spazeboy

Sneak Peek: Today’s Debate

All five candidates for U.S. Senate participated in a debate that was taped today, but will air tomorrow night at 7pm on WFSB. After originally barring press from even attending the debate, WFSB relented and allowed reporters to attend, although video from the debate won’t be available until after it airs (presumably).

I’m hearing that Ned Lamont did very well, and here’s a screenshot from WTNH of a Lamont quote from the debate:

I’ve also heard that Joe Lieberman had his mic cut every time he tried to talk over his time limit. He’ll say anything, disregard any rule, and disrespect any person to hold onto power.

Alan Schlesinger, it seems, may be taken more seriously after his performance on Monday and today are taken into account by Republicans.

Both news stations that reported on the debate this evening barely mentioned (if at all) the other two candidates participating, Ralph Ferrucci of the Green Party and Timothy Knibbs of the Concerned Citizens Party. I’ll take their lead, and leave the analysis of their debate performance to others who are interested.

LamontBlog:

Ned was at his best yet. Joe again looked like wanted to be anywhere but on a stage defending his record. Schlesinger continued to hit Joe hard. Schieffer kept on having to cut Joe’s mic, because he was running over time. The pro-Ned crowd outside was huge and boisterous. The media ran to Ned and Alan afterwards, but Joe was nowhere to be seen.

Some Pre- and Post-Debate Pics:

Notes from the Official Blog:

You can also tell [Lieberman's] campaign has been totally unprepared for Alan Schlesinger. Joe couldn’t decide whether to focus his vitriol and arrogant venom on the Democratic candidate, Ned Lamont, or the other Republican in the race. He looked defeated and uncomfortable on stage. He kept running over his alotted time and Bob Scheiffer, the moderator, had to cut off his mic and repeat mulitple times that Joe’s “time was up.”

Which leads me to the Alan Schlesinger, and the exchange of the debate:

Schlesinger: If you had someone doing a job for eighteen years, and after eighteen years, their record was one of complete failure, what would you do? What do you think should happen with that person?. . . Ned, you’re a businessman: what would you say about someone like that?

Lamont: I’d say, “It’s time to go”

Alan was Alan. He spoke forcefully and passionately about core Republican values. Some might say on style, the debate was once again a victory for Alan – – on substance, for Ned.

A tip of the hat to Timothy Knibbs and Ralph Ferrucci from the Concerned Citizens and Green Parties. It isn’t often “third party” candidates get a chance to share the spotlight, and it’s appropriate they were given that opportunity this afternoon.

One more note. On television, when Ned Lamont is on the screen it says “Democrat.” When Joe Lieberman is on screen, his party ID is “Connecticut for Lieberman.”

I especially like that last part.