PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The latest verbal sparring in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race involves comments made by Republican candidate Tom Corbett in Delaware County on Thursday.

Tom Corbett was quoted and filmed telling Delaware County Republicans that he wants to make sure Philadelphia Democrats -- quote -- "don't get 50 percent. Keep that down."

Mayor Nutter and other city Democrats on Friday insisted Corbett was referring to turnout. And that, they said, equates to voter suppression:

(Nutter:) "It is unconscionable that any candidate or elected official would ever advocate for keeping the vote down."

But Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley, said the Attorney General's plea to "keep that down" referred to Onorato's expected margin of victory in the city, not to turnout:

"They're taking it completely out of context, which is ridiculous. Which is typical."

Harley said Onorato's effort to make political hay of the comments smack of "desperation."

Reported By Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060