|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
07:10 PM - Debate @ Rose State Carson is off to a smooth start, enumerating the various ways in which he will “fight for Oklahoma” to receive more federal tax dollars. Coburn, by contrast, is off to a rocky start, stumbling over his opening statement about Oklahoma’s (non-monetary) values and his affiliation with George’s Own Party. It gets worse, though. The first question was, in effect, why did Coburn vote against support for victims of the OKC bombing. Coburn’s answer was straightforward enough; he said the money was already budgeted through FEMA. Carson’s first question was on prayer in public. He answered equivocally, supporting every student’s right to pray as he or she pleases without taking a stance on the judicial/legislative subtext of the question. Are the candidates against abortion and gun control? Both candidates answer in the affirmative, although Coburn is clearly more enthusiastic about it. I find myself wondering if Carson has read his party’s platform on these issues. The next question is basically fluff on constituent services. I’ll take a break on this one. Coburn is asked about his position on the presidential advisory council on HIV/AIDS and how it relates to his anti-”gay agenda” agenda. He artfully dodges the dynamic tension inherent in the question. Carson will fight “tooth and nail, night and day” to get more federal dollars for public schools. Coburn argues that fighting will not help unless one is willing to trim the fat from the federal budget as a “citizen legislator in Washington.” Both candidates looked good on this question. I almost completely tuned out on next question on until Coburn went on the attack, claiming that the new deal in energy policy is being stalled by evil Democrats. Carson disagrees as to who is holding up the bill’s passage, and makes the case for bipartisanship. It would seem that he got the better of it on this exchange. Coburn remains on the defensive as he is questioned on underfunding Okie roads. He responds with an attack on deficit spending (ironic in light of his opening statement praising Bush’s plan for America) and by noting that he managed to get more “cents back out of every dollar” during his tenure in the U.S. House. The crowd seems appreciative. Now they are getting on to each other over negative campaigning. Half of the crowd is actually booing, though it is hard to tell which half. Yee haw! Rehashing Social Security. First quotable quote of the evening comes from Coburn, “They need to be thinking about the next generation instead of the next election.” Carson calls Social Security “one of the most successful programs that this nation has ever seen.” He may well have cinched my vote for Coburn right then and there. As a result of a query on teacher pay, Carson and Coburn mix it up on the role of the federal government in public education. Here we have a genuine difference of opinion. Predictably, Carson wants much more federal funding and regulation, and Coburn wants far less. Neither addresses the fact that teacher pay in Oklahoma is roughly commensurate with pay for most other fields, on account of the lowered cost of living. Coburn comes out and says it, “Carson is a liberal.” Coburn calmly shoots back, “Everybody in American politics is a liberal compared to Tom.” Zing! Carson does expend some effort trying to refute the charge of liberalism, though, and I would think that this rapid backpedaling away from the Democratic party demotivates the activists who so avidly supported Carson by demonstrating outside this evening. Carson mentions that Coburn embarrases our state with gaffes like the one which made the papers worldwide on Monday, regarding rampant lesbianism in Oklahoma schools. Good one, Tom! Coburn knows that Oklahomans overwhelmingly prefer Bush over Kerry, and he rightfully capitalizes on his partisan connections to the Bush team by asking Carson whom he supports for president and why. Carson artfully dodges and once again plays the bipartisan card, claiming that he will work with either party to roll the porkbarrels home to Oklahoma. Good for him! Closing statements offered a recap of the candidates respective positions: Carson is going to fight for Oklahoma dollars, Coburn is going to fight for Oklahoma values. Honestly, I cannot tell which proposition I personally find more disturbing. (
Progress, therefore, is not an accident, but a necessity... it is part of nature. by free online poker In this winter season, its good to warm yourself |
|||||||||
