Bacon's Rebellion

The Gubernatorial Debate – A Draw

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by

James A. Bacon
in

If anyone relished the prospect of Tim Kaine chewing up Jerry Kilgore in the televised campaign debate tonight, they were sorely disappointed. Kilgore stumbled over a few words early on, and he relied a bit more upon canned phrases than Kaine, but he otherwise held his own. Judging the debate on style points, I would have given Kaine an 8 and Kilgore a 7. Not enough to make a difference. Judging the debate on substance, neither candidate committed a gaffe, and neither had a “gotcha” moment. Given the Kilgore camp’s pre-debate fears that their candidate would have his booty handed to him on statewide television, I imagine there are a lot of people heaving a sigh of relief.

Both candidates elaborated upon themes already established in their campaigns. Kaine emphasized his role as a partner of Gov. Mark R. Warner in making tough budget decisions, protecting the state’s AAA bond rating and increasing spending on education. He painted Kilgore as an obstructionist opposed to raising taxes and otherwise shoring up state finances.

Kilgore painted Kaine as a tax-and-spend liberal who would raise taxes again, and, to counter Kaine’s appeal on educational issues, repeatedly tarred him for his record as mayor of Richmond, with its second worst-performing school district in the state.

Kaine’s best moment: When questioned about his personal opposition to the death penalty and abortion, Kaine responded: “I’m Catholic. There’s never been a Catholic governor. I’m against the death penalty and abortion. I’m not going to change my religion to get elected. But I’ll swear to uphold the law.” Kaine did a good job of neutralizing the issue.

Kilgore’s best moment: Responding to Kaine’s protestations that he’s cut a variety of taxes, Kilgore responded: “The test is not whether you’ve cut a tax here or there, but what has happened to the overall tax burden.” The fact is, Kaine increased the overall tax burden for Richmonders when he was mayor and for Virginians while he was Lieutenant Governor.

I don’t see either candidate getting much traction from the debate. The race for governor will go down to the wire, with the results determined largely by television ads and get-out-the-vote efforts.

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Comments

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    “It was mean spirited for Kilgore to “beat up” on local officials.”

    Damn straight. And not even hypothetically part of his powers as Governor. It was just an exercise to showboat at the expense of the town’s attempts to deal with the problem in its own way.

  2. Terry M. Avatar
    Terry M.

    Jim, you missed that Kilgore never answered the question regarding what three things, other than the three Kaine listed, would he do if a Cat 5 was coming.

    Both are just plain being nasty.

  3. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    No offense to you Jim, but this is an example of why I don’t like liveblogs of things. You can’t watch and listen and post thoughtful stuff at the same time. What we get is often just a bare recap of what’s on Tv (here), and if the event is political, then with the most simplistic slant or cheerleading spin one can put on things (vaconservative). In neither case does much interesting reading come out of it, even from such great writers and commentators on politics.

  4. Jim Bacon Avatar
    Jim Bacon

    Anonymous, I agree with you totally. After looking over what I’d written, I saw the post as an inadequate recap of the debate itself. There is no way to transcribe the debate and comment upon it at the same time. For a detailed blow by blow, I recommend readers consult the transcript.

    Appalled by the terrible literary quality of the post, I rewrote it to touch upon the highlights. (My apologies to the first Anonymous and Terry M., whose comments refer to a now-defunct version of the post.)

  5. Barnie Day Avatar
    Barnie Day

    I really liked the format and the pace. Lots of good, tough, tough questions–the toughest, most direct being, in my opinion, the “courage of conviction” question to Kaine on the on why he wouldn’t use the powers of the office to ratify his personal conviction on the death penalty. My guess is that some gap will develop now. Still no COMPELLING issue that separates them, though.

  6. Terry M. Avatar
    Terry M.

    I agree that it was a good format. I also think neither candidate really distinguished himself through their responses, other than their ability to attack. I’ll be surprised if the polling demonstrates anything other than reinforcing their existing support.

    And Jim, no apologies necessary. I did think it gutsy to attempt.

  7. ESQ-JD Avatar
    ESQ-JD

    Yes, it is hard to live-blog at the same time, but it also captures exactly what you were thinking when the event happened. Once you start reading other people’s stuff and the reports, you views might change on the wording of it all. Good job overall.

  8. Tom James (aka Brave Hart) Avatar
    Tom James (aka Brave Hart)

    http://www.truthinjustice.org/anderson.htm

    This is how just our justice system is working for the death row inmates. Until you figure out how to get Human frailties, corruption out of the system how can you trust it?

    So any logical, clear thinking, informed, American should have doubts about the death penalty and our justice system.

    This is from someone with first hand knowledge about abuse of power in Law Enforcement and the Judicial System..

    Ask yourself. Is it a conflict of interest to have:
    Daddy Frank Hargrove Sr., Delegate for Hanover;
    Son Hargrove Jr, Hanover Circuit Court Clerk;
    Son-in-law/ convicted druck driver in position of a gun, Hanover Circuit Judge;
    Bill Bolling, Insurance Fraud VP, Senator Hanover.

    Hanover strongest Republican county.

    Please!

  9. Not Guy Incognito Avatar
    Not Guy Incognito

    But what about the important issues? The superlatives of the night? Like who was the best dressed? Best panelist?

    If you have the time, sneak on over the NGI-land for the real scoop!

    (It’s too late for me to try to condense it for y’all here).

    Enjoy!

  10. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Did any of ou notice the theme Kaine used throughout the debate. Whether intentionally or not, Kaine tended to blame every shortfall of his administration or failing in our society on the Bush administration and the US congress. I found it fairly simple-minded, but perhaps he thinks some polling would make this tack work?

  11. Tom James (aka Brave Hart) Avatar
    Tom James (aka Brave Hart)

    More on the Kilgore/Bolling/Hanover county corruption, connection.

    http://www.opcva.com/watchdog/102303b.html

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