Grimes, McConnell tangle in debate

[alp227]

Last edited Tue Oct 14, 2014, 01:52 AM - Edit history (4)

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Monday's first and only debate in the 2014 U.S. Senate race between U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was notable for the contentious nature of the exchanges but not the content of the discussion.

Viewers watching the debate, held at KET in Lexington, saw the two candidates stick to the talking points they both have been focusing on for the past year and a half — but they were also treated to several volleys that indicated the two really don't like one another.

Grimes on numerous occasions cut off McConnell to rebut statements he had made.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2014/10/13/grimes-mcconnell-face-debate-tonight/17205047/

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AP: Kentucky Senate debate has Obama focus

Cincinnati Enquirer: McConnell and Grimes debate gets personal

Lexington Herald-Leader: Mitch McConnell and Alison Lundergan Grimes take their talking points face to face

Video of the debate: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017220514

[Old Crow]

1. Did anyone get a chance to watch this?

How'd Alison do? I've read the stories, but I'd like to hear the opinion of someone who actually saw it.

[bluestateguy]

2. It's a 6 year Senate term

The term begins on January 3, 2015.

And President Barack Obama leaves office on January 20, 2017.

Maybe we're a little out of proportion here on the Obama thing?

[kyburbonkid]

3. Great Debate. Old Pumpkin face showed his partisanship over Ky

What a great debate. Alison and Mitch sitting side by side and moderated by one of KET's best. From the answers McConnell gave, you can see he's the quintessential asshole in the mix. He was running against Obama on health care, on the economy (which he blames on Obama), and pretty much everything for the past six years was Obama. So when called on it, like you filibustered minimum wage, filibustered this, that, etc, the old fart looked like a dear in headlights!

He had his come-backs but it was very partisan. Alison on the other hand was well schooled with her talking points. She was focused and articulated her points well. She looked fabulous but held back. She has been having a problem arguing her case for pro-coal and at the same-time recognizing the global climate warming problem. (Indeed, Sept 2014 was the hottest Sept ever recorded for all records since 1880). As a KY citizen, I once saw the importance of Coal mining economically to the area, but global warming is the serious deal. It's the bull in the china shop problem for fossil fuel. A bargain needs to be made to keep the coal in the ground and our workers healthily employed. Unlike Mitch, he won't even touch the issue ("I'm not a scientist" denial-ism) just to please winger base.

Everybody here is tired of the old Mitch pitch. Go Alison!!!

[alp227]

4. Great summary. Welcome to DU!

KET has uploaded highlights to YouTube and should have full video on their website. Thanks for posting your take on the debate!

[Stevepol]

8. She didn't hold back, she was not allowed to talk!

I watched the last part of the debate and the moderator kept asking McC questions and promising that he'd be right back to Grimes but instead just kept asking McC questions. Admittedly, a lot of the questions were based on facts that showed the errors of McC's position, but the longer you listen to a specious argument, the more reasonable it seems. The part of the debate I saw, I know McC got at least twice as much face time as Grimes. One of the reasons that Grimes began butting in was that the moderator so seldom called on her. It was as if the moderator had his issues with McC and was bound and determined to get his issues addressed.

When Grimes got her time, she used it to very good advantage. She definitely pointed out how her position differs from McC's.

But one thing I can't understand is why the Dems are so wary about defending the ACA. If they don't want to defend Obama, fine. Use the DEMOCRATS instead of Obama: the DEMOCRATS' Affordable Care Act, the DEMOCRATS' minimum wage bill, the DEMOCRATS' stimulus. At least get the facts out there. The cost of insurance under the ACA is rising, but it's rising A LOT LESS THAN IT WAS RISING BEFORE the DEMOCRATS passed the ACA, no thanks to anybody from the party of NO, esp McC. The ACA has been a success, maybe not as great a success as it wd have been if it had been a single-payer system, but definitely a lot better than it would be today without it. Forget Obama if you think he's going to hurt you politically, but for God's sake get the FACTS out there about healthcare and the ACA and the other things. The minimum wage, e.g., has been shown again and again to actually increase jobs. It doesn't kill jobs. There've been a few studies that indicate that sometimes a small number of jobs are lost but a large majority of the studies and real-life experiences of minimum wage increases indicate that it INCREASES JOBS. Why is that so hard to say???

[davidpdx]

5. I might have to watch it tonight if it's been put online

I hope this helps Grimes because I really want her to win. She was one of the few I donated to.

[alp227]

6. It's online & at V&M

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017220514

[davidpdx]

7. Thanks

Just saw it on the main page coming in. I'll kick and record to help keep it visible.

[demwing]

9. Were there any game changing moments?

anything we'll see replayed on the nightly news?

Also, how did Grimes handle follow up on her vote for/against Obama?