And some in the GOP worry that he failed to show sympathy for laid-off Pennsylvanians with his comments about unemployment compensation.
It was negative attention Corbett didn't need.
Voter Darlene Snyder, 63, of Reading, said recently that, off the top of her head, she couldn't name either candidate for governor.
But when told that Corbett was the GOP nominee, she said: "Is he the one who said people are lazy and don't want to work? Then I don't like him."
She said she had been on unemployment benefits for 92 weeks. Her company had moved to Mexico.
One potential problem for Onorato could be that he appears too much like Rendell, whose popularity has nose-dived in polls. Analysts cite "Rendell fatigue" after his eight years in office.
Rendell ran for governor as the former top executive in a major urban area who restored economic vitality by spending government dollars in partnership with private investment.
That is Onorato's profile, also. One GOP analyst called him "Rendell light" and said voters weren't ready for more of the same.
Fazio, of East Norriton Township, the mall patron who at first couldn't recall Onorato's name, said she regretted voting for Rendell.
Of Onorato, she said: "I feel he'd be like any other Democrat - he'd raise the taxes. The Democrats are spending too much money. That's out of control."
Charles Kopp, a longtime Republican fund-raiser in Philadelphia, said: "You have an unpopular Democratic president, and you have an unpopular Democratic governor, which means it's going to be a Republican year."
But analysts predict a race that comes right down to the end. Polls show that a majority of voters have yet to form strong opinions of either candidate. With both candidates being from the Pittsburgh area, that's especially true of Philadelphia-area voters.
A challenge for both Corbett and Onorato might be to overcome a deep cynicism about politics that may keep many voters home.
"I don't care who wins or loses," said Jim Paul, of Chester Springs, a retired police officer. "As politicians go - not one of them has ever improved my life, that I know."
First Debate Set
The first debate between the Republican and the Democrat running for Pennsylvania governor is scheduled for Sept. 27.
Aides to Republican Tom Corbett and Democrat Dan Onorato said Friday that the candidates plan to attend a debate at an annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry dinner in Hershey.
Former ABC News anchor Ted Koppel will moderate. The election is Nov. 2. - AP
Contact staff writer Tom Infield at 610-313-8205 or tinfield@phillynews.com.
