DEBATE DISCUSSION: How do you think the candidates did?
Published: October 3, 2008
Updated: October 3, 2008
Click here to see a slideshow from the debate
Share your thoughts below! Who impressed you? Did any remarks shock you? Did the debate help you decide who to vote for? Was there anything they didn’t discuss that you want to know about? Let us know!
Reader Reactions
I’d first like to comment that I felt the debate format was too short with regards to the time allotted to each candidate for answers (which I believed led to Mr Warner being perceived “pushy” by a few posters). I was once again impressed with Mark Warner’s plan of action for the state of Virginia and felt that Mr. Gilmore was once again a “one trick pony”. During Gilmores Governance it was 4 years of the “gas tax” and it seems like he wants his attempt at the senate to be 4 years of the “bailout package is wrong”. I find it ironic that Mr Gilmore is so adamant about saving our tax dollars from the economic bailout package, but he had no problem wasting all of our tax dollars running our state to near bankruptcy.
IMO it’s simple. Look at the state of Virginia after Gilmore’s administration vs how it looked after Mark Warner’s.
While I appreciate WSLS hosting this event, I thought the venue was a very poor choice because the acoustics were horrible. I was anxious to hear the debate, but the sound quality was distracting. I agree with Sgt. Mom that “Mr Warner was rude, pushy, and just couldn’t shut up when his time was over.“ I found his overly aggressive demeanor offensive.
This forum is way too short to discuss all of the facts- the fact is this: Democrats believe in bigger government, taxing and spending, spending and taxing, then blaming everyone else for the economy. Go to your senators and congressman’s website- the record is clear to those who want to know the facts!
I urge anyone who has only live in VA for 4 yrs to do some research and not decide on who to vote for based solely on this debate. Mark Warner made some difficult decisions and turned this state around after Jim Gilemore almost ruined us. He touted his car tax as some major accomplishment - in truth it cost us way more than it saved us. All Gilmore did last night was squak about the bailout package. None of us like it, but many of us realize that to do nothing is far worse than something. It is a shame that our country’s “leaders” saw fit to rob the citizens yet again by attaching all the pork to this bailout package. We need folks with a real sense of fiscal responsibility in Washington if this country is to survive. The current administration’s policies are choking this country from Main St now to Wall St. Too bad they didn’t care that Main St has been dying for the last several years. Why did it have to get to Wall St to get their attention???? They are supposed to be governing for the people. Mark Warner has proven he has the fiscal discipline to make the kind of changes this country will need to move us forward. Jim Gilmore (and John McCain) are too steeped in the past to lead us in the future.
Honestly, I don’t know where Jay Warren gets his patience from. Mr Warner was rude, pushy, and just couldn’t shut up when his time was over. On the other hand, if Mr Gilmore had whined about the bailout one more time! If I had been the moderator I would have cuffed both of them over the head, probably more than once. Compared to the calibur of debates we have seen recently at the national level, both these debaters were pitiful. I commend Jay and the panel for making the best of what had to be an embarassing situation for them.
At the end of the day I’ll be voting for the person I feel can best work with Senator Webb to look after Virginian interests in Washington.
FORGET THE PROMISES! AS MOM ALWAYS SAID, “THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING” LOOK AT WHAT EACH DID WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE. GILMORE CAME CLOSE TO BANKRUPTING THE STATE-MARK WARNER LED THE “BEST GOVERNED STATE IN THE US” AS MOM ALSO SAID, “FOOL ME ONCE” BUT I DON’T THINK THERE WILL BE A “FOOL ME TWICE” WITH GILMORE. MARK WARNER HAS MY VOTE AND GRATITUDE FOR RUNNING.
I’ve only lived in Virginia for four years and didn’t know anything about either canidate prior to this debate.
I have to say the Mr. Gilmore was a breath of fresh air and secured my vote come November. I appreciate people that take a stand and don’t double speak around issues. I really like his stance on earmarks and that would have to be the deal sealer for me.
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