Monday, March 1, 2010

Alpert-Blumenthal

Debates are tricky things. There was no one, debate coaches for example, at the University of Hartford to formally score the debate between Merrick Alpert and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. But no one need wait for this to attempt to answer the question “Who won?

Answers please.

9 comments:

  1. Tuned in halfway through...Blumenthal looked uncomfortable and ill at ease, and sounded too mechanical when reciting his talking points. Alpert was relaxed and had no problem telling people what he believes.

    An outside observer not knowing anything about either of them would have to conclude Alpert is the better candidate.

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  2. >>conclude Alpert is the better candidate.

    He did enjoy I thought a superior presence.

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  3. Wow! Christine Stuart thinks Alpert won - and to a progressive, he does sound awfully good:

    "Longshot U.S. Senate candidate Merrick Alpert came out swinging Monday and at least appeared to have had frontrunner Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on the ropes during their first televised debate.

    From healthcare to the war in Afghanistan, Alpert presented himself as a change agent and painted Blumenthal as an “incrementalist” who has contributed the state’s anti-business reputation with his lawsuits.

    “For me, incrementalism is not necessarily a dirty word,” Blumenthal countered. And filing those lawsuits helps level the playing field for businesses in the state, he added.

    “I think incrementalism is a dirty word … incrementalism is the darling of career politicians,” Alpert said.

    The hour-long exchange between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Alpert and Blumenthal took place Monday evening at a half-full theater on the University of Hartford campus.

    Both candidates were given two minutes to answer questions on a everything from jobs to foreign policy. Then each was given a one-minute rebuttal.

    On healthcare, Alpert said he supports a Medicare for all or a single-payer system. In a single-payer system, everyone is covered because everyone pays into the system, thus lowering costs..."

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  4. >>at a half-full theater on the University of Hartford campus.

    half-full??

    I called immediately for tickets to tonight's debate only to learn they were "sold out" in under 15 minutes.

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  6. Here are a bunch of comments:

    http://donpesci.blogspot.com/2010/03/alpert-blumenthal-debate.html

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  7. Did Blumenthal really say this? What a crock!

    “Our lawsuits, our legal actions actually create jobs because businesses actually welcome competition and a level playing field. What they really want is fair enforcement.”

    http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OWU1YzAzZjgyZjExYzM5MjU4MjkwMjExMzdjMDRiMDI=

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  8. "On healthcare, Alpert said he supports a Medicare for all or a single-payer system. In a single-payer system, everyone is covered because everyone pays into the system, thus lowering costs..."

    Ok... Where does Blumenthal stand on these issues?

    A plurality of Americans (and Nutmeggers) support a public option, and I suspect they think it should be a Medicare buy in considering how popular it is. And a Single Payer system is supported by a majority of Nutmeggers.

    Did Blumenthal make any statements on Healthcare Reform?

    Don't really care where the Republican Donut Holes stand on healthcare since all they will do is overspend by throwing taxpayer dollars at the problem (and corporations) and not solve anything while increasing our national debt exponentially. All they have ever done since the days of Reagan.

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  9. CT Man, the only governmental health care plan I have ever heard of that came in under budget and worked as planned was W's extension of Medicaid Part D pharma benefits.

    So much for "throwing...dollars" and not solving anything. Now if you want to talk about throwing dollars at a problem and not solving ANYTHING, take a look at downtown Bridgeport, Waterbury and Hartford, recall they were safe and prosperous in 1965, and reflect upon the wastage that been wrought by the Democrats previous Holy Grail, Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The expenditure of TRILLIONS of welfare dollars led not to Nirvava for the underclass, but rather the ruinataion of the black family, the inner city and many millions of lives. NOW go ahead and pursure your next Holy Grail, universal public option health care, and watch where the best intentions lead us.

    And your polling is wrong -- most Americans oppose the public option ONCE IT IS EXPLAINED TO THEM. Some pollsters just ask, "Do you want the public option?", and get a yes majority, but after explaining what that means, the response is always a majority no.

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