AL-05 Candidates Debate Tonight

Conference call with Cheryl Baswell Guthrie (4.00 / 1)

Last night like all good progressives I was watching the Tigers play the Mariners, and right after Big Marcus Thames went yard with the bases juiced(a grand slam) my phone rang and the caller ID showed " Committee to El" 256-539-0655. It was a robo-call telling me CBG was having a conference call right then and I could join in by pushing #1 right now.

well I hit #1 and was instantly transferred to the conference call. CBG was answering question from the callers. First let me tell you, that TV voice is real. CBG said the war in Eyeraq  was the frontline in the war on terror, she said we couldn't bring them home all at once, but we should steadily bring them home and spend to build up Eyeraq to where they could defend themselves. She was for Social security and medicare and expanded veterans benefits but wanted to cut spending(where?) and taxes. 

Her solution to rising gas prices is to drill in ANWAR and build more refineries. She seemed to agree with all callers, but her answers often did not match up with the question. 

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 10:56:21 AM CDT

video of CBG answers (4.00 / 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

 

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 11:01:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

How cool is that? (0.00 / 0)

Of all the voters in district 5, they called you!  I'll bet you vote in every primary election, don't you?

She seemed to agree with all callers, but her answers often did not match up with the question.

I used to work for a guy like that.  It was kind of pleasant for a little while -- then reality set in. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 11:06:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I just thought she liked me. (4.00 / 1)

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 11:20:40 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

We got a call too! (4.00 / 1)

Or at least one from the "committee to elect...." on the caller ID.

But when I picked up, there was nobody there.  Guess they realized they screwed up when they called our house!

We got called Monday by a pollster wanting to ask "3 quick questions about the Republican primary on June 3rd."

I told her I was happy to discuss it, but wouldn't be voting for any weasel Republicans in the primary or otherwise.  She laughed, thanked me, and hung up.

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 11:30:58 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Reducing gas prices (0.00 / 0)

Cheryl Baswell Guthrie wants to go back 10 years and drill in ANWR and off the Gulf Coast.

David Maker says conservation -- we're competing with India and China

Griffith says ANWR is an option, solar, look at nuclear. 

McKee says there isn't a short term solution. Stop the trade with China.  Believes in federal government spending on research.  We need to get off fossil fuels.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 18:41:13 PM CDT

Iraq (0.00 / 0)

Griffith says we're in a religious war.  We have achieved some military success.  Shouldn't publicly discuss timetables , but American people are disappointed and he is willing to discuss way to end it.

McKee says only acceptable plan is a swift and decisive victory.  Get in there and win it.  We can't have democracy there

Parker: Great cost to America.  We can't cut and run.  Must listen to generals on the ground.  Different cultures.  Unstable -- can't leave it that way.  Make sure Al Quaeda doesn't come back on our soil. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 18:48:39 PM CDT

Grade health care system (0.00 / 0)

Huff: C

Barry:  Best health care there is, problem is cost. No grade.

Maker:  Fix medicaid abuses, then convert it to cover working poor. No grade

Mancuso: 47 million witout health insurance.  Not for national health care.  Continue medicare and medicaid and SCHIP

Griffith:  A+ if you have insurance, F if you don't.  That's the problem.  The one cost in business that can't be controlled -- have to solve it.

McKee:  Can't give a grade because I don't understand our health care system.  Biggest problem is government involvement.  Cheap drugs from Canada.  I don't know what the problem is.

Parker:  Struggling with health care costs.  People from all over the world come here to get the best health care.  Adjust programs for what someone needs.   Preventive medicine.  Spend too much in late part of life

Cheryl:  Government can't manage VA care, medicaid and medicare.  Individual savings plans.  Consumer choice. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 18:57:08 PM CDT

re: healthcare (0.00 / 0)

Senator Griffith had the best answer.  He understands the root of the problem and the potential we have as a nation to truly care for our peple.

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by: Sean @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 20:09:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fair Tax (0.00 / 0)

Barry:  Support it.  It will help with trade.  People will know where taxes go.

Maker: Don't believe it's equitable.

Mancuso:  FT has wonderful points.  Will level playing field for all.  Has merits.  Will take a revolution

Griffith:  No one likes taxes.  Need to be able to understand tax system.  We can do this w/o the FT.  Negative impact on senior citizens.

McKee:  I'm infatuated with the fair tax bill.  Economy in a death spiral.  Power out of congress to the people.

Parker:  FT is simple.  Concerns with FT.  Wealth is in homes -- FT would jeapordize home owner tax credits.

Cheryl:  It's not going to happen tomorrow.  Couldn't pass it when GOP controlled House and Senate.  Make 2001 -03 cuts permanent.

Huff:  I'm also running on the FT.  We can pass it in 5 years.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:04:51 PM CDT

Future of medicare and social security (4.00 / 1)

David maker SS requires we not pull money out of it for other programs

Mancuso: fellowship in HC policy Revisit programs Make sure

Griffith enourmous debt threatens these programs. put house in order.

Mckee fair tax fair tax fair tax  Fair tax  sends 40% to SS & medicare?

WAyne parker We have to do something about SS & medicare.  House in order.  up or down vote

CBG 2017 - will spend more than taken in for SS.  private accounts.  family choice

Mark huff privatize SS

geo. barry  SS depletion by 2019.  We need to keep our promises.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:10:08 PM CDT

re: privatization (4.00 / 1)

As David Cross put it, privatizing Social Security is just as good of an idea as going to the horse track and betting it all on Papa's Moustache in the 3rd.

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by: Sean @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 22:00:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Buttercup's a sure thing in the 6th! (0.00 / 0)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 22:33:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Immigration (0.00 / 0)

Mancuso:  Big problem.  No amnesty, no anchor babies.  14th Amendment should be looked at.

Griffith:  Illegal immigration is not where we need to be.  Feds pushing problem down onto states.  Insure that Feds have will to secure borders.

McKee:  Make it more painful for them to be here than where they come from.  Oklahoma law good.

Parker:  National security issue.  Secure border.  Tax healthcare, strain economy.  Means to verify.  Deport.

Cheryl:  13 million immigrants, 27% in prison.  More patrols, more barriers.  No DL, No SS cards, No welfare benefits.

Huff:  Enforce existing laws.They will deport themselves.

Barry:  They are rational people.  Enforce laws, secure borders.

Maker:  Problem is with business.  If there was no advantage for employing these people they wouldn't have jobs and they wouldn't come here.  The problem is with business and the businesses that employ illegals. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:14:02 PM CDT

Baswell Guthrie says (0.00 / 0)

She will sit on the Armed Services Committee and move on to the Appropriations Committee.

When you dream, dream big. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:17:03 PM CDT

Can she do that, within her 10 yrs of term limit? (4.00 / 1)

Maybe the voice is her secret weapon.  She'll get on those committees because people want her to quit talking!

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 20:22:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

How do you attract young professionals to federal jobs in Tennessee valley (4.00 / 1)

Parker Griffith Improve schools, that's what parents look at!

Mckee - quality of work - too much good work goes to contractors.  Need more good work for govt employees

Wayne parker Tennessee valley is the greatest! Better marketing!

CBG I will serve on Armed svc ommitee then go to Appropriations .  Quit spending money on Illegal immigrants, to build our economy here.  

Mark Huff  If jobs are here, they will come

George Berry: marketing!

Dr. David Maker:  Make sure space efforts continue - NASA.  Also, attract green industries.

Angelo Mancuso: NASA, Redstone, Technology, blah blah.   Get more jobs in western part of the district.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:22:11 PM CDT

I'm sure we aren't the only people who noticed (4.00 / 1)

that the Republican candidates hate "big government" and government spending when it's going to poor people, old people, kids, or anyone not living in a mcmansion.

But the LOVE federal money when it's flowing into Alabama. 

McKee: we need MORE government employees!
CBG: we need MORE defense money coming here!

etc... etc....

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:15:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I noticed (4.00 / 2)

As soon as I get a minute I will be composing a Redeye Roundup and   and a Redeye Rant on that subject and others.  My trip to "Goat Hill" was a real eye (pun indended) opener.  I have pictures too!  Can someone please tell me how to upload(?) them on the blog?

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:22:19 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

set up an account on photobucket or flickr (4.00 / 1)

I use photobucket (http://www.photobucket.com)

Both are free.  Then, upload your pictures there and once they're up, there's HTML code below each picture you can cut and paste.

When you're doing your diary and want to include a picture, click on the little icon that looks like a tree.  It opens a window where you can add the URL for the image.  Then, go to photobucket and copy the code from the "direct link" section.  Paste it into the LIA window, click INSERT, and you're set.  If you'd like to have text wrap around it, then go to the alignment drop down box and select either left (to have text appear to the right) or right (to have text appear to the left of the image). The "left" and "right" options are all the way at the bottom of the drop down box.

Hope that helps!

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:57:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

If what Countrycat said doesn't work for you (0.00 / 0)

email me the photos and I'll upload them for you.  Looking forward to hearing about your trip to Goat Hill.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 11:55:55 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

McKee asks Cheryl (0.00 / 0)

What problem would you solve in Congress?

Cheryl, bring Fed $$ to diferent commands.  Make earmarks more transparent and accountable.  Address illegal immigration and National Security.

McKee:  She didn't answer question, nothing to rebut. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:22:18 PM CDT

Mark Huff questioned by Wayne Parker (0.00 / 0)

Asked about banning eearmarks - he say's he's agin em.  Mentioned bridge to nowhere.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:23:34 PM CDT

Cheryl asks Parker (0.00 / 0)

Parker:  What will you do to make govt more transparent and limit lobbyist

Chamber of Commerce.  Met with lobbyists from NA.  They were concerned about NA. They can be good.

Cheryl:  I believe in absolute public disclosure for interest groups. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:24:51 PM CDT

Shrink & reduce govt influence Huff asks Parker Griffith (0.00 / 0)

Griffith says its up to us whether govt influence is good or bad.

Huff says Fair tax, close Dept of Education 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:26:11 PM CDT

Huff asks Griffith (0.00 / 0)

About limiting government.

Griffith:  Gov't can be a good influence or a bad influence and we get to decide.  The size of gov't is up to us.  One man one vote.

Huff:  Rep. job is to represent the people.  Talking to people want reduced gov't, fair tax, close Dept. of Education. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:26:56 PM CDT

Geo Berry asks CBG about North American Union (0.00 / 0)

CBG says trade is our pal.  Berry says he is against NAU.

Watch out for the black helicopters!! 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:27:38 PM CDT

But there's no such thing as the NAU! (4.00 / 1)

At least, according to snopes.com

What else is Berry against that doesn't actually exist?

• cat/dog hybrid animals?
• the secret plan to move the Amercian government to the North Pole?
• George Bush's ability to speak in complete sentences?
• a vaccine for stupidity?

 

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:20:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Maker for Griffith (0.00 / 0)

How did you vote on recent salary increase for legislature and health insurance for legislators?

Griffith:  My entire salary goes to public schools here.  It is now possible for many people to participate in legislature because of salary increase.  Health insurance did not pass.

Maker:  I guess you voted for it.  I wish you had spent the same am't of time on getting Education bill passed. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:29:03 PM CDT

Mancuso asks Wayne Parker what he's done since his last loss in 96 (0.00 / 0)

Lobbied for "death tax" removal amongst other things

Insurance agent for companies 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:29:54 PM CDT

Griffith for McKee (0.00 / 0)

Taxes, remove sales tax on groceries.  Flat tax would put 30% sales tax on everything.  Is that fair?

McKee:  Fair tax is not flat.  There would be prebates for poor people.

Griffith: On a fixed income would suffer under that kind of tax.  Need reform but fair or flat tax is not a good one. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:31:39 PM CDT

Huff and Mancuso background (4.00 / 1)

Huff - I was a weird kid, I liked classical music and politics.   He likes the fair tax and hates the dept of education.  If you don't agree with me you must be a socialist.

Mancuso - preparing for 15 years.  Health care fellowship through some med school - wonder who paid for it.  Most experience since he was a state rep.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:33:21 PM CDT

Huff had me going there at first... (4.00 / 1)

I was also a weird kid who like classical music and politics.  Wow.  Could I be I'd found a soulmate?

alas, no.

Our little moment of kinship died when he said that about the socialists.  Cuz that was my other weird kid thing....

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:22:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Abortion, basic position (0.00 / 0)

Parker:  Pro life.  Must protect life of most helpless.  Sonograms.

Cheryl:  Pro life.  Begins at conception.

Huff:  Pro life.  State issues

Barry:  Pro life.

Maker:  Oppose abortion except in special cases.

Mancuso:  Pro life.  

Griffith:  Pro-life,

McKee:  Pro life, not a federal issue.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:35:17 PM CDT

This rapid-fire segment (4.00 / 1)

Seems to be reciting the 94 newt gingrich  contract with america.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:36:25 PM CDT

Is david maker going to make it til the end (4.00 / 1)

He looks like he is melting

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:39:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Term limits (0.00 / 0)

Cheryl:  Support term limits, 8 to 12 year limit.

Huff:  Term limit 18 years

Barry - 8 -10 years

Maker: 10 years

Mancuso, Griffith 8-10 years

McKee:  12 years.  Limit consecutive terms

Parker:  We have term limits called elections

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:36:55 PM CDT

re: term limits (4.00 / 1)

I've got news for you, Peanut.  An election isn't a term limit... it's a term.

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by: Sean @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 20:11:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wayne Parker came out against term limits (4.00 / 2)

Says Cramer, Flippo, and Bob Jones served a long time and well.

Interesting. 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:37:32 PM CDT

He's young (4.00 / 2)

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:39:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

No child left behine. Change? (0.00 / 0)

Huff:  Close dept of education

Barry:  Oppose NCLB.  Hidners teachers

Maker:  Should be modified.  Schools should have accountability.

Mancuso:  Not for NCLB.  Standards and accountability

Griffith:  Unfunded mandate.  NCLB is failure.  Either fund it or get rid of it.

McKee:  Awful get gov't out of schools

Parker:  Abolish DOE

Cheryl:  Less federal involvement.  Administrators are overexhumed? 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:39:51 PM CDT

Cheryl Baswell Guthrie just said teachers have been over-exhumed (4.00 / 2)

Is that kind of like being dug out of a grave too many times?

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:40:04 PM CDT

kind of like most republican ideas.... (4.00 / 1)

over-exhumed

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:24:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Would you support amendment banning same sex marriage (0.00 / 0)

Barry:  No I wouldn't. State issue

Maker:  Trivializes Constitution

Mancuso:  State issue

Griffith:  State issue, trivializes Constitution.  Supports trad. marriage

McKee:  Not a federal issue. 

Parker:  Support trad. marriage.  State issue.  No reciprocit

Cheryl:  Marriage between man and woman.  Object to court making law

Huff:  Doesn't belong in Const.  You have civil unions.  Marriage is religious as well as civil contract.  Violates church and state separation. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:45:04 PM CDT

Wayne Parker just pointed (0.00 / 0)

out he wants to be part of a revolution that is not a Democratic Revolution and not a Republican Revolution.  Running away from the GOP?

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:46:44 PM CDT

Do you suppose Wayne Parker (4.00 / 1)

Is hoping to ride Obama's coat-tails?

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 20:19:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

closing segment (0.00 / 0)

Wayne Parker I love North Al. Toxic tone in DC.  Americans are struggling - Iraq, gas, health care.  Non partisan!

Mark Huff America is good but could be great if we just closed the Dept of Education and the IRS. No socialism, either.

Angelo Mancuso - critical time, America needs the experience that he gained while being a state rep.  Memphis to Atlanta hiway, yay!

CBG - Sacrifices our men & women are doing?  Get the immigrants off welfare.  Armed Svc and appropriations, here I come!

 

Mckee - We are at war with our government.  Term limits and fair tax will bring power to the people.  Wolverines!! 

Griffith  Wherever you live, Fackler, Scottsboro, Huntsville - we can solve these problems, we put a man on the moon.  Health care, early ed.  We are the pace car.  Happy Warrior

Dr. Maker - World is changing - China, India.  quit funding our enemies with oil money.  End china MFN.  Go green.  He's just hoping this is over.

George Barry I'm just happy to be here.  Government is the problem.  Put me in the government! 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:52:49 PM CDT

Panel bloviating (0.00 / 0)

Convincing people of 5th we can get roads and schools we need are challenges.

Mostly agreement on big issue.

Jess Brown surprised on level of agreement.  Voters will be interested in meat and potato issues.  Gas prices.

Agreement is theme.  Can't tell party by listening.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 19:55:19 PM CDT

When Flippo retired, and Bud Cramer ran for his first term (4.00 / 1)

I was not paying attention.  Does anyone who was remember whether WHNT or any other station in the district did a candidate forum?

I thought it was pretty good 

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Thu May 22, 2008 at 20:12:39 PM CDT

All Candidates Think Alike on the Issues (4.00 / 3)

This is the banner headline for today's Huntsville Behind the Times.  They might want to read LiA.  I didn't get a chance to watch the debate but based on what I read here, they don't all think alike on the issues. 

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:00:23 AM CDT

Well, the R's trotted out a lot of the usual conservative cliches (4.00 / 1)

But that's more like memorizing than thinking.

A couple of times, Wayne Parker sounded like he was running away from the GOP ("not Republican solutions, not Democratic solutions").  And Cheryl Baswell Guthrie slammed the Congress for something they did not get  done between 1995 and 2005 "when we were strong".  So, there is evidence of thinking among the Repubs, and their thinking is that this is not a good year to be a Repub...

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Fri May 23, 2008 at 10:13:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]