McClintock won the debate

[depakid]

In terms of helping himself and increasing his share of the electorate. McClintock came across as extremely knowledgeable on the issues, he parroted Republican positions and prejudices and used all the Right's buzzwords. In question after question, McClintock responded with an articulate, often detailed take. Of course, most of what he said was dead wrong or intellectually dishonest, but accuracy is not the criteria for "winning the debate." McClintock proved to be the classic conservative Republican and he was quite the contrast to

Arnold, who came across from any objective viewpoint as a shallow, uninformed, opportunistic bully. It was truly painful to watch. He scored points against Bustamonte with his "you never owned a business" and his ambush line of "you've never signed the front of a check, only the back of one," but that's as far as it went. His repeated spend-spend-spend tax-tax-tax drivel was so in conflict with his statement that he'd "take care of childrens' health insurance" that I screamed at the TV "so where ya going to get the money?" Also, WTF was he talking about (in his opposition to undocumented immigrants having drivers licenses) when he stated that the DMV doesn't require finger prints? Ever had a California license Arnold? Hello? I can't imagine that this performance didn't hurt him- although the media will surely spin it his way, because his candidacy and his potential governorship have "entertainment value" and increases their ratings.

As much as I like Arianna, she just couldn't stay on point. Between her digressions, her bickering with Arnold and her Bush bashing, she simply didn't address enough of the questions that directly affect Californians. She was much better when she discussed issues like S-2 (large-employer mandated health care for those working over 100 hours/month) and its lack of cost controls. But over and over again she strayed. OK Arianna, I agree with you, but stop the finger wagging, stop the nagging, and answer the questions. I think Arianna loses a few voters.

Camejo was great. First time I've heard the guy. Wow. Articulate, rational, with straightforward detail and passion. He made me proud to be a Green. I wish he had elaborated more on his universal health plan and exactly why it actually saves money- having studied healthcare economics, I'm betting absolutely that it does. His "fair tax" statements were dead on, though I'm not so sure I agree with his assertion that they would lead to an $18 billion surplus- not with all the sensible and responsible things he would have state government do. My prejudice yearns to say that Camejo picked up some support, but objectively I think he stays the same. No gain or loss.

Same with Bustamonte. He came across as a competent administrator and an affable fellow, particularly in contrast with Davis. Not too much excitement from him, except when he's talking about Latino issues. He got hit pretty hard by Arnold and didn't have a retort, but that's pretty much his style. He very much represents stability and the staus quo. He took a nice swipe at Wallmart, but other than that, I can't remember anything particularly quotable that he said, which is both good and bad. I think he stays about where he is, maybe picking up some voters who are getting disgusted by this spectacle.

Speaking of spectacles, the moderator, Stan Stathom, was so transparently biased that even Tim Russert would have done a better job. Has this man no sense of fairness and integrity at all? Worse, he exerted little control over the participants. Thumbs down to that guy, who I predict will never moderate a campaign debate again, despite being the CEO of the California Association of Broadcasters.

[Girlfriday]

1. I disagree ......

IMHO, Camejo won the debate.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Both McClintock and Camejo won!

:)

[Girlfriday]

3. Can you have two winners?

Just askin'

[Starpass]

4. stop posting such stupid observations.......

didn't you get the memo??---ARNOLD WON. Just like Bush won the debates. That's all I've been hearing from the whores last night and all this morning. Only people who think can figure out who did well in those debates. For the rest, they have the "results" all cooked up, toasted on a sesame seed bun and shoved down their throats. I expect the next poll to put Arnold out in front. We need to get all our big wigs out there constantly for the next two weeks.

[blondeatlast]

5. Gad, Ahnold was awful, as was Huff. of course, I'm hearing how good Ahnold

was, too. :wtf:

Camejo was very good, but lacked drama. I think Bustamante really proved himself.

The moderator was so horribly, pathetically, horrible, I'm surprised they didn't get into fisticuffs.

[Brucey]

6. Won? Define the term.

Objectively, I think Arnie the Termite-Eater won because a) he did not have a seizure or fall down drunk, b) he talked tough nonsense, which young men like to hear (his Hummer, for example) and all he needs is about 30% of the vote (he'll get some repugs and lots of young men who never vote and never will vote again), and c) after the debate all the media whores said he won, which is all the sheeple need to help them figure things out. Looks like Davis will get about 47% and Arnie will get about 30%, so under our system of government, of course, Arnie will be declared the winner! We're number one, we're number one.... Go Democracy!!!