us using public private partnerships. It isn't clear why the government should be building affordable housing uh even in partnership with the private sector instead of just making it easier for the private sector to build. But that's not a point that uh Dave. Dave really made either. So I didn't think it was a particularly strong question and answer exchange for either of them uh in that debate. Ok. So initiative 2117 that came up, we knew that was gonna be an issue. Uh, they both stated how they stand on that issue. Do you think that they made each candidate made a, a good enough effort, not just to tell the public where they stand, but also to tell them why they feel the way they do. Well, I thought the, the both of did a very good job. Uh uh Mr Ferguson talked about the benefits of, of that uh uh carbon tax and the need to switch to a clean economy and how a clean economy actually creates more jobs. Um But uh Dave Reichert was also very accurate and pointed out the weakness of that legislation because uh the governor's office and uh the leaders of Olympia said that passage of this legislation would lead to maybe just pennies increase in the gas tax. And in fact, people were just surprised that it jumped so high, uh over 25 cents in some cases and even higher at some points. And so, um there's a lack of trust sometimes in our government officials. When they say, well, trust us, we're gonna pass this. It's really not gonna hurt you, it's gonna help you and then the opposite occurs. And so, uh uh it may affect some of the other initiatives that are on the ballot when they say, well, if you pass this initiative to get rid of this tax or that tax, um, it's gonna really decimate state government. Uh, and so I think the voters are a little bit concerned that, uh, Olympia is not really being truthful or, or they're exaggerating the consequences either for or against, uh, the various legislation. Uh, Rob, I'll let you answer that quickly and if you don't have much to add to Gary's comment, then I'll ask you a final question. Well, I'm sorry that, you know, Bob used his answer to try to pivot to another Donald Trump related attack on Dave instead of addressing the question, which even the moderator noted and, and Gary just noted as well was about the increase in gas prices being much higher than what was advertised in advance. So that, that was disappointing. This is a good issue for Dave because people are unhappy about gas prices. And, uh, I thought Bob did as good a job as he could considering that, you know, he needs to support the Climate Commitment Act and wants to and Rob I'll end with this question and I'll ask Gary uh this question as well. But, um, TV, when we have a TV debate, it offers us an opportunity to see these candidates in a very different forum. It allows us to see their mannerisms, you know, how they react with each other. Who do you think came out on top today? Is there anything that you think will influence voters? Uh, it's sort of apples and Oranges, you know, as, as Dave said at the end of the debate, he's not a debater, he's a cop, he's a former congressman, but he's, he's not a debater. Bob is a lawyer. He is a good debater. And, uh, I think that showed in the debate. But I think what is, what was good about the debate is that, you know, keeping in mind I, Gary and I both know these gentlemen quite well. Uh I think you really saw who they are. Uh You saw who Bob is, he's aggressive, he's ambitious. He, he's a lawyer, a good debater. Dave is a cop, uh plain spoken, not always the most eloquent, but he gets his points across. So I thought they were both very authentic and I didn't think either of them came across as being false or, or affected in any way. Really. Again, I thought it was a good debate. Uh even though as we've said at times they were short on specifics and uh it was unfortunate that they got off a little bit of a rough start. Gary, how do you feel anyone come out on top or anyone more likable? Well, I think uh each candidate uh uh reinforced their image and they're standing among their, their core supporters. They're very different. Uh Obviously, Mr Ferguson is a very polished articulate lawyer and his answers were very crisp. He had a very, he, he emphasized that he's traveled the state, met with people. He's taken on the Trump administration and won, of course, his entire campaign is to uh portray and characterize Dave Reichert as being an extremist. Uh and uh being a, a devout follower of Mr Trump who's not very popular in the state of Washington. Dave Reichert. On the other hand, was emphasizing his humble background and uh his uh rise through uh uh almost a, a tumultuous family situation. Uh but also really tried to just say he's a everyday guy and, and that will appeal to many voters in the state of Washington that he's, they could see him. He may not be very articulate, but they could see him. But again, Mr Ferguson was very polished, much more specific. Uh and uh really presented himself very, very well. So I think both sides came across, they should be very happy with the way they performed. Ok. Gary Locke M Kenneth. Thank you both for your insight. We appreciate it if you like full, a full debate recap as well as a breakdown on each candidates and where they stand on the top issues, text the word debate to 2064484545. We will send you a link. Our coverage continues coming up in the next half hour.