This time, the debate from Connecticut wasn't televised live on national TV. People didn't build their schedules around it, or go to a debate-watching party. In fact, the debate between John DeStefano and Dan Malloy was in many ways the antithesis of the Lamont-Lieberman debate of two weeks ago: instead of two bitter rivals who represent radically opposed, ideologically divided factions in the Democratic Party, these two men found more to agree on than disagree, and spent more time attacking the governor than one another.
It was sort of refreshing. It was also sort of dull. Here are the high points:
Both Malloy and DeStefano seemed to stumble out of the gate. Hard to blame them--neither man has really seen much media attention over the past two years. DeStefano seemed nervous, and played with his glasses (which he later removed) and shuffled his notes. Malloy tripped over his tongue a few times, and seemed to lose track of his point. Both men managed to recover, although to differing degrees.
DeStefano at his best seemed like an educated, intelligent man who understood the reasons why government did what it did, and how to make it better. At his worst, he seemed like an aging professor lecturing to a confused audience. He had a tendency to wander off from the question as he tried to educate his audience, and he seemed to ramble a bit. He had to be interrupted several times as he ran over his time. Malloy at his best seemed like a can-do, passionate and driven man, while at his worst he edged over into melodrama. He actually said in response to a DeStefano attack: "There you go again." Sheesh. Malloy also strayed, although he seemed somewhat more coherant.
On the issues, it was difficult to draw distinctions between the two. Both men share the same basic platform--they just have different ways to accomplish what they want and have varying levels of commitment to it. The debate seemed to come down in large part to which of the two men was more genuinely in favor of that platform, and which truly had the better record, and this is where Dan Malloy scored the only two clear hits of the night.
First, with the help of the crusty and entertaining Mark Davis, he dredged up an old story about campaign finance reform, in which Malloy and Susan Bysiewicz both pledged to return money from contractors, etc., if CFR was implemented for 2006. DeStefano didn't, claming it was unfair to change the rules in the middle of the game (DeStefano then held a sizable fundraising advantage). The charge was made that DeStefano wasn't really for it if it would hurt his campaign. Malloy delivered a stinging lecture to DeStefano, which DeStefano was able to effectively parry by pointing out Malloy's melodramatic delivery, but the point remained.
Second, near the end of the debate, Malloy commented on the state of affairs in New Haven's education system, and said that "I want to be a governor who will help you turn that around." Laughter.
Mark Davis of WTNH stole the show by being grumpy, demanding and unwilling to let the candidates weasel out of responding to his (and others') questions. He cut through some of the nonsense like a knife. I kept expecting him to leap out of his seat and start yelling at them. I hope he gets to be a panelist at more of these: he was a welcome relief!
As for who won? On issues, both candidates know their stuff. This was a highly wonkish debate. But Malloy was slightly better at communicating his message, and he seemed sharper than DeStefano, and so came out of the debate in slightly better shape. But his win, if that's what it was, wasn't all that convincing, and I don't think this debate is going to erase much of the confusion voters have about these two candidates.
17 comments:
I've never heard of the political strategy of announing that you're a retard 3 weeks prior to an election... it seems a bit, well, retarded to me.
Molloy seemed to succumb to the stereotypical Fairfield County me-ism and give a big advertisement for Stamford. Was out of touch with the rest of CT, but continually promoted himself and Stamford. Molloy was unimpressive. I will vote for a person who has ALL of CT's interests in mind -- not just one city. I'll take professorial over ego everytime.
Sheesh... spin spin away DeStefano people. The fact is both candidates did well, but Genghis is right: Malloy scored the only real hits of the evening.
To respond to a couple of the posts on here: If any of you don't think that growing up with a learning disability and going on to become Mayor of a large city is impressive (or that it says something about his character), you're insane, and you also have an obvious bias against the man.
Same goes for to TrueBlue and the campaign finance thing. Can you say with a straight face that if the roles had been reversed and it was DeStefano who had offered to give the money back, that you wouldnt be absolutely killing Malloy right now? Yeah... thought so. Fact is, if you're so right that the leg. wasnt going to pass it for this race, then DeStefano is REALLY stupid for not saying it.
As I said, I thought they both did well, but Malloy was able to distinguish himself more, and he won the debate.
All you guys talk about who won. My questions: 1) any idea how many people watched, and 2) anyone know of anyone who moved from one candidate to the other or from undecided to one of these candidates due to the debate?
GMR,
I'd guess 1) very few and 2) no.
Wrath of Conn - I was on the on the ground outside the Garde Arts Center. And it the DeStefano support was overwhelming. They have easily over a hundred people there.
Not only that - but the Malloy team was rude and threw a bunch of volunteers in front of the labor semi to chant "dan dan dan" while John DeStefano was giving his speech.
All the Malloy campaign could do was bus a bunch of kids up from Stamford on campaign bus - kids who can't vote, and a bus that probably costs a few valuable dollars to rent out.
I think Malloy had to win this debate to stay competitive in the race and he clearly didn't. With DeStefano on TV for 3 weeks ahead of Malloy I would figure he's a good 15 points up. This might of been Malloy's last chance and he blew it. Two points here:
The campaign finance thing came off as a sham for Malloy. It's not an issue, this race was never going to be publicly financed and Malloy just came off as a liar who was trying to exploit a moot point. DeStefano wisely mocked Malloy's dramatics.
And talk about exploitation, it's one thing to talk about learning disabilities and overcoming them, that's admirable and attests to his character. But saying he was mentally retarded into the 4th graded, is a overdoing it. There's a fine line between proper usuage of his disability(his commercial) and exploiting it for political gain as he did at the debate again. Everybody around me started laughing when he said this, it was just such a blatant exploitation.
In fact, Cathy Malloy was almost forced to the ground by line on union JD supporters who locked arms and created a barrier.
I've always felt unions were a valuable force in a democracy, but the more I see of this, the more I wonder if they help in a democracy at all. Their reprehensible behavior last night sure seemed counter-productive.
We all have our biases but -
Anonymous...
Really. Stop!
Ugh. I didn't even see that nasty one... sorry, folks. Deleted, with apologies.
Is it just me or does Malloy creep anyone else out when he smiles?
Malloy closed the deal on this Primary last night. It is so obvious he had the most coherent and passionate message to give to the voters of CT.
John Fahan
HealthcareNOW said... "
but don't act like all unions are bad...."
Right....how many entire industries have they cost us?
Why is it that American workers can build a Japanese nameplate car here for 1200 less than it costs GM or Ford?
All unions should go the way of the Soviet.
Get treated like crap in Stop & Shop and wonder why? The rude schlep is next to fireproof thanks to the union.
I was beyond impressed once again with the organization and presence of the Malloy campaign. Again, I feel they overshadowed the DeStefano campaign who I expeceted to have hundred of union members. Their presence was admirable and had a good showing. But, politics isn't about who has the unions. It's about passion and good ideas and energy for a candidate. That is what I continually see with the Malloy campaign. They didn't need a flatbed truck or concert speakers to be heard. They used their voices and on election day, they will use their vote to elect Dan Malloy. It's rather unfortunate that a group of so called Demcocrats feels the need to verbally assault another Democrat. I support Dan and know him personally but would never think it appropriate to insult John on a blog... And, even more so, to insult Malloy volunteers and suppoters and make fun of Dan's extreme learning disabilities? Wow. That's harsh and beyond uncalled for. Candidates need to be transparent and present the truth about their upbringing, their struggles and successes. Just like John talks about his family and his successes. Making fun of people is not democratic and not inclusive to thousands of people in our state with disabilities. Dan is a role model for what he has done in his life.
Dan has support all over the state as does John. That's obvious since there is a primary and Dan won the convention with only a few votes. But to get back to my original point of the Malloy support. Malloy has been inundated by volunteers of all ages and yes, he does have a large group of active young people/college students. Do you remember being young and participating in the process? I'm sure there are some of you out there who worked for McGovern. What about Clinton? Or more recently Howard Dean? Why is this a negative that in addition to Malloy's regular everyday working people supporters is he looked at negatively by many on this blog for also having support by students? Isn't this what democracy is all about? Getting people involved in the democratic process and encouraging them to run for office? Don't dismiss them. We need them. And, yes, i'm aware youth don't vote in the highest of numbers but in a primary and in all our elections, we should EMBRACE the youth vote. These kids came from all over the state to rally and see the debate. They weren't "bused in from Stamford" as one blogger wrote. They volunteered and have so for quite awhile. Didn't you seem them at the convention, as well?
Let's be a little better than this.
The union members were physically aggressive with many of the Malloy supporters and I wouldn't expect them to know who Cathy Malloy is but common sense tells you that the woman in a suit holding hands with Dan Malloy at the beginning of the parade was his wife. I was in that parade and we were unable to get through. This isn't a picket line guys. And, I usually support the unions but I was so disappointed with many, not all, of their behavior. Aren't we all supposed to be registered DEMOCRATS? You're going to push and block other DEMOCRATS? Very strange scene.
Molloy's comments about DeStefano and woman's health care issues are WAY OFF and obsolete! C-sections can and should go home in 3 days! Mastectomies do not need more than a day or two! Ask anyone in health care- the less time spent in a hospital, the better!!!Infections and other complications increase with every day one is in the hospital! The place for health care is IN THE HOME!!!Francine Hunter,RN,MS
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