You're watching...
Gov. Tom Corbett, (R-Pa.), on the impact of Sandy on Pennsylvania as well as on Election Day voting and the economy.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
Related issues without my next -- and we're very happy to have them but it comes on the day we're getting -- out that so that the state of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania what is the have been -- at a democratic.
Best -- presidential races.
Might be close to dead even and and a possible pick up the Republicans.
Let's address this in all -- storm what Pennsylvania Republican governor Tom Corbett in Harrisburg Pennsylvania governor very good to have you thank you for taking the time.
Thank you Neal thanks for having me on first so what's the latest on sandy and it -- we forget you know your state is so big governor that you can have.
-- squalls and then just flooding and it's all under the same.
Border what's the latest.
Well pretty much you're right there the -- -- in the southeastern quarter.
It's travel clear across -- state -- over Pittsburgh now that is -- travel up my theory is that then into a New York State around Rochester.
And so we've experienced quite a bit of wind as result of that.
Quite a bit of -- The -- you -- has been moderate in this room storm compared to the storms that we took last year with Hurricane Irene and we tropical storm Lee.
We've had five reported deaths so far.
Were hoping that that's where it is.
We actually have snow fall in the laurel highlands although.
I imagine there are some of the ski -- -- -- that -- happy received that kind of snow -- refuses to do created a problem.
We have about one point one people.
Or customers with out electric service in Pennsylvania right now.
The major companies -- are working very hard that they brought in.
About twenty to 2300.
Service providers -- workers from other states to help resolve the problems here.
In Pennsylvania so.
As I look at what's going on in New York in New Jersey.
I'm counting that we know we are lucky compared to them but.
You know -- one million people.
Without electricity.
A lot of wind damage to it appears and some flooding damage.
This has been an impact on Pennsylvania.
Governing units in the one million or so without power are wearing the three billion a little bit north of that in New Jersey without power of the one million or so to two million.
Hard to get us a solid number governor in New York went up.
We're told that most of them won't have it back anytime soon.
So as you know -- are well week away -- I don't know your case might be different fathers but we're we're a week away from a an election.
Where.
It's it's conceivable a lot of it won't be able go to the polls right or -- -- -- it would.
You really have to get a a jazz group of voters out to do that.
Do you envision any problems Election Day.
Right now I don't envision problems Election Day effect have -- our secretary of state to do a survey of all the counties.
The election boards in the counties making termination do they have polling places that are without electricity right now dead.
We need to make sure they have electricity by.
Election Day next -- I feel pretty confident that we're going to be able to do that.
At this point in time are the ability to travel we don't have the flooding -- new -- New Jersey has so our ability to I travel all across the state.
It's pretty well there we have some words about -- -- your roads and bridges that are closed right now.
Most of that is due -- trees and wires being down.
We hope that we'll have that result but I think when it comes to Election Day and -- Tuesday November 6 will be would have the polls open.
I I am.
It it just sit audience there's not Pennsylvania restrain its quite pleasant New Jersey but my point is that the damage from this storm.
Everyone's is that what will we might make up for -- later with the construction the commons.
With with the sort of rebuilding and getting back up to speed but the near term intact on states like yours on the economy in general nationally.
Will be negative that this -- -- -- I think the estimate is governor.
I have 2% of GDP I don't know how to come by these estimates would test him along and that it will be a near term negative do you agree with that.
While I certainly hope it's not a near turn negative -- it certainly is -- net.
In many areas of the state there may have been to work days that were lost right and you can never make up days that are lost.
There will be worked there for reconstruction we've lost some houses in some places.
But overall we're trying to grow the economy Pennsylvania.
We have been growing -- we've added.
Close to a 100000 new private sector jobs in the two years now that I've been.
No matter what you have a very good track we're gonna that regard and I'm wondering.
If it's actually helping as -- have to have some Republican governors who also Madison turnarounds Ohio Florida come to my.
That they're actually helping the incumbent I know you don't care about helping anyone but -- citizens which is.
-- -- a book but do you think that even as competitive as your state has become.
Debt.
If it Barack Obama.
Ends up winning has stated it might it be in no small measure to what you've been doing.
Eight could be I think.
Frankly the election is going to hinge on.
Whether the people except the last four years under president -- take his idea that we need to go into different direction.
We started to different direction here two years ago.
Not taxing our people -- spending within our means that spending beyond our means.
The other got Republican governors there were elected in 2010 with me have been doing the same thing across the country into what -- If you -- it doesn't it wouldn't be pretty yeah right I mean if it turns out where we're the president has made -- a lot of -- swing states not all but many like yourself -- Pennsylvania.
And and some of these other states where we're where there has been an odd turnaround all Republican dominance.
What is it is vornado coincidental as an -- I think is where -- coincidental if it was 12 or three.
But it is a vast majority Republican governors.
That have been able to turn this around.
In those areas the economy is growing and we -- to -- continue to grow.
And we think we -- -- -- should change to the top that is similar where we're doing it is the state level in order to do that.
Do you think real quickly governor that both the governor and local governor Romney is wasting his time as much you love your stated -- -- -- -- your state.
Campaigning there where it would still be an uphill battle to win.
Then then be -- Ohio.
No deal I I think that then we've encouraged governor Romney come to Pennsylvania.
We believe it's much closer looking at -- and it is done by.
The state house in the state senate.
In their local districts this is a different election in four years ago and I think he can be successful here we so watch very closely you have governor thanks for taking time editor.
Very -- thank -- John Corbett republic of the finds that the Pennsylvania.
