You know, I tried coming up with some ideas about expectations going into tonight's debate, and I just couldn't think of any. All I want is for the two candidates to lay out their policies, talk about how Democrats are turning out in record numbers while Republicans continue to flounder, and that CNN doesn't spend too much time playing "gotcha" with Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.
What do you think each candidate needs to do to "win" tonight's debate? And more importantly -- isn't this fun?!
Chris Bell -- our candidate for Governor in 2006 -- endorsed Senator Clinton last night. From his press release:
Because of her breadth of experience, that candidate is clearly Hillary Rodham Clinton. She has been a trailblazer throughout her adult life and has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a real ability to make change happen. Whether the issue concerns homeland security, the armed services, veterans, healthcare, a woman's right to choose or equality for all individuals, Hillary Clinton has been at the forefront of the debate both as First Lady and as a distinguished member of the United States Senate.
We have seen all too vividly the problems that can occur because of early missteps in a new administration. Because of her experience, Hillary Clinton will not have to engage in that same type of on the job training. That will be to every American's great advantage.
We also know that Hillary Clinton is the one candidate in this race who has faced the right-wing smear machine head on and has lived to tell the tale. Although it appears they might be trying, the Republicans are not going to hand us this election. We need a candidate who is battle tested and who we know can give as good as she can get. Hillary Clinton is that candidate.
We invite our fellow Democrats out to the Backyard this Saturday to meet Sen. Barack Obama. Enjoy this personal video invite from Councilman Mike Martinez.
Click below the fold to learn more about tonight's Obama debate watch party at Scholz Garten. If you can't make tonight's meeting, then sign up online to volunteer.
If you want to watch the Governor's debate Friday night, check out the Chris Bell page of debate watch parties around the state.
If you want to be lame, you can gear up to read a liveblog of the event by rickperry.org. Because we all know that if you're nerdy enough to actually watch Friday's debate, then you might just be willing enough to read a play by play online because you can't possibly just watch it for yourself on TV.
Needless to say, BOR will not be liveblogging the debate unless one of our other writers has less of a life than I do. And you can always read Selby's transcript of tomorrow's debate before it happens.
A standard of any campaign is atttempting to get milage out of the "debate over debates" issue. Will incumbent X refuse to debate candidate Z? Why? Are they afraid of their record or the issues? What do they have to hide?
It's the same for every campaign in any district in any state. In general, if an incumbent is secure, they blow off their opponents, if not, they are obligated to debate. It's partially a sign of the how much of a real battle races are as well as the feelings and mood of those already in office. There are good and bad ways to accept or deny debates.
Clever ways? Rick Perry- by accepting one gubernatorial debate the weekend of the UT-OU football game, when no one will watch, and every radio station will be covering that or high school football. He accepts one, disarms calls for more debates, and ensures that the debate doesn't change his status in the race.
Stupid responses? John Carter by declining in such a manner that makes him look like a huge prick.
But Carter, as the incumbent, typically has less to gain in responding to Harrell than he has to lose. Carter has said repeatedly he won’t get into full “political mode” until October, after Congress adjourns.
However, in a previous interview this summer, Carter went a step further, saying that Harrell or any other challenger aren’t guaranteed the chance to debate him, despite their candidate status.
"People earn the right to debate me," Carter said in the interview. "I will determine how and not them."
Asked what would qualify someone for a debate, Carter said “credibility."
Then again, Rep. Carter has a history of making stupid statements to allow his opponent Mary Beth Harrell to respond effectively.
