A debate that shows just where the hopefuls do — or don’t — stand

By Jon Ralston

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.

You may have missed the first gubernatorial debate held last week before a packed house at the Thomas & Mack Center. But, luckily, I have a transcript:

Moderator Nina Radetich: “Thanks to all of you for being here. Before we begin, in the interest of full disclosure, and to uphold my ethical standards, I want to thank all of the candidates for chatting with me yesterday about using my boyfriend in their campaigns and for considering my offer to give them the questions in advance in exchange for doing so. I want to disclose that only Mayor Oscar Goodman took me up on my offer and told me, ‘Anything that’s legal, Nina, is fine with me.’

(Chants of “We love you, Nina” and “You go, Oscar” ripple through the crowd.)

“Thank you. My first question is where you stand on education in Nevada. Mayor Montandon, you are first.”

Ex-North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon: “Nina, I am very concerned about the dropout rate here in the state. And speaking of dropouts, has anyone noticed how many jobs Brian Sandoval has dropped out of?”

Ex-Judge Brian Sandoval: “If I may, I am very concerned about that kind of negative campaigning. Very concerned. I am concerned in general. Very.”

Ex-state Sen. Joe Heck: “I’m not just concerned; I’m willing to sign a pledge that says I’m concerned and will remain concerned.”

Gov. Jim Gibbons (glances up from BlackBerry): “No new taxes. Again.”

Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid: “I don’t know about any pledges or promises, except from the people who put money in my campaign coffers. Have I mentioned that I have more than $3 million in the bank? Raising money early and scaring off everybody. Now that’s a vision the state needs.”

Goodman: “Are these guys serious, Nina? This is the best we have? I don’t know yet if I am running as a Democrat or independent or maybe even Green Party. But I am better than these jokers.” (Thunderous applause.)

Radetich: “I don’t want to play favorites, and please don’t tell anyone I said this — (laughter) — but you are right, Mayor. Those talking points my boyfriend gave you are working quite nicely. Now for the next question: How will you address the state budget problems? Judge Sandoval, you are first this time.”

Sandoval: “I am concerned about the state budget, Nina. We have to do more with less. We have to balance our checkbook just like families. We should not raise taxes. By the way, does anyone understand how Jim Gibbons’ lips don’t move when I talk?”

Gibbons: “Huh? What? Sorry, I was texting someone. I say again: No new taxes.”

Montandon: “Get in the game, Jim. This is why I am running. Because I believe in all the stuff you say but I am not you.”

Heck: “I’m not him, either. And I think people know that. When I signed that tax pledge, I signed my name, not Jim Gibbons’ name.”

Reid: “Speaking of names, I would like to announce today that I have legally changed my last time to Ride. My campaign slogan will be ‘Ride to Victory with Rory.’ Why did I change my name? Ask my dad.”

Goodman: “Can someone get me a drink? These morons are killing me.”

Radetich: “Thanks for all that insight, gentlemen.

(From a far corner of the Thomas & Mack, a chant of, “We want Barbara, we want Buckley” begins but quickly fades.)

“Please. Let’s give these folks the respect they deserve. (Laughter courses through the building.) Our final question is what your first action as governor would be. Mayor Montandon, you are first.”

Montandon: “I would move the state capital to North Las Vegas. It’s time we moved government to a place that really deserves to have 63 lawmakers living there for four months. I bet that will cut down on the length of sessions.”

Heck: “I would make sure that every legislator signed the no-tax pledge. And every citizen, too. And tourists.”

Sandoval: “I am concerned about choosing what I would do first. I don’t like answering hypotheticals. They concern me.”

Gibbons: “I would either force Dawn to move out of the mansion or build a new one. Without tax dollars. No new taxes.”

Reid: “I would form a vision committee. It would be the best vision committee in the state’s history.”

Goodman: “You mean I’d have to actually be governor if I won?”

Radetich: “Thanks to all of you for staying on point and answering all the questions. Especially you, Oscar — I mean, Mayor Goodman. Way to go. See you later for a night out. But don’t tell anyone.”

(Loud applause.)

Jon Ralston hosts the news discussion program “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” on Las Vegas ONE and publishes the daily e-mail newsletter “RalstonFlash.com.” His column for the Las Vegas Sun appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.