Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

Maybe This Says the Most About the Debate

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by

James A. Bacon
in

When the editorial page of the Washington Post grudgingly concedes that Jerry Kilgore wasn’t clubbed like a baby seal at yesterday’s debate, I think it’s possible to get a real sense of who “won” the Greenbrier debate:

But the mismatch that Democrats had hoped for, and Republicans had feared, did not materialize.

Call it a draw, with the psychological edge to Mr. Kilgore.

I’m sure it pained that writer to pen those words. One has to wonder why Democrats always put so much faith in debates, hype their capabilities, and always gleefully shackle their opponent with such low expectations that it is impossible not to exceed them. Republicans gladly play along and usually benefit, as appears to be the case from the Greenbrier.

Update: Poli Amateur has a good survey of debate coverage in Virginia papers over at Commonwealth Watch.

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Comments

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Will,

    There appears to be a dem candidate willing to do the debate challenge against an opponent who speaks for a living. Lowell Fulk has been described by his opponent’s campaign supporters as a “dumb hayseed farmer” who will “get his clock cleaned” whenever they appear in debate.

    The outcome remains to be witnessed, but Fulk appears unafraid to climb off his tractor and go head to head with a professional speaker .

    With such an apparent advantage, I wonder why his opponent has been so reluctant.

  2. Will Vehrs Avatar
    Will Vehrs

    I haven’t been following this campaign, but I’ll certainly watch for any debates.

    As for the “hayseed farmer” remark, this is an instance where an “Anonymous” commenter has absolutely no standing to quoted and no candidate should be saddled with the implications of that remark except the anonymous person.

  3. GOPHokie Avatar
    GOPHokie

    anon 9:59, Matt is going to debate Fulk. They are going to have 6 debates. Fulk is just making hay of this because he wanted 6 MORE debates which he picked the place, moderator and the questions. Matt wasn’t going to submit to that. Why do you dems think the entire campaign should always be one debate every 2 days? I know why, its b/c our grassroots is too strong for you guys to handle.
    So I ask you anon, how many debates should Matt and Fulk have?

  4. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Wow, two of my least favorite things crammed into one alias. GOP & Hokie.

  5. Will Vaught Avatar
    Will Vaught

    The 26th distict house race actually has the makings of an interesting – and fortunatley for democrats, a competitive race. Since Fulk narrowly lost the last time to an entrenched incumbent, this could be good for (the few) Valley Democrats. The 26th District is in the heart of Viginia’s GOP territory (aka the blood of the red state) The fact that Fulk will likely have a decent shot to win, is a minor miracle within itself. Especially when you consider that Georgoe Allen’s once chewed tobacco could run in the 26th district and be guranteed at minimum 45 % of the vote…

    Also, like many other people, I find professional “motivational speakers” sort of creepy, don’t know why? Just do…

    Hokie GOP? That hurts, don’t do that to my Hokies, after all Warner saved our asses…a {insert GOP Governor name here} UVA alumni would of left our asses out to die a slow painful death in the Big Least, and enjoyed every minute of it.

  6. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    FWIW- Much of Lohr’s professional work involves education, where he is speaking in schools and the like. He spent much time honing his public speaking craft and working with students while he was in the Future Farmers of America at the local, state and national level.

    I know the mental picture one gets when you hear Motivational Speaker, but thats not the sort of thing he is involved in.

  7. GOPHokie Avatar
    GOPHokie

    what would you guys like me to change my name to?

  8. Addison Avatar
    Addison

    gophokie, don’t change a thing. There is no higher calling in life than to be both GOP and Hokie.

  9. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Lohr’s work in education? He was a teacher not even long enough to become tenured? Two years? And yet he wants to tell teachers how to be better at what they do? How arrogant is that? From what I understand, he is responsible for Rockingham teachers and school bus drivers NOT recieving a 6% raise this year even though everyone on the board of supervisors was willing to go there… Nice, really nice…

  10. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Excuse me but don’t the Kilgore signs and such post the colors of orange and blew? Wouldn’t that make him a UVa kinda fella?

  11. Will Vaught Avatar
    Will Vaught

    Though I’ve only lived in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area for just over two years, it appears that though Lohr might have enjoyed being a member of the Rockingham County School Board, he didn’t like it enough to regulary attend the board’s meetings. I don’t have the minutes from all the RCSB meetings (nor do I want them), but just somthing to ponder, if it is indeed accurate.

    Though I’m sure it is an honor to serve on a local school board, I guess it would just be an ok holding pattern until you can run for some office, thus one could easily blow it off, especially when you consider the meetings conficlt with Moday night football…

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