Go ahead and post thoughts about the debate as it happens in this thread. I've taken comment moderation off so comments can be posted in real time.
You can, if you feel like getting sloshed, play our drinking game. But you probably won't want to do that. Debate coming on now, on WTNH channel 8.
update: We're having a little trouble with comments. I'm working on it.
60 comments:
Wild, MJR. I don't think anyone remembers the jet ski thing, though.
I remember it, Genghis, and I know someone who is friend's with Mike Rell that didn't know about it, and was surprised to hear of such issue.
Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
DeStefano sounds hoarse.
He's an optimist?
MJR's thanking DeStefano for being a candidate... ouch.
First question, electic regulation...
$50 for a tank of gas? What kind of car does he drive?
First attack by DeStefano...
Rell stumbling a little. She seems a little nervous. She's blaming the legislature for blocking her plans.
Property taxes next.
Rell defending the car tax. She says she'll introduce it again next session.
Lord, DeStefano sounds awful. He's either strained his voice or he's sick-- not a good sign for him.
George Bush? Where did he come from?
GEORGE BUSH!!!!!!
wow.
He's partly right about New London. US Coast Guard Academy, Conn College and Mitchell College form a big percentage of NL's land area... but they have a higher PERCENTAGE of tax-exempt land.
He did well on that answer. But the convention center, stadium, etc., was all Rowland's stuff.
Convention center really isn't working in Hartford. Really. It isn't.
JDS needs to hit one out of the park.... hitting a foul at best....
and yes, he sounds horrible.
This is Jodi Rell's strength. That question (about CFR) was kind of a softball. She did well.
There's the connection to Rowland from JDS.
Mumbling in the crowd. Not sure what sort.
There's Moody. "The governor's commitment to ethics has limits."
She's not taking DeStefano's bait. She sort of attacked him there, but she could have stomped him over his own campaign contributions. She didn't.
George Bush Mentions So Far: 3
fill me in - what is bosie kimber and canto? sounds like a law firm?
i'm sitting here in torts - can i get more play by play? anyone? please...
Rell's answer on illegal immigration: it's illegal. But she supports a way to citizenship.
Why is she calling DHS? Is the DPRK going to attack Brookfield?
DeStefano is bringing up the fact that she has rarely gone to DC.
Am I the only one who thinks these press people should be a little more prepared with their questions. Seems like a lot of casual rambling on their part.
The security thing is interesting. Basically, Rell said "it's not our fault."
Doling out projects... questions about bonding. Rell says she's "held the line" on bonding.
Wait. $400,000 over is holding the line?
Ooo, saying no to school construction... might not be a good idea.
When did we build this baseball stadium? It sounds nice.
Now DeStefano is getting into transportation. This is getting away from bonding issues. he's suggesting spending more.
Rell is slamming the Dems in the legislature again.
"I'm frugal, and I'm cheap sometimes. But I look out for your best interests."
Someone should tell John that there are no trains at Grand Central that go to New Jersey. lol
Timer mixup.
DeStefano is mentioning the rail cars sitting in the warehouse.
There's I-84. Blaming the governor...
DeStefano: "That's a concept of being frugal that most of us in our homes wouldn't agree with."
If Jodi is so cheap, why did she give $20 million to retailer Cabela's? Good lord.
More property tax relief.
DeStefano: increase the millionaire's tax.
Weirdly, I think DeStefano is actually winning this thing. Rell is not attacking him, she's on the defensive.
Okay, Rell is slamming DeStefano on taxes:
"He's already spent it three times, for three different programs."
"Raising taxes for tax relief."
DeStefano's response is not bad. But he ran out of time.
Rell says "removing corporate loopholes: that's tax increase on businesses."
What's with this film industry thing?
Oh, no. Schlesinger. Argh.
Why the hell is this here? Curse you, Davis!!!!!
Gov Rell's endorsement in the Senate race is not relevant to this debate.
Removing corporate loopholes is taxing businesses?
Rell is Mrs. corporate give-away!
maybe she's aiming to be the governatrix?
Hollywood will sell the votes? Movies as her economic development plan?
He asked which candidate she supports. The audience groaned.
She split her answer up. She didn't answer at all. Davis was annoyed, tried to pin her down.
DeStefano: "I pray I'll never be in politics that long to give an answer like that."
DeStefano is changing the subject.
That was a cheap question, Davis. I don't see how it's relevant.
Rell's answer to the Senator question was weak, disoriented and disjointed. Another example of Rell's inability to take a firm stance and articulate her position; impressive (and somewhat gutsy) that DeStefano called her on it and flipped the answer back to taxes and education.
If Lamont wins, then dies in a plane crash ala mel carnahan, the governor gets to appoint the replacement. Who would that be?
Rell froze like a dear in the headlights at the Senator question. Can you blame her? Such an awkward, irrelevant question.
Mann: What's the biggest mistake?
DeStefano admits that the Long Wharf Mall was the mistake. That's gutsy and honest. Now he's turning it into a rah-rah for New Haven. That's actually pretty good.
Based on Rell's response, does that mean each Senate candidate can claim an endorsement?
"The mall: not a good idea. But we've had lots of good ones."
Oh, Rell is ducking this question, too. Not good.
Well done to recognize UConn's progress. However, the 21st Century program leaves many questions unanswered about oversight and accountability.
DeStefano started slow, but he really has done well in the second part of the debate.
Closing statements.
Ohmigod, Rell is George Bush! Asked to name her biggest mistake, she couldn't think of one. (This after she had two minutes to think about it while DeStefano spoke.)
No she did NOT just refuse to answer that question. Yeah, she's just like my grandmother -- if my grandmother were a pompous ass with no sense of public policy.
People halfway across the world are scheming to take our jobs? What?
Did DeStefano just wake up (literally)? He's sounded horse and ill throughout, not he's assuming the role of a great orator - firm and confident.
She never thought she'd be governor? She did form an exploratory committee for 2002 (before Rowland announced), so she must have at least thought about it.
The Rowland experience, bringing up breast cancer... more mutters from the audience.
Sub base. She's hitting all the high points. CFR, ethics reform, transportation. She's standing on her accomplishments.
WAIT A MINUTE...a saw a Joe commercial before the debate that said he alone saved the subbase. Who's telling the truth?
Good God--
Rell is going on about me, me, me. Again as arrogant as Bush!
When you're an incumbent, you're sort of forced to talk about me because, well, you're basically on trial and the voters are the jury
I think DeStefano was stronger in the second half. The key is, how many people in this state chose the gubernatorial debate over Monday Night Football and Deal or No Deal?
People Power: let's protest Rell's office - shower her with public outrage until she relents and agrees to at least two more debates with all candidates.
It was her defiance to allow only two debates, and that is irresponsible governing.
Interesting that not once did JDS showcase New Haven as a job well done....there must be a reason.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again - you can't adequately debate the next four years of a $17.5 billion enterprise (technically $60 billion) in under 120 minutes.
People must hold her accountable.
Were you listening to the same debate, ACR? As I recall he cited a rejuvenated downtown, drastically cutting high school drop-out rates, college attendance rates that exceed those statewide . . . that doesn't strike you as a job well done?
Ken - where do you go to school?
My thoughts are posted in full in a new post. There is also a poll there.
quinnipiac u school of law
Rell looked sickly. She was caked with makeup.
Is she well?
>>that doesn't strike you as a job well done?
Drive through New Haven, but not on I-95 and get away from downtown.
He's opposed to dumping the car tax? Then why is it that both FMCC (Ford) & GMAC have roughly 20% of their leased units to New Haven residents being billed to PO Boxes elsewhere?
I would suspect the same or higher percentage from other fleet operators such as DL Peterson etc. & et al.
JDS continues his attack on minority single mothers with his refusal to cede on that point.
The man has no heart, and I suspect no soul.
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