Johnson berates Hull at UA forum

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat Gubernatorial candidate Paul Johnson speaks to students about central issues in his campaign yesterday afternoon in the Tucson Room in the Student Union. Johnson talked about the problems with HMOs and increasing the safety level of public schools.

Johnson told a group of about 20 at a UA forum that Hull has canceled 25 scheduled debates, adding that he thinks Hull is promising too many things to a multitude of people.

"I believe she's not going to debate because she can't," Johnson said.

Johnson said the governor accepted a debate in Tucson, found out he would be there and canceled.

He conceded that "Mrs. Hull is not a bad lady."

Andy Chasin, Hull's deputy press secretary, responded in a telephone interview to Johnson's accusations.

"This boy is whacked out," Chasin said. "She's running the state ... she doesn't have time to play around with Paul Johnson all day."

Mike Hull, Jane Hull's campaign manager and son, said the governor focused on her opponents in the primaries, and she can now start battling Johnson in the general election.

"His claims about ducking debates are... preposterous," Mike Hull said. "We had many joint appearances with the primary candidates."

The campaign manager said the governor and Johnson now have seven upcoming debates.

"She can't go off playing with Paul any time he says he wants to do something," Mike Hull said. "He's obviously trying to gain traction in his campaign and he's not. Meanwhile, the governor is just going blockbusters."

Johnson, who was 25 minutes late for yesterday's engagement in the Memorial Student Union Tucson Room, focused on central issues like health care and education.

Johnson queried audience member, asking what issue they cared about most. The majority of the crowd focused on education.

Johnson proposed instituting a statewide code of conduct. If students bring a gun or punch a teacher in response to juvenile misconduct, they would be removed from regular public schools and placed in alternative educational institutions, he said.

He encouraged public school uniforms, an act he said would reduce violent crime.

"You don't have to have one group of kids in Gucci's and Polo's and another group in baggy pants and (NFL football team Oakland) Raider's caps," he said.

Johnson also accused Hull of cutting educational funding.

Hull's office responded with documents that state that the governor has increased kindergarten through 12th grade operating funds by $52 million and state university funds by $47.2 million.

Johnson went on to attack current health care policies with a story about a woman whose three doctors advised her to undergo heart bypass surgery. Her health management organization turned down the request all three times, and before the court battle finished, she died, Johnson said. He encouraged an increase in patients' rights and access to specialists.

"Gosh darn it, we can't fix many of these problems unless government takes a part as well," Johnson said.

David J. Cieslak can be reached via e-mail at David.J.Cieslak@wildcat.arizona.edu.