Guv-debate topics don't make for good theater

So, do you remember all those angry town-hall meetings last summer, where the political issues of the day like health care or climate-change legislation were the flash point for a lot of yelling and heated discussions?

Well, this was nothing like that.

Last night's statewide televised debate of the six major Democrats and Republicans seeking to replace Gov. Rendell in 2011 was less energetic most of the time than your typical condo board meeting.

That had a little to do with the field - which lacks well-known political star power - but a lot to do with the subject matter, which was limited to the issues of ethics and good government.

Right now, there is so much outrage over scandals like the so-called "Bonusgate" affair and judicial corruption involving youth sentencing in Luzerne County that many of the candidates - in both parties - seemed to agree on many pointed solutions.

Most of the six front-runners agreed on topics like auditing state legislative budgets, seeking expert help to deal with a huge pension shortfall, cracking down on gifts from lobbyists or seeking limits on campaign contributions as exist in most other states.

Still, with just seven weeks to go before the May 18 primary, the 90-minute session did reveal differences on whether all judges should be elected in Pennsylvania and on the need for a constitutional convention to fix a government that most state voters feel is badly broken.

Here are some highlights of the session that took place at Harrisburg Area Community College, which was moderated by Daily News columnist John Baer, and broadcast on the PCN cable network:

Most interesting issue discussion: Pennsylvania is one of only seven states that holds partisan elections even for its highest court, and there was widespread support for changing to merit selection, at least for the appellate levels.

State Sen. Anthony Williams of Philadelphia went even further, arguing that all judges should be appointed. "I come from a community that fought and died for the right to vote," Democrat Williams said, but noted that he believed that merit appointments would lead to greater diversity on the court, especially because of dismal voter turnout in local elections.

Republican state Rep. Sam Rohrer went a different route, saying he favors not only continued election of judges but lifting the so-called "gag rule" that prevents judicial hopefuls from commenting on issues that might come before them. "We need to let them speak more freely," said Rohrer, a Republican from Berks County.

Best pander of the night: Democratic state Auditor General Jack Wagner argued that the only way to fix reapportionment to provide more logical legislative districts and more competitive races is to have a nonpartisan commission - quickly adding he'd like to see the Committee of Seventy, Common Cause and the League of Women voters involved on a panel.

Those happened to be the three primary sponsors of the debate last night.

Longest grudge: Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, a Democrat, became very animated when asked about the redistricting issue.

"We have outrageous gerrymandering in Pennsylvania," said Hoeffel, referring to redrawing boundaries to benefit or hurt certain pols. "I was the victim of it in 2000 - I mean, c'mon!" Hoeffel served in the U.S. House until the lines were redrawn after the 2000 Census, essentially eliminating his suburban district.

Biggest elephant in the room: Despite the widespread agreement on issues such as limiting campaign contributions or a nonpartisan redistricting process, most of these things can't be done by gubernatorial fiat. Historically, the roadblock to real ethical reform in Pennsylvania has instead been lawmakers.

Smallest elephant in the room: The conservative Republican Rohrer is considered a favorite of the up-and-coming tea party movement, but the topics generally didn't jibe with that group's core issue of smaller government. Rohrer did stress fidelity to the current state Constitution, echoing the national tea party philosophy.

Politician on friendliest turf: Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican seen as one of the front-runners, clearly relished the subject of ethics, since he's best known for his aggressive prosecution of legislative bonuses for political work, or "Bonusgate." At the same time, he didn't have to defend his decision to join more than 12 other states' attorneys general in a lawsuit seeking to block federal health-care reform.

Most unique voice: That would be Williams, who not only was the only minority in the debate but also, as a longtime lawmaker, defended some Harrisburg practices that the others attacked, including earmarked dollars for local groups and projects.

"The YMCA is not a slush fund!" he thundered at one point.

Most topical answer: Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County executive, said his position on appointment of statewide appellate judges is driven in part by this year's Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited corporate spending on political races.

"Most people can't name the candidates - and now we have the influence of corporate dollars," Onorato, a Democrat, said.

Best name of a political debate venue - ever! The acronym for Harrisburg Area Community College is HACC, pronounced "hack."