I listened to it from the other room- and I was struck by how many familiar phrases I heard coming out of their mouths. Starting to think that there is some master list of talking points and scripts for political candidates.
"Hi, my name is (insert name here) and I am fighting for the working families of (insert city, district, or state here). I promise that I will bring (leadership, change, jobs, a fence) to our community, while my opponent has clearly supported the (policies of Bush, illegal immigrants, terrorists, special interests). Together, we can (move forward, bring change, fight Washington) and take back our country from (Bush, illegal immigrants, terrorists, special interests). Vote for me November 7th, and I promise I will (cut taxes, create jobs, build a fence, fight special interests). Thank you.
Mike Bouchard looks like he just can't wait to get to Washington and be Bill Frist's most favorite lap dog. Nothing but attacks on Stabenow, no plans of his own. To hear him complain about the policy of his own party and blame Stabenow for it was quite hilarious. You just know he would fold over like a house of cards for anything that the national GOP proposes, and it will be business as usual.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate challenger Mike Bouchard, trailing in polls, got aggressive with incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow during their first debate Sunday.
Stabenow fired right back in a rare joint appearance less than a month before the Nov. 7 election.
The candidates sparred over Michigan's economy, the war in Iraq and other issues in a fast-paced, hour-long debate scheduled to air Sunday night on a tape-delay basis on Public Broadcasting Service stations statewide.
Bouchard criticized Stabenow's record on the economy, noting that Michigan has lost thousands of jobs in recent years.
Stabenow said Bouchard would support the "failed policies" of the Bush administration and has failed to offer solutions of his own. Stabenow defended her economic stances, including a plan to have a trade prosecutor enforce U.S. trade agreements with other nations to protect U.S. jobs.
"We are in a fight for our way of life in this country," Stabenow said in the Grand Rapids studio of WGVU-TV, site of the debate. "We are in a fight for the middle class."
In an interesting twist, Rachel Ruiz tried to play peacemaker and asked each of them to say something nice about the other. I think they both managed to get in an attack while praising their opponent.
Stabenow clearly has command of the issues- and we need to take back the Senate. Yes, she has made a few horrific votes in her time, but the good far outweighs the bad, and continued Republican control will only bring more destruction. She has my vote.