10/19/2006 7:58PM
Connecticut Senate Candidate Debate Notes
(the day after)
- Whoever was responsible for setting up the mics and audio should be shot. A nasty 60 cycle hum permeates the audio when candidates speak, save for Joe Lieberman and Ralph Ferrucci (Green Party Candidate). Maybe Joe paid someone off here?
- Alan Schlesinger actually comes off as articulate and well informed, if a bit over the top at times. He was also the only candidate willing to show any emotion or sense of humor.
- Ned Lamont actually comes off as credible and well informed, if a bit strident at times. He did the best job to date showing why and how he beat Lieberman in the Democratic Primary in August.
- Joe Lieberman's brain was pre-loaded with everything he and his handlers believe people want to hear from him prior to the debate. The "on" button was pressed and he was pushed onstage. They should have timed his shpeils beforehand, he frequently went over the time limit.
- Timothy Knibbs actually comes off as a concerned citizen, which ironically is also his party affiliation. He may have locked up the Average Joe vote with his performance. He looks like a truck driver (not his actual job).
- Watching Ferrucci talk is like watching a bobble head doll, which is disorienting. Idealistic and naive, he will win the "hottie" vote in November. He does not look like a truck driver (his actual job).
- Knibbs and Ferrucci were willing to go out on a limb and tell it like it is, mostly because they know they are underdogs and have little to lose in a forum like this.
- Schlesinger held his own with front runners Lieberman and Lamont. He will definitely siphon off some Lieberman votes and may turn the race into a dead heat by election day.
- Bob Schieffer did a great job reining in the debaters and the audience, and a terrible job identifying who would be asking the next question and the URL of the TV station website where the debate video is archived for viewing (it's wfsb.com, Bob, not wsfb.com). Overall he showed why he would be a suitable replacement for Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News.
