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Chris Daggett won the first televised gubernatorial debate by being the only candidate to spell out specific policies as to how he would reduce property taxes and rein in out-of-control spending, according to the view of pundits who watched the event.

"Daggett was the winner of this debate by a large margin,'' wrote Star-Ledger conservative columnist Paul Mulshine of the Thursday debate. His assessment was shared by New York Times writer David Halbfinger. "But it was the little-known independent, Christopher Daggett, a former Environmental Protection Agency official, who all but stole the show, promoting a plan to cut the state's skyrocketing property taxes by up to 25 percent and haranguing Mr. Christie in particular for lacking a specific plan of his own.''

"Chris Daggett hit the ball out of the ballpark,'' Democrat Michael Murphy said NJN's post-debate broadcast.

Josh McMahon, a columnist for NewJerseynewsroom.com wrote, "When the final words had been spoken it was clear that Daggett had the best night. He was the most intellectually engaging, the one with new ideas. And he was entertaining.''

Unfortunately for Daggett, he is running a very distant third in the three-way race with Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Chris Christie.

The candidates will debate a second time on Oct. 18.

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM