Monday, October 09, 2006

Gubernatorial Debate Open Thread

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:

Genghis Conn said...

Wild, MJR. I don't think anyone remembers the jet ski thing, though.

ken krayeske said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

DeStefano sounds hoarse.

He's an optimist?

MJR's thanking DeStefano for being a candidate... ouch.

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

Property taxes next.

Rell defending the car tax. She says she'll introduce it again next session.

Genghis Conn said...

Lord, DeStefano sounds awful. He's either strained his voice or he's sick-- not a good sign for him.

Genghis Conn said...

George Bush? Where did he come from?

Genghis Conn said...

GEORGE BUSH!!!!!!

wow.

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Anonymous said...

JDS needs to hit one out of the park.... hitting a foul at best....

and yes, he sounds horrible.

Genghis Conn said...

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."

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

George Bush Mentions So Far: 3

ken krayeske said...

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...

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

The security thing is interesting. Basically, Rell said "it's not our fault."

Genghis Conn said...

Doling out projects... questions about bonding. Rell says she's "held the line" on bonding.

Wait. $400,000 over is holding the line?

Genghis Conn said...

Ooo, saying no to school construction... might not be a good idea.

Genghis Conn said...

When did we build this baseball stadium? It sounds nice.

Genghis Conn said...

Now DeStefano is getting into transportation. This is getting away from bonding issues. he's suggesting spending more.

Genghis Conn said...

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."

Anonymous said...

Someone should tell John that there are no trains at Grand Central that go to New Jersey. lol

Genghis Conn said...

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."

Anonymous said...

If Jodi is so cheap, why did she give $20 million to retailer Cabela's? Good lord.

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

Okay, Rell is slamming DeStefano on taxes:

"He's already spent it three times, for three different programs."

"Raising taxes for tax relief."

Genghis Conn said...

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?

Genghis Conn said...

Oh, no. Schlesinger. Argh.

Why the hell is this here? Curse you, Davis!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Gov Rell's endorsement in the Senate race is not relevant to this debate.

Anonymous said...

Removing corporate loopholes is taxing businesses?

Rell is Mrs. corporate give-away!

ken krayeske said...

maybe she's aiming to be the governatrix?

Hollywood will sell the votes? Movies as her economic development plan?

Genghis Conn said...

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."

Genghis Conn said...

DeStefano is changing the subject.

That was a cheap question, Davis. I don't see how it's relevant.

Anonymous said...

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.

ken krayeske said...

If Lamont wins, then dies in a plane crash ala mel carnahan, the governor gets to appoint the replacement. Who would that be?

Unknown said...

Rell froze like a dear in the headlights at the Senator question. Can you blame her? Such an awkward, irrelevant question.

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Based on Rell's response, does that mean each Senate candidate can claim an endorsement?

Genghis Conn said...

"The mall: not a good idea. But we've had lots of good ones."

Oh, Rell is ducking this question, too. Not good.

Anonymous said...

Well done to recognize UConn's progress. However, the 21st Century program leaves many questions unanswered about oversight and accountability.

Genghis Conn said...

DeStefano started slow, but he really has done well in the second part of the debate.

Closing statements.

Anonymous said...

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.)

Anonymous said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

People halfway across the world are scheming to take our jobs? What?

Anonymous said...

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.

Genghis Conn said...

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.

Anonymous said...

WAIT A MINUTE...a saw a Joe commercial before the debate that said he alone saved the subbase. Who's telling the truth?

Anonymous said...

Good God--
Rell is going on about me, me, me. Again as arrogant as Bush!

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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?

ken krayeske said...

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.

Authentic Connecticut Republican said...

Interesting that not once did JDS showcase New Haven as a job well done....there must be a reason.

ken krayeske said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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?

Gabe said...

Ken - where do you go to school?

Genghis Conn said...

My thoughts are posted in full in a new post. There is also a poll there.

ken krayeske said...

quinnipiac u school of law

Anonymous said...

Rell looked sickly. She was caked with makeup.
Is she well?

Authentic Connecticut Republican said...

>>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.